Mental health conditions are common. Half of all Americans will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime.
Many families are not prepared to cope with learning their loved one has a mental health condition. It can be physically and emotionally tiring, and stigma causes people to feel vulnerable to the opinions and judgments of others.
If you think you or someone you know may have a mental health condition, it is important to remember there is hope and help.
What are mental health conditions?
People who have mental health conditions have difficulty thinking, feeling, or acting in the ways they want to. For some, this means experiencing extreme and unexpected changes in mood, like feeling more sad or worried than usual. For others, it means having a hard time thinking or communicating clearly, or having unusual or confusing thoughts that seem disconnected from reality. Some of the more common mental health conditions are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, and anxiety.
Mental health conditions are likely caused by a combination of environmental stressors, genetic factors, and lifestyle. With proper care and treatment, people can learn to cope and recover from mental health conditions.
Warning signs and symptoms
The following are general signs that your loved one may need to speak to a medical or mental health professional about a mental health condition
It is especially important to pay attention to sudden changes in thoughts and behaviors. Also, keep in mind that the onset of several of the symptoms below, and not just any one change, indicates an issue that should be assessed. The symptoms below should not be due to recent substance use or another medical condition.
To learn more about specific mental health conditions, visit our conditions library.
In adults, young adults, and adolescents
- Confused thinking
- Prolonged sadness or irritability
- Feelings of extreme highs and lows
- Excessive fears, worries, and anxieties
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Strong feelings of anger
- Strange thoughts (delusions)
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
- Growing inability to cope with daily activities
- Thoughts of harming oneself
- Numerous unexplained physical ailments
- Substance use
In older children and pre-adolescents
- Substance use
- Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
- Excessive complaints of physical ailments
- Changes in ability to manage responsibilities – at home and/or at school
- Defiance of authority, truancy, theft, and/or vandalism
- Intense fear
- Prolonged negative mood, often accompanied by poor appetite or thoughts of death
- Frequent outbursts of anger
In younger children
- Changes in school performance
- Poor grades despite strong effort
- Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
- Excessive worry or anxiety (i.e., refusing to go to bed or school)
- Hyperactivity
- Persistent nightmares
- Persistent disobedience or aggression
- Frequent temper tantrums
In crisis? 24/7 help is available
If you or someone you know needs immediate support:
- Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Text HOME to 741741 for free support from Crisis Text Line
- Visit mhanational.org/crisis for more options
How to cope day-to-day
Accepting your feelings
You may find yourself denying the warning signs, worrying about what other people will think because of stigma, or wondering what caused your loved one to have mental health struggles. Accept that these feelings are normal and common among families going through similar situations. Find out all you can about your loved one’s condition by reading and talking with mental health professionals. Share what you learn with others.
Handling unusual behavior
The outward signs of a mental health condition are often behavioral. A person may be extremely quiet or withdrawn. Conversely, they may burst into tears, have great anxiety, or have outbursts of anger. Even after treatment has started, some individuals with mental health conditions may have behaviors that can be distressing for them and difficult for you to accept. Ask questions, listen with an open mind, and be there to support them. The next time you and your family member visit a doctor or mental health professional, you can discuss these behaviors to develop a strategy for coping.
Establishing a support network
Whenever possible, seek support from friends and family members. If you feel you aren’t ready or can’t discuss the situation with the people close to you, consider finding a self-help or support group. These groups provide opportunities to talk with others who are going through similar experiences. They are there to listen and may have valuable advice to offer.
Seeking counseling
A mental health professional can suggest ways for families to cope and better understand their loved one’s mental health. When looking for a counselor or therapist, talk to a few professionals so you can choose the person who is right for you and your family. Learning acceptance and coping skills takes time, but in the long run, you will be glad you sought help.
Taking time out
When someone is dealing with mental health struggles, it is common for them to become the focus of family life. When this happens, other family members may feel ignored or resentful, particularly if they are younger and cannot fully grasp the situation.
If you are a caregiver, it is important to take time for yourself. Schedule time away to help you alleviate stress, keep things in perspective, and replenish your ability to show patience and compassion. Being physically and emotionally healthy helps you to help others.
Remember that there is hope for recovery and that with treatment and support, people with mental health conditions have productive and fulfilling lives.
Take a mental health test
If you or a friend are struggling with your mental health, take an anonymous, free, and private mental health test. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished, you will be given information about the next steps you can take based on the results.
