By Hadley Gavin
Serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder rarely appear suddenly. Usually, families and friends can recognize small changes in the sufferer before the illness appears in its full-blown form. Being able to recognize these symptoms or early warning signs allows loved ones to get the necessary help for the sufferer. Early intervention can help minimize the seriousness of an illness and ensure the sufferer gets the necessary treatment for mental health in Minnesota. Below are the most common signs your loved one may need mental health treatment:
Constant Replay of a Traumatic Experience
If a person experiences a traumatic event, their brain produces stress hormones that may elevate their blood sugar, adrenaline, or heart rate, putting them in a hyper state of alert. Although the body may return to normal soon after, sometimes, it can take longer. And if the trauma is prolonged and repeated, the brain may stay in that hyper-alert state. If your loved one is having this experience, they may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, which is treatable.
Excessive Anxiety
Occasional worries and anxieties are not bad. Worries help people get to work on time and do what they can to keep their kids safe. However, excessive worry and anxiety that tend to occur constantly may indicate an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, the sufferer may have tried some techniques such as exercise, yoga, and medication to fight their stress and anxiety but still haven’t found relief. If this is the case with your loved one, it might be best to seek professional mental health treatment.
Social Withdrawal
Some people use their time alone to reset and recharge before they socialize with others again. However, if this alone time results in further withdrawal and disconnection from family, friends, and activities they used to enjoy, this could be a sign of a mental health problem. Usually, isolation is a symptom of depression, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions that require professional treatment.
Substance Abuse
A lot of those with mental health disorders tend to abuse alcohol or other substances to cope with their condition. For example, a person with bipolar symptoms may consume alcohol to calm themselves during a manic phase. In some instances, the substance abuse even causes the symptoms of a mental illness to get worse or results in further disorders like addiction. If your loved one is suffering from both substance abuse and mental illness, dual diagnosis treatment is available.
