How Can You Prevent Mental Illness?

Mental Illness is one of the most misunderstood conditions. Unfortunately, thousands of people have an undiagnosed mental illness and never receive the expert care and therapy they need to feel better. There are roughly 300 different types of mental illness, and there are two broad categories that indicate mental illness. The first is called AMI, which stands for Any Mental Illness that disrupts the person’s mind, behaviors, or emotions. The second category is an SMI, a Serious Mental Illness that is the same but causes severe functional impairment or interferes with a person’s life. 

How Many People Have Mental Illness?

The National Institute of Mental Health states how common mental illness is. Over 50 million people are diagnosed with a mental health disorder as mental illness. They explain that there are different levels of mental illness, from severe to mild. 

“Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (51.5 million in 2019). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.” (NIMH)

Who Can Get Mental Illness?

When someone is diagnosed with mental illness, they will meet specific criteria and often share the same histories and experiences. For example, many military soldiers are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after fighting in combat or witnessing violent tragedies. Similarly, many people who are diagnosed with depression are grieving the loss of a loved one. The risk of developing a mental illness will also be greater if someone has a family (genetic) history of mental health or emotional health disorders. 

The process for being diagnosed with a mental illness can only be completed by a psychiatrist or mental health professional.  

Is it Possible to Prevent a Mental Illness from Happening?

To prevent yourself or someone you love from developing a mental illness, it is critical to know what to look for. As we know, many people live their lives not knowing that they have a mental illness. The Mayo Clinic provides a list of signs and symptoms that are useful to understand. Preventing mental illness is sometimes impossible, but the best plan is to know the signs and symptoms.

“Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances, and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Examples of signs and symptoms include: 

• Feeling sad or down 
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate 
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt 
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows 
• Withdrawal from friends and activities 
• Significant tiredness, low energy, or problems sleeping 
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia, or hallucinations 
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress 
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and people 
• Problems with alcohol or drug use 
• Major changes in eating habits 
• Sex drive changes 
• Excessive anger, hostility, or violence 
• Suicidal thinking   (Mayo Clinic)

What Types of Therapy Help a Mental Illness?

Today the most well-known type of therapy for mental illness are behavioral therapies and pharmacotherapies. Both of these types of therapy methods are evidence-based. Getting help for a mental illness with behavioral therapy will most often rely on cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavioral therapy. Each of these behavioral therapy methods helps people identify their negative thoughts that cause negative emotions and reactions. Pharmacotherapies are medications that help soothe or minimize certain mental health disorder symptoms. 

The Experts at Garden State Detox Can Help You Right Now

Don’t wait if you or a family member is struggling and has mental illness signs or symptoms. We have an evidence-based detox program that has openings now. We can help you overcome depression, anxiety, addictions, and many other mental or emotional health disorders. Thousands come through the Garden State Detox door, not knowing how to feel better, and we get them there. Our specialists will make it possible for you to be admitted, medicated, and cared for quickly by our psychiatric and medical staff. 

Call us for priority placement into an evidence-based treatment or therapy program or chat and email for information on how to get help right now.  

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