How can you tell if someone is mentally deteriorating?

Examples of signs and symptoms include:
  1. Feeling sad or down.
  2. Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate.
  3. Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt.
  4. Extreme mood changes of highs and lows.
  5. Withdrawal from friends and activities.
  6. Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping.


What are the five main warning signs of mental illness?

Adults and Adolescents
  • Excessive worrying or fear.
  • Feeling excessively sad or low.
  • Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning.
  • Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria.
  • Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger.
  • Avoiding friends and social activities.


What happens when your mental health is deteriorating?

Worsening physical symptoms.

Depression and anxiety can bring on physical side effects, including sweating, rapid heart rate, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, and headache. If physical symptoms come on suddenly with no other medical cause, it could be a sign that your mental health is declining.


What is mentally deteriorating?

Deterioration refers to “a condition that is gradually worsening” [22]. In this review, an indicator of mental health deterioration will be defined as a “change for the worse to mental state”, measured by negative changes in mood, behaviour, affect, thought, perception and cognition [16].

What to do if someone's mental health is deteriorating?

If they can keep themselves safe for a little while

Or you could help them make an emergency GP appointment to see a doctor soon. You can also encourage them to call Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone, 24 hours a day. Or you could suggest they try another helpline or listening service.


6 Subtle Signs Your Mental Health is Deteriorating



What does poor mental health look like?

Finding it difficult to manage how we think, feel, act with respect to daily stresses could be a sign of poor mental health. Having continuous episodes of mental ill health could indicate a problem. It is important to remember that poor mental health is common. This does not mean someone is mentally ill.

How does a mentally ill person behave?

The outward signs of a mental illness are often behavioral. A person may be extremely quiet or withdrawn. Conversely, they may burst into tears, have great anxiety or have outbursts of anger. Even after treatment has started, someindividuals with a mental illness can exhibit anti-social behaviors.

What might worsen a person's mental health?

What causes mental health problems?
  • childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect.
  • social isolation or loneliness.
  • experiencing discrimination and stigma, including racism.
  • social disadvantage, poverty or debt.
  • bereavement (losing someone close to you)
  • severe or long-term stress.
  • having a long-term physical health condition.


How do you deal with a mentally unstable family member?

Clear, honest communication is crucial for all family members. For example, don't be afraid to ask both your ill and healthy children how they feel about the changes to the family. Keeping a line of communication open will help things go more smoothly—both at the time of a new diagnosis, and well into the future.

What are the 7 signs of a mental disorder?

7 Signs of a Mental Health Condition
  • Change in feelings or demeanor. ...
  • Loss of interest. ...
  • Change in sleeping habits. ...
  • Low energy. ...
  • Difficulty interacting. ...
  • Appetite or weight changes. ...
  • Uncontrollable emotions.


What is considered mentally unstable?

An inability to cope with problems or daily activities. Feeling of disconnection or withdrawal from normal activities. Unusual or "magical" thinking. Excessive anxiety. Prolonged sadness, depression or apathy.


What are three triggers for mental health issues?

Understanding Triggers
  • External triggers: Think senses - sounds, sights, smells, textures that elicit responses based on past experiences. ...
  • Internal triggers: Strong feelings that arise based on past experiences. ...
  • Trauma triggers: Strong feelings that arise based on past trauma.


When should you walk away from someone with mental illness?

When Is It Time to Walk Away? In some cases, the decision to leave is obvious. If physical abuse is present to any degree, and especially if the individual fears for their own life or well-being or that of their children, it's important to leave as soon as possible. Safety is the number one priority.

What not to say to someone with mental illness?

10 things not to say to someone with a mental illness
  1. “It's all in your head.” ...
  2. “Come on, things could be worse!” ...
  3. “Snap out of it!” ...
  4. “But you have a great life, you always seem so happy!” ...
  5. “Have you tried chamomile tea?” ...
  6. “Everyone is a little down/moody/OCD sometimes – it's normal.” ...
  7. “This too shall pass.”


How do you comfort a mentally unstable person?

Genuinely express your concern. Offer your support and connect them to help if you feel that they need it. Ask, “How can I help?” if appropriate, or even, “Can I pray with you now?” if appropriate. Give the person hope for recovery, offer encouragement and prayers.

What is the most serious form of mental illness?

By all accounts, serious mental illnesses include “schizophrenia-spectrum disorders,” “severe bipolar disorder,” and “severe major depression” as specifically and narrowly defined in DSM. People with those disorders comprise the bulk of those with serious mental illness.

Does mental illness come from the mother or father?

You might worry that you could develop or 'catch' the same illness as your ill parent – but you cannot catch a mental illness from anyone. People might say 'it runs in families' or talk about the genetics or genes causing the illness.


What are the most severe forms of mental illness?

What are Serious Mental Illnesses?
  • Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. ...
  • Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental disorders. ...
  • Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that causes people to interpret reality abnormally.


What is the average lifespan of a mentally ill person?

According to the World Health Organization, people with severe mental health disorders have a 10–25-year reduction in life expectancy. Schizophrenia mortality rates are between 2 and 2.5 times those in the general population, while individuals with depression have a 1.8 times higher risk of premature mortality.

How do you help someone who doesn't want help?

But you can still be there for your friend; you might just need to take a different approach to the way you're supporting them.
  1. Be available. Continue to be supportive. ...
  2. Offer help. ...
  3. Become informed. ...
  4. Talk to someone yourself. ...
  5. Set boundaries. ...
  6. Don't force the issue or put pressure on them. ...
  7. Don't avoid them.


What causes drastic personality changes?

Personality changes can be caused by a mental illness like depression, bipolar disorder, or personality disorders. It may also be caused by physical illnesses like a urinary tract infection (especially in older adults), concussion, or brain tumor. Understanding the cause can help create an effective treatment.

Does mental illness run in families?

Certain mental disorders tend to run in families, and having a close relative with a mental disorder could mean you are at a higher risk. If a family member has a mental disorder, it does not necessarily mean you will develop one. Many other factors also play a role.

What are the top 3 most common mental illnesses?

The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder.


What are trigger words?

Trigger words and phrases are those that cause a listener to feel strong emotions because of previous experiences. While the phrase is used in a number of different ways, we're using it here as many people now do, to refer to words or phrases that trigger memories and emotions from traumatic events.

What is the difference between mentally and emotionally unstable?

However, how can they tell the difference? Regarding behavior, people who suffer mentally may withdraw from friends and family members. This makes it harder to understand their problems. People with emotional issues may struggle with healthy boundaries and might be codependent on their loved ones.