NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nations largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.Who We AreWhat started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nations leading voice on mental health.Today, we are an alliance of more than 600 local affiliates who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.Your JourneyIf you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.There are many supports, services and treatment options that may help.
A change in behavior or mood may be the early warning signs of a mental health condition and should never be ignored.About Mental Illness:Trying to tell the difference between what expected behaviors are and what might be the signs of a mental illness isnt always easy.Theres no easy test that can let someone know if there is mental illness or if actions and thoughts might be typical behaviors of a person or the result of a physical illness.The Warning Signs:Each illness has its own symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:Excessive worrying or fearFeeling excessively sad or lowConfused thinking or problems concentrating and learningExtreme mood changes, including uncontrollable highs or feelings of euphoriaProlonged or strong feelings of irritability or angerAvoiding friends and social activitiesDifficulties understanding or relating to other peopleChanges in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energyChanges in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetiteChanges in sex driveDifficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that dont exist in objective reality)Inability to perceive changes in ones own feelings, behavior or personality (lack of insight or anosognosia)Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugsMultiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing aches and pains)Thinking about suicideInability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stressAn intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearanceMental health conditions can also begin to develop in young children.Because theyre 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 performanceExcessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or schoolHyperactive behaviorFrequent nightmaresFrequent disobedience or aggressionFrequent temper tantrumsWhere To Get HelpDont be afraid to reach out if you or someone you know needs help.Learning all you can about mental health is an important first step.Reach out to your health insurance, primary care doctor or state/county mental health authority for more resources.Contact theNAMI HelpLineto find out what services and supports are available in your community.If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.Callortext988 or chat988lifeline.orgto reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.NAMI Mid-Carolina: Richland, Lexington, Aiken and Orangeburg countiesMailing Address: PO Box 1267, Columbia, SC 29202-1267Contact Number : (800)788-5131 Email: [email protected]
Publisher: Life Plan Community ( Read More )
