Symptoms of mental health conditions vary.
Mood swings and feeling angry or sad are warning signs that you may be struggling with a mood disorder.
Or you may notice behavior changeslike social isolation or self-destructive behaviorsin loved ones with a mental health condition.
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Extreme Mood Swings
Mood swings involve rapid and intense changes in how you feel.
You may rapidly cycle between feelings of elation, anger, irritability, sadness, or indifference.
Mood swings may occur in a wide range of mood disorders and mental health conditions.
A pediatrician may refer you to a mental health specialist or psychiatrist.
Excessive Anxiety or Anger
Excessive anxiety or anger that disrupts daily life can be a sign of ananxiety disorder.
Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.
Overwhelming Sadness
All-consuming, uncontrollable sadness is a hallmark of depression.
You may feel emptiness, hopelessness, and pessimism, a feeling that everything is going wrong.
Severe cases can lead tosuicidal ideation(suicidal thoughts).
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
In children, signs of hyperactivity include:
8.
Appetite Changes
You may find it difficult to eat and will consume very little food.
Or, you may compulsively eat, even when you’re not hungry, and feel out of control.
Both instances are examples ofeating disorders.
Sleep Changes
Sleep iscrucial for mental health.Sleep problems contribute to mental health conditions, and vice versa.
Stressful feelingsworry, tension, and anxietybecome intense and dont go away.
They impact relationships, school or work, and daily life.
In young children, increased physical sensitivity causes crankiness, tantrums, crying, and defiant behaviors.
Typical signs include a lack of motivation and indifference to favored activities, friends, or family.
Children with this condition lose interest in their favorite toys, games, friends, or other interests.
However, these behaviors worsen mental health conditions.
Delusions or Hallucinations
Mental health conditions also cause delusions, false beliefs, and hallucinations.
Children may quickly shift from topic to topic when talking, or they will contradict themselves.
Who Treats Mental Health Conditions?
Several types of health professionals treat mental health conditions, including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and counselors.
Pediatricians, child psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health counselors can treat mental health in children.
Summary
Mental health conditions can cause a range of effects on the mind and body.
Common signs include severe mood swings, irritation, confusion, and withdrawal from others.
Contact a healthcare provider if mental health symptoms persist and disrupt your ability to function.
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