Signs of mental illness include significant changes in mood (like persistent sadness, irritability, or extreme highs/lows), withdrawal from friends and activities, major shifts in sleep/eating patterns, difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, excessive fears/worries, detachment from reality (hallucinations/delusions), neglecting personal hygiene, and expressing suicidal thoughts, with these symptoms impacting daily life and functioning.
Signs that someone may be experiencing poor mental health
There are some general strategies that you can use to help:
Mental disorders
Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
Nervousness — Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling. Unusual behavior — Odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior. Changes in school or work — Increased absenteeism, worsening performance, difficulties in relationships with peers and co-workers.
The first stage of a mental breakdown, often starting subtly, involves feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and increasingly anxious or irritable, coupled with difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep/appetite, and withdrawing from activities or people that once brought joy, all stemming from intense stress that becomes too much to handle.
There's no single "hardest" mental illness, but Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Schizophrenia, and severe/treatment-resistant conditions like depression or bipolar disorder are frequently cited due to extreme emotional volatility, distorted reality, profound functional impairment, and significant impact on relationships and daily life, making them incredibly challenging to live with and manage. The difficulty often stems from intense internal pain, difficulty regulating emotions, social isolation, and the pervasive nature of symptoms.
Examples of signs and symptoms include:
What to Do If Someone Is Having a Mental Breakdown
You can only be given medication after an initial 3-month period in either of the following situations: You consent to taking the medication. A SOAD confirms that you lack capacity. You haven't given consent, but a SOAD confirms that this treatment is appropriate to be given.
Psychological evaluation
It's important for your doctor to ask about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. Doctors may vary their approach, but it can involve questionnaires or structured interviews to gather needed information about your mental state.
Don't: Pressure Them to “Snap Out of It”
Mental illness isn't something someone can just will away. Telling someone to “cheer up,” “be more positive,” or “push through it” can do more harm than good. Healing takes time, professional support, and often treatment. Your role isn't to fix them – it's to walk beside them.
Signs that a person might have or be developing a mental illness include:
For example, a person may:
Behavioral warning signs for psychosis include:
Life stressors such as divorce or trauma may add to the situation and cause a breakdown. Other factors that may affect mental health and cause a nervous breakdown are: lack of social support. slow build-up of stress.
Symptoms may include:
Ten common warning signs of a mental health crisis include extreme mood swings, withdrawal from friends/activities, significant sleep/appetite changes, increased substance use, difficulty concentrating, persistent hopelessness, major hygiene/appearance decline, excessive anxiety or anger, illogical thinking/hallucinations, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide, all indicating a person can't cope with daily life.
Q1: How do I know when it's time to walk away from someone with mental illness? If the relationship leaves you feeling unsafe, emotionally drained, or consistently unhappy despite support efforts, it may be time to step back and prioritize your well-being.
To tell if someone has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), look for patterns of intense mood swings, unstable relationships, a distorted self-image, chronic emptiness, impulsivity, intense anger, fear of abandonment, self-harm, and stress-related paranoia or dissociation; a diagnosis requires a mental health professional to assess at least five of these core symptoms, which often overlap with other conditions, making professional evaluation crucial.
According to psychology, there are specific personality types that are notoriously difficult to live with. These can include the passive-aggressive communicator, the relentless critic, or the energy-draining pessimist. However, recognizing these traits is the first step toward managing the stress they cause.
Five key warning signs of mental illness include significant mood changes (extreme highs/lows, persistent sadness), withdrawal from friends/activities, major changes in sleep or eating habits, difficulty coping with daily problems or stress, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide, alongside other indicators like substance abuse, confusion, or changes in hygiene. These signs often represent a noticeable shift in behavior, functioning, and emotional state that impacts daily life.
Emotional Breakdown Symptoms
Crippling anxiety is one of the hallmark signs of a nervous breakdown. It goes beyond everyday stress and can include persistent worry, panic attacks or an overwhelming sense of dread. This level of anxiety can interfere with daily activities and decision-making.
Common Mental Illness Warning Signs Include:
Persistent feeling sad, hopeless, or emotionally numb. Sudden or prolonged mood changes, including irritability or euphoria. Excessive fears or worrying, especially without clear cause. Withdrawal from friends, family members, and social activities.