There can be a wide range of reasons that can affect mental health of an individual and these reasons affect mood, thinking, and overall behavior. Some common reasons include anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia), and schizophrenia. What makes these situations even more difficult is that most families are not prepared to cope with learning that their loved ones have a mental illness. Millions of people suffer from different types and severities of mental health disorders each day. In fact, as we learn more about different types of mental health disorders, we are beginning to realize how common it is to suffer from mental illness, and how treatable mental illness is if properly identified and addressed. There are times when someone might function relatively well, but then they experience a loss — of a job, a loved one, of finances or of structure — and then they start to crumble. If you have the emotional bandwidth, there are certain small signs and signals you can look for in your friends and family to figure out if they need help, support, or just someone to talk to.

Keep these 5 signs of mental illness in mind and see if you or someone in your life might need to seek help:

1. Withdrawal From Social Activities:

Behavioral Signs : Have there been changes in your friend's/relative’s typical routines or behaviors? Mental illness can negatively impact socialization in many ways. For instance, depression can make every action seem exhausting and deprive someone of the energy they need to take part in social interactions. 2. Energy Levels:

Physical signs : Changes in sleep, energy levels or appetite may indicate a problem. Is your friend’s speech slower than normal? With severe clinical depression your energy levels get so low that you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning or carrying through your basic activities of daily living. 3. When They Start Joking About Suicide:

Cognitive signs: What thoughts are going through their minds? Are they nihilistic, negative, critical or judgmental? Suicidal ideation with no intent to act on is a common coping mechanism for many. However, coping mechanisms only come into play when you need to cope with something. If someone you know starts making jokes about suicide too frequently, make sure you ask them and help them out if needed. 4. Feeling depressed or unhappy:

Emotional signs: Fear, anxiety, depression and anger are emotional warning signs Signs of depression include being sad or irritable for continued periods, lacking in motivation and energy, losing interest in a hobby or being teary all the time. 5. Sleep problems:

Spiritual signs: Does someone you know is feeling helpless, hopeless or guilty? Lasting changes to a person’s sleep patterns could be a symptom of a mental health disorder. For example, insomnia could be a sign of anxiety or substance abuse. Sleeping too much or too little could indicate depression or a sleeping disorder. Mental health in general refers to the general state of how you regulate your behavior, feelings, and thoughts. There’s no standard for measuring what’s normal for you versus what could be a reason for concern in someone else, but poor mental health could negatively affect: - How well you get along with family and friends - Your productivity at work or school - Your interest in activities, social settings, and other situations - Energy levels. Being physically and emotionally healthy helps you to help others.It is important to remember that there is hope for recovery and that with Yoga, Meditation, Pranayam and a dedicated Yoga Teacher or Yog Therapist, many people with mental illness can return to a productive and fulfilling life.

undefined