How Do you Know if You're mentally ill?

People who are truly 'sick' don't realize they are. I think many try to plea insanity with many things in life to get by on some kind of excuse, even to themselves..But if you knew the difference between one way or the other, then your actions are a choice of that. But who's to say what anyone REALLY is capable of thinking, or even what side of the line falls the more sane one, in certain circumstances-

The first signs of mental distress will be different for the onlooker than it is for the person in distress. When someone's mood starts changing, for instance, it may take some time for them to become aware of it, but people around them may be much more conscious of the difference. Changes in sleep patterns are a common sign, and appetite may also be affected. Lethargy, low energy levels, feeling antisocial and spending too much time in bed may indicate the onset of depression. Wanting to go out more, needing very little sleep, and feeling highly energetic, creative and sociable, may signal that a person is becoming high. The first time it happens, the effects of hearing or seeing things that other people don't are likely to be especially dramatic. Hearing voices can be a very confusing experience for the person concerned. It's often (but not always) clear to him or her that nobody else can hear the same thing, and this can be very frustrating. When someone is seeing an image that others can't, the experience may cause immense distress simply because we're all accustomed to believing what we see. True friends will want to be supportive, but may not be sure how best to respond. When someone starts behaving in a way that suggests they may be suffering from mental distress, it's vital to be sensitive to their situation. They may have many of the fears outlined earlier, and need reassurance. Some people may benefit from talking to other people, or they may need time to themselves. It's important for them to have someone they can trust and talk to openly, when they are ready. Sometimes, opening up to relatives is simply impossible. If this is the case, trying to force someone to express their distress will only make it worse. They may find it easier to communicate with someone who's had a similar experience or to a counsellor or therapist. Until you can understand why a person is having problems, it's almost impossible to provide constructive support. Over time, you will learn how best to help and you will be well placed to help break down some of the stigma and prejudice that surrounds mental distress. Don't be quick to judge. The more thoughtful and measured your response, the more effective your help will be. Trust and respect are important. They help to rebuild and maintain a sense of self-esteem, which mental distress can so easily crush. I hope this helps in some way.

I was accused of being mentally ill in 1998, however I was under heavy spiritual attack and it was all 100% real. The same type of thing happens to me now even, but from this abuse I can say I have become mentally ill. I know there are now things not right going on inside my mind. If you would like more information on what I went through please check out my blog :- www.jamies-world-of-fact-or-fiction.blogspot.com

There are many different kinds of mental illnesses and in some cases the person knows that he or she is ill for instance if the person has an anxiety disorder and knows that their anxiety is irrational. If the person is psychotic he/she might or might not know that they are ill. Some of the mentally people that I know have had been psychotic many times in the past and they have learned to recognize some of the signs that indicate that they are starting to get ill. In many situations the psychotic person does not realize that he or she is ill, because they see their experiences as the truth. The people around the psychotic realize that he or she is ill but the person believe in the own thoughts, and it is my experience that it can be very difficult or impossible to convince a psychotic person that their thoughts aren't true. Their aren't thoughts real to the people in the surroundings, but they are very real to the person who is psychotic.