Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 and has been a cornerstone of
addressing mental health challenges facing millions of people. The month is dedicated to
eradicating stigma, providing support, fostering public education, and advocating policies that
prioritize the well-being of individuals and families affected by mental illness.
When it comes to mental illness, it can be difficult to distinguish between what behaviors
are expected and what might be signs of it. It is impossible to tell if someone has mental illness
or whether their actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors or the result of a physical illness
without an easy test. There are many signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents, but the
following are some common ones:
Excessive worrying or fear
Feeling excessively sad or low
Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
Avoiding friends and social activities
Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
Changes in sex drive
Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences
and senses things that don’t exist in objective reality)
Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of
insight” or anosognosia)
Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches,
vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
Mental health conditions can also begin to develop in young children. Because they’re still
learning how to identify and talk about thoughts and emotions, their most obvious symptoms are
behavioral. Symptoms in children may include the following:
Changes in school performance
Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
Hyperactive behavior
Frequent nightmares
Frequent disobedience or aggression
Frequent temper tantrums
Where To Get Help
You should never be afraid to seek help if you or someone you know needs it.
Understanding mental health is the first step. Get in touch with your health insurance, primary
care doctor, or state/county mental health authority for more information. It is common for
individuals with mental illness to develop substance use disorders simultaneously, usually to
cope with overwhelming symptoms. Dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders, is the
combination of these two illnesses. In some cases, one disorder may develop first (substance
abuse or mental illness). By 2020, 17 million adult U.S. citizens will suffer from both a mental
illness and a substance use disorder, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Symptoms
Substance use disorders may present with a variety of symptoms, and mental health
clinics are now using screening tools for alcohol and drugs to identify those at risk.
Symptoms may include:
Withdrawal from friends and family
Sudden changes in behavior
Engaging in risky behaviors
Developing a high tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
Feeling like you need a drug to be able to function
A mental health condition may also have many different symptoms, such as extreme mood
swings, confusion or difficulty concentrating, the desire to avoid friends and social activities,
especially those that involve others, as well as thoughts of suicide.
Treatment
When a person is diagnosed with both a mental illness and a substance use disorder,
integrated intervention is the best treatment. There is no longer any basis for saying, “I cannot
treat your depression because you also drink” — current thinking requires that both issues are
addressed.
It is important to understand how each condition affects the other and how you can get
the best treatment. Treatment planning will vary from person to person, but here are a few things
you will need to be aware of:
Detoxification. During their first weeks in recovery, people with substance use
disorders must undergo detoxification. Inpatient detoxification tends to be more
effective than outpatient detox for initial sobriety and safety. During inpatient
detoxification, medical staff monitor a person 24/7 for up to seven days. A
tapering dose of the substance or its medical equivalent may be administered to
wean a person off and decrease withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient Rehabilitation. People with mental illnesses and substance use
disorders may benefit from inpatient rehabilitation centers, where they will
receive mental and medical care around the clock. Treatment for substance use
disorders and their underlying causes can be provided at these treatment centers
through therapy, support, medication, and health services.
Psychotherapy is usually a large part of an effective treatment plan. It is
particularly helpful for people with dual diagnoses to learn cognitive behavioral
therapy (CBT), which helps them change the patterns of thinking that may
increase their dependence on substances. Medications are useful for treating
mental illness. Certain medications can also help people experiencing substance
use disorders ease withdrawal symptoms during the detoxification process. Those
who are newly sober or trying to avoid relapse may benefit from supportive
housing, which is also called group homes or sober houses. Because licensed
professionals typically don’t run sober homes, they have been criticized for
providing variable quality care. Please do your research before selecting a facility.
Self-Help and Support Groups. In addition to sharing frustrations, celebrating successes,
finding referrals for specialists, finding the best community resources, and swapping recovery
tips, members of support groups can deal with the challenges and isolating nature of dual
diagnosis. There are several groups you can check out that provide a supportive environment
where healthy friendships can be formed and support is offered.
Those who manage both a mental illness and substance use disorders are welcome
to join Double Trouble in Recovery.
People who are recovering from an alcohol or drug addiction can join Alcoholics
Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Make sure the group you choose
understands the importance of mental health treatment in recovery.
The Smart Recovery program is a non-faith-based sobriety support group.
Need Immediate Help in A Crisis?
A trained crisis counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you or someone
you know is thinking about suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis. In addition to listening
empathetically and without judgment, crisis counselors will help you identify mental health services and options in your area. In addition, crisis counselors work to provide you with information about mental health services available in your area.