Recognizing the Warning Signs
While mental illness can affect anyone, the prevalence of mental illness in men is lower due in large part to the fact that they are less likely to have received mental health treatment. Recognizing the signs of a potential mental disorder is the first step toward getting treatment. The earlier that treatment begins, the more effective it can be.
The most common warning signs of mental illness in men are:
- Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
- Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
- Increased worry or feeling stressed
- Misuse of alcohol and/or drugs
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
- Engaging in high-risk activities
- Aches, headaches, digestive problems without a clear cause
- Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
- Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
- Unusual thinking or behaviors that concern other people
The most common warning signs of mental illness in older boys/pre-teens are:
- Changes in school performance, falling grades
- Inability to cope with daily problems and activities
- Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits
- Excessive complaints of physical problems
- Defying authority, skipping school, stealing, or damaging property
- Intense fear of gaining weight
- Long-lasting negative mood, often along with poor appetite and thoughts of death
- Frequent outbursts of anger
- Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol
- Withdrawing from friends and activities
The most common warning signs of mental illness in younger boys are:
- Changes in school performance
- Poor grades despite strong efforts
- Excessive worry or anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Persistent nightmares
- Persistent disobedience and/or aggressive behavior
- Frequent temper tantrums