Signs of Mental Illness |
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The suspicion of the onset of any illness always arises either in the patient or in some person who is living with him or is close to him. This is as true of mental as of physical disease. Therefore the original indication of mental illness will usually be observed in the home or at a person's place of employment. The symptoms of mental disturbance are so many as to be beyond counting. They run the gamut from temper tantrums to hallucinations, from mild melancholy to juvenile delinquency, from headache to alcoholism, from a fear of cats to blindness. A certain amount of anxiety, discouragement, or uncertainty lies within the limits of normal behavior. Concern is justified, however, when such reactions are out of keeping with the severity of the circumstances that seem to trigger them, or when they persist long past the immediate impact of stress. Concern is justified when the symptoms are obviously out of keeping with reality, as are hallucinations, abnormal suspiciousness, or delusions. Concern is justified when a person's behavior is clearly self-defeating, as in someone who is drinking excessively, or using drugs without a physician's prescription, or engaged in activities that run counter to the broad dictates of society. Concern, finally, is justified when there is a change, slow or abrupt, in an individual's behavior or personality, and when that change persists. If such symptoms are not recognized by the patient himself so that he seeks help, it may be necessary for a friend or relative to take the first steps toward solution. As people begin to recognize how common mental illness is, and to realize what the physician and psychiatrist can do to treat it, fewer persons resist the idea that they or their relatives may have a mental illness. Yet this reluctance still persists to some extent. So do certain misconceptions. For example, contrary to popular prejudice, mentally ill persons are rarely violent. There is no need to fear them, as a rule. There are, of course, some who in their sickness manifest a wish to hurt other people, and they must be restrained so as to save them and others from their impulses. But on the whole, in the home, there is little reason to fear the mentally ill member of the family. There is no point in arguing with a mentally ill person. His thoughts are real to him. It is better simply t6 state that you know how he feels but perhaps he will feel differently when he feels better. With a mentally ill person it is imperative to be reassuring and encouraging, not critical and scoffing. Above all, no one should ever tell the mentally ill person that his troubles are just imaginary or that he should pull himself together and snap out of it. Often, particularly with depressed persons, such well-meant admonitions will merely increase their anxiety and guilt and make the illness worse. Mental illness is genuine illness; it will be no more cured by sarcastic advice than would a broken leg or pneumonia. Threats of suicide should always be taken seriously. There is a tragic misconception that people who say they are going to kill themselves never do. Quite the contrary is true; most people who commit suicide have warned others before of their intention. A threat of suicide is always a reason for taking immediate preventive action. |
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