Symptoms of mental illness
The signs and symptoms of mental illness differ according to the type and severity of condition. A symptom can also sometimes be mild and at other times more severe. A client may be focused and involved in one meeting but be unable to engage at the next.
Some common symptoms of mental illness are:
•a change in thinking or perception;
•reduced level of social functioning – eg, stops going to work, never returns calls, does not turn up to social events;
•changes in sleep patterns – eg, too much or too little;
•personal neglect – eg, unwashed hair, dirty clothes;
•feelings of hopelessness;
•suicidal thoughts;
•low mood;
•catastrophising;
•undue worry;
•self-harm.