What Does Mental Illness Look Like?
In its most common form, mental illness is invisible. Someone struggling with mental illness can look happy on the outside, while deep down, they are really struggling. Mental illness is the master of hiding in plain sight. It seamlessly crosses the boundaries of age, race, gender and economic status. As a society, it is important that we learn how to recognize when someone is struggling with mental illness.
Here are some common signs of mental illness:
· Avoiding friends and family
· Excessive sadness, moodiness, aggression, etc.
· Difficulty in carrying out daily activities (waking up, going to work, taking a shower, eating)
· Drug or alcohol use
· Suicidal comments
· Changes in work or school performance
The CBT approach can help those who struggle with mental illness recognize and reevaluate their negative ways of thinking. They will learn problem-solving skills to help manage those hard times and give them tools to help turn negative thoughts into positive actions.
If you suspect that your friend or loved one is struggling with a mental illness, figuring out how to help them can be difficult. A strong support system for the person struggling with a mental illness is just as important as them receiving professional help.
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