In the modern world, not all people manage to always remain calm and positive. We often do not pay attention to the bad mood of the people around us and even the next of kin. And in vain! What signs of mental illness in men can be seen in the initial stages of the disease?
Mental disorders - what is it?
Disorders of the psyche are called the diversity of mental states of a person that does not meet the norm. Often, such diseases begin to be treated only in critical stages with vivid manifestations of inadequate behavior and thinking. In our country, many ordinary people are still not serious about mental illness.
Many people prefer to attribute the symptoms of mental illness to the bad character of their opponent. However, many signs of mental disorders in men can be noticed without being a specialist. Be more attentive to yourself and loved ones. Do not be lazy and do not be afraid to seek professional help if you encounter any suspicious symptoms.
The main external signs
Popular proverbs call not to judge others by appearance. And this is not always the right decision. If a person abruptly ceases to take care of himself, begins to neglect the rules of personal hygiene, often looks untidy and messy - this is an occasion to think about his mental state. A neat and attractive appearance is one of the indicators of mental well-being and internal balance.
What is noteworthy, the patient himself can be aware of what is happening. He may respond to criticism regarding his appearance with something with the meaning that "appearance is not the main thing." A similar image of self-confidence combined with indifference are also signs of mental illness in men. As symptoms of such diseases, degradation of the personality as a whole can be mentioned. In this process, a person loses interest in everything that happens to him and around him.
Behavioral symptoms
In everyday life, it is easiest to notice the main signs of a mental disorder, manifested in the behavior of the patient. The most striking symptom is a quick change of mood. Sadness, joy, apathy, anger, anxiety and other emotions change, as in a kaleidoscope. At the same time, emotional reactions are not associated with real events.
Quite often, people with mental disorders are aggressive. Aggression can manifest itself in different ways, in one person it is only an excessive rudeness in words, in another - physical effects on surrounding objects, attempts to organize fights. Often there is also hypertrophic jealousy in mental disorders. This is a common sign of mental illness among the stronger sex. If a man is constantly jealous of his woman without real reason - this is an occasion to seek professional psychological help.
Emotional manifestations
What does a person feel with mental illness? Do not forget that mental disorders can occur with a variety of symptoms. With some diseases, excitement of consciousness is noted, while for others, apathy is characteristic. Almost every person with psychological problems comes to the conclusion that "no one understands him." The sick person feels lonely and useless to anyone.
In some cases, there may be a critical attitude towards others. With this symptom, a person sincerely considers others guilty of all his problems. Despite the instability of the emotional background, most often people suffering from mental disorders experience something unpleasant. Most often these are emotions such as sadness, sadness, anxiety, fear.
A variety of phobias and psychological complexes can also develop against the background of more serious diseases. Curiously, many patients note changes at the physiological level. Sleep disturbances, migraines, causeless pains, cramps - all this can be indirect manifestations of mental disorders. Sometimes there are problems with eating behavior. The sick person may start eating more than usual, or, conversely, refuse to eat.
Cognitive Symptoms of Psychological Disorders
Any mental disorder occurs with a noticeable deterioration in mental abilities. Especially noticeable memory impairment. The sick person may forget some facts and events. The ability to operate with existing knowledge is reduced, logical thinking is disrupted. In some cases, a slowdown in reaction may be noted, and in others, on the contrary, an acceleration of thought processes. Obvious signs of mental disorders in men: inability to adequately assess what is happening, exacerbation of principle.
Many diseases occur with the formation of obsessions, criticism of which is met with a bright negative reaction. Often, a person himself in such a state feels himself literally "an unrecognized genius." On the basis of this, a clear enthusiasm for philosophy is possible. Moreover, it can be expressed in the study of the works of recognized sages or the creation of their own “teachings”. Most mental illnesses occur with a distorted perception of reality and oneself. People suffering from them plunge into the world of their own, often not quite adequate, fantasies and cease to be aware of the boundaries and importance of reality.
Perceptual manifestations of mental illness
Serious mental illnesses occur with a whole bunch of vivid symptoms. The most popular among them are hallucinations. The sick person can see or hear something that does not exist in reality. Hallucinations are diverse. Sometimes it is a disembodied voice that sounds “in the head” or in a dark room. Some patients see very real objects, animals or even familiar people. Others talk about observing irrational paintings, unreal beings.
In 70% of cases, hallucinations are frightening and alarming. At the same time, the patient fully believes in their reality. Most people who have this symptom are happy to talk about their visions and experienced emotions. Some patients try to find a rational explanation for their visions. This applies primarily to auditory hallucinations, when the patient hears strange sounds, and can not accurately determine their source.
