Warning signs and symptoms

Mental health is one of the most important aspects of wellbeing, and one of the most overlooked. In Nigeria a great deal of stigma still surrounds it — yet recognising the early signs of mental illness helps people get help sooner.

Mental illness is no respecter of age, gender or status. It can affect anyone. Knowing how to identify the symptoms matters, because mental illness takes many forms depending on its severity.

Common symptoms

• Changes in sleep or appetite, and a decline in personal care.
• Mood changes, rapid shifts in emotion or depressed feelings, and greater irritability.
• Withdrawal, and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
• An unusual drop in functioning at school, work or socially — quitting sports, failing at school, difficulty with familiar tasks.
• Problems with concentration, memory, or logical thought and speech that are hard to explain.
• Heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch, and avoidance of over-stimulating situations.
• Apathy — loss of initiative or desire to take part in any activity.
• A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself or one's surroundings; a sense of unreality.
• Illogical thinking, or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meaning or influence events.
• Fear or suspiciousness of others, or a strong nervous feeling.
• Unusual behaviour — odd, uncharacteristic or peculiar.
• Changes at school or work: increased absence, worsening performance, difficulty with peers and colleagues.
• Increased use of drugs or alcohol to cope with stress, trauma or emotional pain.