Mental illness is pervasive throughout society and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 60 million U.S. adults ages 18 and older have a mental illness each year, with almost half suffering from two or more illnesses. Psychiatrists use the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition," also known as the DSM-IV, to diagnose mental illness.
Onset
The scientific research team at Harvard Medical School headed by Ronald Kessler discovered that about half of Americans will have a DSM-IV mental illness sometime in their life, and that the first onset occurs in childhood or adolescence. According to Mental Health America, the signs of mental illness may vary between children, adolescents and adults. People with signs of mental illness should see a mental health professional to determine if their symptoms meet the criteria for a specific DSM-IV mental illness.
Young Children
It is not easy to see mental illness signs in young children, in part because they may not share or communicate their covert experiences, such as excessive worry, anxiety and persistent nightmares. Some of the overt mental illness signs in young children include hyperactivity, aggression and frequent disobedience and temper tantrums. These signs could also lead to changes in performance at school, ability to play or interactions with other children and adults.
Adolescents
Mental illness signs in adolescents can be misconstrued as part of their normal growth. Nonetheless some of the overt mental illness signs include frequent outbursts of anger, defiance of authority, excessive complaints of physical ailments and substance abuse. Adolescents with mental illness may also have difficulty coping with daily activities or problems, experience changes in sleeping or eating habits, develop a fear of gaining weight or may be in a prolonged negative mood with thoughts of hopelessness and suicide.
Adults
Adults may deny or underestimate problems associated with mental illness. Nonetheless, adults may experience mental illness signs that include excessive fears and worry, persistent sadness, dramatic changes in sleep, social withdrawal, angry outbursts, substance abuse and inability to deal with daily problems and activities. More serious mental illness signs include confused thinking, delusions, hallucinations and thoughts of suicide. When several of these mental illness signs are concurrent, co-morbidity of two or more mental illnesses may manifest.
Diagnosis
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is difficult to determine that a person has a mental health illness based solely on a set of signs or symptoms. Diagnosis of mental illness is determined through a multidimensional assessment that includes observable signs and symptoms, the course and duration of these signs and symptoms, degree of functional impairment and response to treatment. People with mental illness signs should see a mental health professional for advice.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; Lifetime Prevalence Age-of-Onset Distributions; Kessler, R.C.; June 2005
- Mental Health America: Factsheet: Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope
- National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Health--A Report by the Surgeon General
