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Six Warning Signs of Mental Illness

  1. Radical Change in Behavior
    John is usually easy-going and verbal. During the past few weeks he has an emotional "hair-trigger". He is short tempered and withdrawn.

    2. Sally is usually competent and responsible. Lately, she has trouble making even the smallest decision. Everyday occurrences become a crisis.

  2. A Dramatic Shift in Life Patterns
    Lind has trouble sleeping. She either can't get to sleep or she wakes in the middle of the night.

    3. Tom's eating habits have changed significantly. He has lost interest in food and is losing weight rapidly. (This is not occurring as part of a planned and medically supervised diet).

    Helene's adolescent daughter alternates between eating binges and subsequent vomiting and fasting.

  3. Feelings of Hopelessness and Despair
    "What's the use, nothing is ever going to change?" This exemplifies Rich's attitude. He feels trapped and worthless. Nothing gives him pleasure.

    4. Connie is staying home from work. She has been neglecting her family and household responsibilities. She complains of a general malaise but her physician has found no medical basis for her deteriorating behavior.

  4. A Prolonged Negative Response to a Tragic Occurrence
    Nancy has been a widow for a year. She has isolated herself from family, friends and community activities.

    5. A certain amount of grieving is necessary and important. However, some evidence of re-adaptation should be evident within a six to twelve month period following the loss or tragedy.

  5. Marital Stress
    Mary says her husband is never available. She feels alone and without support in bringing up the children.

    6. Jane and Bob quarrel constantly. The subjects vary between money, kids, friends, relatives. During their fights they hurl insults and accusations. Their children are becoming increasingly tense and their schoolwork is suffering.

  6. Substance Abuse
    Phil is no longer a social drinker. At parties he becomes drunk. There are hints that he is aggressive toward his wife and family. His wife feels overwhelmed.

Mildred was taking painkillers and sleeping pills for a bad back. She now finds that she needs an amphetamine to start the day and a tranquilizer to end it. She has unwittingly become an addict.

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