{"id":16286,"date":"2020-04-22T05:16:12","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T05:16:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=16286"},"modified":"2021-05-07T18:37:38","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T18:37:38","slug":"14-frequent-symptoms-of-mental-illness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-frequent-symptoms-of-mental-illness\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Symptoms of Mental Illness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot of talk about mental illness. People who suffer from mental illness often suffer in silence. Many people do not even realize that it is a mental health issue that is causing them to experience other health issues as well. However, what is often not mentioned when discussing mental illness are some of the symptoms that are associated with the various forms of these diseases. In fact, someone suffering from a mental illness will often have physical symptoms as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These physical symptoms are not something that should ever be ignored. In some cases, a chronic health issue might be the cause of a mental health issue. Studies show that mental illness may manifest in many ways. This includes changes in behavior such as improper dieting or risk-taking, which can impact a person\u2019s overall health and lead to complications or even a shortened lifespan. Here are 14 frequent symptoms of mental illness that should be considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Obesity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons that a person might become obese<\/a>. The obvious reason is the poor diet choices. However, many people that suffer from a mental illness will also end up obese. Studies show that people who suffer from severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are at a higher risk of having a higher body mass. In fact, people who suffer from these mental illnesses might end up with a body mass index of over thirty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who suffer from schizophrenia are 3.5 times as likely to become obese. People who suffer from bipolar disorder are 1.5 times as likely to become obese. This problem stems from lifestyle choices. People who are depressed tend to exercise less and will often eat more. Additionally, there are some medications that are used for treating these disorders that can lead to weight gain as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Feeling tired is something that almost everyone experiences. However, fatigue <\/a>is something a bit different. When a person feels fatigued, they lack the motivation to do anything. People who are experiencing the symptom of fatigue may not ever feel like they are getting enough rest, no matter how much they actually sleep. Fatigue is a common symptom of many different ailments, including mental illnesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental illness is more than just feeling distressed or sad. These mental disorders can cause a person to have difficulty sleeping, which results in even lower energy. Insomnia leads to feeling even more tired. Chronic fatigue syndrome and depression are often mistaken for each other. However, these two illnesses can exist at the same time. One may result in the other at times. If you are suffering from severe fatigue, finding out the underlying cause is important. It could be a mental health issue or another underlying health issue that is the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Chronic Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Everyone has aches and pains from time to time. In fact, there are some people who simply experience pain all of the time. People who suffer from chronic pain may write it off as just a sign of getting older, sleeping wrong, or something else. However, chronic pain is a common symptom of those who suffer from a mental illness. Being in pain, all of the time can cause a person to become depressed<\/a>. These feelings of sadness can often make the pain even worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes down to it, a hurting mind and a hurting body will often require the same type of treatment. According to Harvard Medical School, those who suffer from chronic pain are at three times higher risk of developing mental health problems. Those who suffer from depression are three times as likely to develop chronic pain. This is one symptom that can go either way when it comes to mental and physical health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Tics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A tic <\/a>is defined as a controllable response to an urge to contracting the muscles. Twitches are typically an involuntary spasm. People who are suffering from a mental illness will often have a tic or a twitch. This twitch could be something as small as the tapping of a finger or a toe or as large as shaking your entire leg. At times, when a person is suffering from a twitch or a tic, they may think that there is a larger problem that is the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of thinking can lead to a person feeling anxious and unsure, which might result in further mental health issues. Twitches are a sign of anxiety, but in some instances, it can be a sign that there is nerve damage or that a person is suffering from MS. If you notice that you are twitching quite often and you have little control over the spasms, it is important to talk to a doctor about the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Sinus Problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many health issues can cause a person to develop issues with their sinuses<\/a>. A common cold can cause a person to suffer issues with their noses. However, one study conducted by Psychology Today explains that chronic sinus issues are linked to depression. In fact, nearly a quarter of people who suffer from chronic sinusitis are also affected by depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinusitis can be quite bothersome as it makes you feel like you cannot breathe normally at all. Those who suffer from sinusitis might feel like they are always stuffy and that there is pressure in the facial area. In the case of mental illness, a person who suffers from depression might also experience sinus issues as the mental health issue is triggering a physical response. This can intensify feelings of sadness, which makes the ailment even harder to deal with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Nausea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nausea <\/a>can be a sign of many different types of illnesses. Everything from eating something that does not agree with you to take a certain medication might cause a person to feel nauseous. However, what many people do not realize is that when you feel sick to your stomach, it can be a sign that your mind is not operating at its best. It is typical for a person who is feeling nauseous to seek treatment for gastrointestinal disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, there might be an underlying physical issue that is causing this sickness to occur. However, before going to extremes to treat a gastrointestinal disorder, it is also a good idea to be checked for depression or anxiety. Many people who suffer from these types of mental disorders will experience sickness in their stomach quite often. The nausea is actually a symptom of a mental health issue, and once proper treatment for it is discovered, a person will likely notice that they are no longer nauseous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Weight Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Obesity is quite common among people with mental health issues. However, in the same regard, a person suffering from certain mental health issues may lose weight. Some people who suffer from depression and anxiety will lose weight <\/a>without really trying. The