The most common mental disorders in the modern world
Studying the main signs of a mental disorder, you probably remembered at least one friend who has some of the symptoms listed. And this is not surprising, the life of a modern person is full of excitement and stress. With constant haste and an abundance of worries, it is always difficult to remain positive and maintain peace of mind. It sounds scary, but today depression is considered common. But this mental disorder, despite its external harmlessness, can cause death.
Well-known fact: women are more emotional than men. Perhaps it is precisely because of their openness and desire to share their experienced emotions that the fair sex is less likely to suffer from serious mental illness than their husbands. According to the statistics of mental disorders, among men - 60% first experience this problem at a young age. The remaining 40% are representatives of the stronger sex who are ill in adulthood.
The most common mental disorders in men are: neurosis, psychosis, manic-depressive syndromes, phobias, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. Only an expert can make an accurate diagnosis. But if you suspect that one of your loved ones suffers from a mental disorder, it is in your power to fix the most striking symptoms and convince the patient to seek professional help.
Schizophrenia: symptoms and signs in men, features of the disease
The name of this disease has been heard at least once by each of us. This is a fairly serious mental disorder that can be successfully corrected at the beginning of therapy in the early stages. Pathology is characterized by a loss of interest in life. How does schizophrenia manifest itself? Symptoms and signs in men of all ages are similar. The responsible person gradually ceases to think about work or study, gradually loses interest in his family. The schizophrenic also overlooks all personal interests and hobbies.
Many patients have autism symptoms. This is, first of all, isolation, unwillingness to contact with other people. It is as if a sick person is trying to isolate himself from the world by an invisible wall, to remain alone with his own thoughts, feelings and problems. Signs of anxiety disorders in men can be easily confused with schizophrenia. This diagnosis proceeds with a deterioration in mental abilities, impaired concentration and attention. As the disease progresses, a person begins to think illogically, and his speech can become incoherent.
Patients with schizophrenia do not like to leave the house, they do not leave alarming thoughts. The mood of a man with such a diagnosis is often depressed and apathetic, sometimes relatives can notice an unreasonable fright. In special cases, schizophrenia occurs with impaired motor function, neurosis and hallucinations. This pathology is characterized by seasonal exacerbations. Painful symptoms in schizophrenics become more pronounced in spring and autumn.
Causes of Mental Illness
Today, official medicine does not always succeed in establishing the root causes of diagnosed mental illnesses. And yet there are a number of provoking factors. These are: stress, increased mental and emotional stress, tense conditions at work or at home, serious upheavals. Also, one should not forget about the genetic predisposition, brain diseases and other medical factors.
The first signs of a mental disorder in men may appear against the background of the systematic use of alcohol and drugs. More often drug addiction and alcoholism provoke the development of psychosis, delirium tremens, delirium of jealousy and other specific disorders. Very often, traumatic brain damage can be the cause of mental illness. Mental disorders are observed against the background of epilepsy and somatic disorders. With these pathologies, the psychoemotional state of a person is extremely unstable.
A high percentage of people suffering from mental disorders among patients with malignant tumors and diseases of the vessels of the brain. In these cases, mental problems occur against the background of physiological disorders, the most common of which is an increase in blood pressure. A separate group of diseases is age-related mental disorders. Symptoms in men of diseases of this category are diagnosed in the older age group. We are talking about diseases such as paranoia, Alzheimer's disease, senility, dementia, Pick's disease and some others.
Mental Health Treatment
Most of our compatriots still do not perceive mental disorders as serious diseases. And this is an unforgivable mistake. We make an appointment with a doctor with bronchitis or heart pain, as we are afraid of serious complications, even death. And at the same time we do not pay attention to bad mood and anxiety, attributing these symptoms to natural reactions of consciousness or commonplace laziness. But mental disorders can be much more dangerous than a runny nose or high fever.
If you are careful enough, it’s not hard to notice signs of a mental disorder in men. The test can be done at home. If at least 2-3 symptoms are observed in a person for a sufficiently long time, it is simply necessary to show it to a specialist!
Which doctor should be consulted with suspected mental disorder? Begin by visiting a therapist. During a confidential conversation, this specialist will be able to make a diagnosis, and if necessary, will refer to a psychiatrist. There is no universal formula for treating mental disorders in men. In each case, the attending physician develops an individual treatment plan.
Many mental disorders can be treated with psychotherapeutic techniques and psychological exercises. In some cases, drug therapy is also prescribed. Most mental disorders can be completely cured. It is important that the treatment be carried out under the supervision of a specialist and be started as early as possible.