Mental Disorder Symptoms

Each type of mental illness causes its own symptoms, but many share common characteristics. Common signs include:

• Not eating enough, or overeating
• Insomnia, or sleeping too much
• Distancing yourself from other people and from activities you used to enjoy
• Fatigue even after enough sleep
• Feeling numb, or lacking empathy
• Unexplained body pains or aches
• Feeling hopeless, helpless or lost
• Smoking, drinking or using drugs more than before
• Confusion, forgetfulness, irritability, anger, anxiety, sadness or fright
• Constantly fighting or arguing with friends and family
• Extreme mood swings that cause relationship problems
• Constant flashbacks, or thoughts you cannot get out of your head
• Hearing voices you cannot stop
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others
• Being unable to carry out day-to-day activities

Stress and periods of emotional distress can bring on an episode of symptoms, making it difficult to maintain normal behaviour and activities. This is sometimes called a nervous or mental breakdown.

These symptoms often get worse if they are left alone. If you recognise several of them in yourself or someone close to you, that is reason enough to book a consultation.