What Are the Early Signs of Mental Illness?

Many mental health disorders have a gradual onset and the initial signs can be so subtle that they go unnoticed, especially if the individual themselves, or the people around them, don’t know what to look for. Some early signs of mental illness to be aware of are:

• Sleep or appetite changes
• Decline in personal care
• Rapid or dramatic mood changes
• Recent social withdrawal
• Lack of interest and apathy
• Decline in functioning at work, school or socially
• Problems with concentration or memory
• Oversensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch
• Avoidance of over-stimulating situations
• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
• Feeling disconnected
• Illogical or irrational thinking
• Nervousness and suspicion
• Over-reacting
• Odd or uncharacteristic behavior
• Troubled relationships
• Thoughts of harming yourself or others.