Seeing the signs of mental illness isn’t always easy. Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents may including the following:

Excessive worry or fear

Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning

Extreme mood changes

Isolation from others and avoiding social activities

Difficulty perceiving reality

Changes in sleeping habits or low energy

Suicidal thoughts

Inability to handle common daily activities

Intense fear of weight gain or excessive concern with appearance

Prolonged or strong feelings of anger

Did you know that children and teens can develop the same mental health disorders and conditions as adult, but their symptoms may be different or difficult to identify?

Your child or teen might need help if he or she: 

Often feels very angry or very worried

Can’t sleep or eat

Is unable to enjoy pleasurable activities anymore

Isolates themself and avoids social interactions

Feels grief for a long time after a loss

Uses drugs or alcohol

Exercises, diets and/or binge eats obsessively

Hurts other people or destroys property

Has low or no energy

Feels unable to control emotions

Has thoughts of suicide

Harms her/himself, such as cutting or burning his/her skin

Thinks his/her mind is controlled or out of control or hears voices