Who are those
with a mental illness?
We are your brother
your sister
the man
across the street--
for one in every
five families
is dealing with
a mental illness.
To contact the Chairperson:
Bob Dell
bob.dell@ecunet.org
Write E-mail
To receive the newsletter:
To receive the UC News which includes the Mental Illness Network inserts, send name and address to:
UC News, PO Box 247, Bellmawr, NJ 08099-0247
Or subscribe via Web
The Mental Illness Network
A Network within the
United Church of Christ
in affiliation with
Disabilities Ministries, U.C.C.
Phone: 216-736-3848
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Symptoms
Perceptions
Emotions/Feelings/Thoughts
Not all symptoms occur in a person with mental illness. Although individuals and societies vary as to what is "normal," a person with a mental illness should be evaluated if there is a change in behavior. Never hesitate to call a physician to share these concerns, just as you would for any illness.
Seek medical evaluation if some of these exaggerated behaviors begin to appear.
Symptoms
- self-destructive actions
- abuse of alcohol of other drugs
- withdrawal or distrust of friends and family
- short temper and argumentative
- loss of interest in daily activities
- inability to concentrate
- glazed or faraway stare and/or bizarre posturing
- decline in academic, athletic or job performance
- deterioration of personal appearance and hygiene
- inappropriate dressing for weather or occasion
- excessive changes in sleeping or wakefulness
- excessive changes in appetite--too little or too much
- excessive seeking of approval
- excessive writing of nonsensical or disconnected thoughts and words
- rapid, loud, disorganized speech
- boundless energy, enthusiasm, and need for activity
- impulsive and/or erratic behavior
Perceptions
- extreme or unusual sensitivity to light/colors/noise
- believing his or her thoughts are controlled by others
- fear of touching or being touched by others or things
- changed sense of self (believing body parts are diseased, detached, hanging, etc.)
- sense of body boundaries deteriorating
- hallucinations: either auditory (hearing voices) and/or visual (seeing something that is non-existent)
- certain clothing having unusual meaning
Emotions/Feelings/Thoughts
- extreme anxiety over the smallest things
- recurring attacks of panic or anxiety
- extreme guilt over "past sins" or bad conduct
- extreme pessimism and/of unceasing depression
- rapid switch to severe depression
- extremely low self-esteem
- inability to express or feel any emotion
- loss of motivation
- poor concentration
- suicidal thoughts
- paranoia towards everyone and everything
- delusions of power/wealth/knowledge
- grandiose ideas
- poor reasoning, memory, and judgment
- exaggerated, blunted or inappropriate emotional response (laugh/cry)
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