Is My Loved One Mentally Ill? 

Quirky Personality or Mental Illness?

Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a quirky personality and the symptoms of mental illness. It's important to get help for a loved one suffering from a mental illness, but it may be hard to convince them they're in need of help. Here are some of the hallmarks of mental illness so you can be sure you're going in the right direction in urging a family member to seek help.

In an adult, you need to watch for one or more of the following signs:

Significant change in personality

Difficulty in coping with daily activities and problem solving

Strange or grand ideas

Inappropriate levels of anxiety

Apathy and lengthy depression

Sudden changes in sleep or eating patterns

Periods of exultation followed by depression or apathy

Drug and alcohol abuse

Disproportionate displays of hostility, anger, or violence

Any mention of murderous or suicidal intentions requires immediate attention from a mental health professional

Mental Illness or a Learning Disability?

In children the key is to look for many signs of troubling behavior. If only a few signs of troubling behavior are apparent, it may be helpful to talk to a teacher or concerned clergyman. However, if your child shows several signs of emotional difficulty, it's best to have him evaluated by a mental health professional.

Signs to watch for are if your child:

Seems unable to cope with his suddenly overwhelming feelings

Cries often

Asks or hints for help

Appears preoccupied, tense, worried, anxious, sometimes exhibiting sudden phobias

Fears seem unreasonable and may interfere with schoolwork and daily living

Has difficulty concentrating on daily tasks

School performance declines

Teachers and other authority figures may inquire if something may be troubling your child

Can't master schoolwork

Teachers suggest the possibility of a learning disability

Loses interest in play

Exhibits various forms of self-stimulation such as thumb sucking or masturbation

Has little or no social interaction with peers

Is fighting

Begins to earn comments like: "this is an angry or disruptive child."

Prefers to be alone

Displays low self-esteem, minimal self-confidence, and denigrates self

develops sleep issues

When approaching puberty, may act in a sexually provocative manner

Set fires

Serious warning signs may merit immediate consultation with a pediatrician or a psychiatrist. These symptoms include:

Talk of suicide

Child becomes accident prone

Self-mutilation

Child may mutilate or kill animals

Eating habits change to the point that weight is affected

Ritual behaviors are adopted indicating obsessive-compulsive disorder

Attacks another child or adult

Drug or alcohol abuse

Sexual activity at a very young age