reason that this may occur is that people who suffer from anxiety or depression will often lose interest in things that they once enjoyed. This loss of enjoyment includes food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depression can disrupt hormones in the body. These hormones are what tell us when we are full, and when we are hungry. When this system is disrupted, it can cause a person to simply stop eating for periods of time or just eat every once in a while. If you notice that you have been losing weight and are not even trying or that you simply do not have an appetite anymore, talk to your doctor to determine the underlying cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Headaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another symptom that a person suffering from a mental illness might have is headaches<\/a>. Of course, many different ailments can cause a person to experience headaches. Simple dehydration is one of the main reasons a person might get a headache. There are other reasons a person might suffer from headaches, as well. However, a person who is suffering from a mental illness will often experience headaches quite frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several mental disorders cause a lower activity of the enzymes that are responsible for deactivating chemicals in the brain. People who suffer from depression and anxiety often report that they experience headaches quite often. The headaches are typically very severe and can last for several days at a time. A proper diagnosis can help alleviate some of the pain that is associated with these headaches, which is why it is important to seek medical care if you are experiencing headaches frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Skin Irritation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One study that was completed in Norway found an association between eczema <\/a>and depression and lower levels of omega-three fatty acids. One of the reasons that a person suffering from depression may also experience skin disorders such as eczema is because these mental illnesses can increase stress. When a person is feeling stress, the body will release cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that can cause the skin to produce more oil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the skin is producing more oil, it can lead to rashes and other skin ailments. If you notice a rash on your skin, it is important to make sure that you discuss it with your doctor. There are many reasons that you might have a rash, and one is that you are suffering mentally. Talking your situation over with a medical professional is the best way to determine the cause of your rash and any other symptom that you might be experiencing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Cavities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There has been a link to mental health issues and cavities. Depression is one of the main mental health disorders that might cause a person to experience cavities. The main reason for this is because people who are suffering from depression will often lose interest in basic everyday needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that a person might not be brushing their teeth as often as they should, because they simply do not have the energy <\/a>or the desire to do it. It really comes down to not caring about their personal well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, some of the medications that are often prescribed for mental illnesses might cause a person to experience gum disease, dry mouth, and cavities. People who are taking antidepressants and other medications for a mental disorder need to make sure that they are practicing good oral hygiene as these medications might result in tooth decay and other dental issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Adrenaline Rush<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety <\/a>attacks can be quite awful. During an anxiety attack, a person is typically mentally triggered. However, the physical aspect of these types of attacks can be quite frightening. A person suffering from an anxiety attack may have difficulty breathing, feel hot or cold, or simply not be able to control their body in any way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the body becomes anxious, adrenaline is released. When there is too much adrenaline in the body, the flight or fight response is activated. This adrenaline rush is what causes a person to feel their heart beating rapidly, shortness of breath, and muscle tenseness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone responds differently to an adrenaline rush, and the cause of this will vary. If you are experiencing this type of attack regularly, it is important to make sure that you seek proper medical treatment to help alleviate some of the symptoms that you are experiencing. Knowing your mental triggers can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Jaw Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A person suffering from a mental illness might experience pain throughout their body. One thing that many people suffering from mental illness experience is a pain in their jaws. Often, a person with a mental illness will develop a condition that is called temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons for this is because people who suffer from a mental illness are more likely to clench their jaws or grind their teeth. Each of these actions can cause the muscles of the jaw to tense up. When the jaw is often clenched, the muscles <\/a>might become tight, which can cause a person to experience pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, the extra activities that the jaw is seeing during this time can cause the area to become inflamed. There are other reasons that a person might develop TMJ, but quite often, this condition goes along with having some type of mental illness as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Sweating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you exercise or are out on a hot day, you expect to sweat. However, there might be times when a person seems to be sweating <\/a>for no reason. Excessive or unexplained sweating has been linked to mental illness. People who tend to sweat a lot are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition according to research conducted by the University of British Columbia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that it is not clear whether or not the sweating is a result of a mental health condition or if the physical symptoms are triggering anxiety or depression. Getting your excessive sweating under control is not likely to help you overcome any mental health challenges that you are facing. However, getting your mental health back in order might be able to help you overcome excessive and unexplained sweating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Swelling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling <\/a>is a fairly common symptom of many issues. Your ankle might swell after you twist it on a step. Your knee might swell after a fall. However, those who suffer from mental illness might notice that their legs or arms are swelling for no reason. One of the reasons for this is because people who suffer from mental illness are often more hyper-aware of their bodies. They will notice any slight change in their body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, if you are suffering mentally, you might notice that parts of your body are swollen. Also, people who suffer from anxiety might notice that their mental condition is the cause of their swelling. Anxiety can cause swelling in the joints and the liver. This is often related to the body is under duress. Any time you notice that you have swelling in your body, it is important to elevate that area. It is also important to discuss this symptom with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>