| Mental illness is not just an affliction that you are | | | | Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic |
| born with; mental illnesses can develop over time, | | | | depression, can be managed with medication. It is |
| whether as something that was predestined to occur | | | | characterized with intense manic or "high" periods in |
| or as an illness that develops over time. While some | | | | which the individual becomes overly enthusiastic or |
| mental illnesses are certainly not generally found in | | | | optimistic and may begin tasks or plans that are not |
| young people, like Alzheimer's disease, others such as | | | | feasible. These high periods are followed by crashes |
| depression can strike as early as childhood and | | | | and intense "lows", which can involve sleeping all day, |
| mental illnesses like ADHD, though over diagnosed, | | | | feeling hopeless, suicide attempts, and other |
| does affect many children and adults. | | | | symptoms shared with depression. |
| Young adults can suffer from a wide range of mental | | | | ADHD is more of a disorder than a disease as it does |
| illnesses, and are more commonly afflicted for the | | | | not often seriously impair a young adult's ability to |
| first time than any other age group because of their | | | | function normally in society, however it is possible for |
| rapidly developing brains and the many new | | | | a young adult to have ADHD that does affect their |
| circumstances to which they are exposed to during | | | | ability to hold a job or otherwise function individually. |
| their late teens and early twenties. Young adults are | | | | This disorder often involves an inability to focus, |
| not necessarily particularly vulnerable; however, | | | | being easily distracted, and similar kinds of symptoms. |
| whatever mental illnesses they were possibly born | | | | It may be made apparent in forgetfulness that is |
| with are more likely to come out of dormancy at this | | | | almost chronic or in an inability to hold still, and also |
| point in their lives. | | | | with a hyper-focus on certain activities. |
| Schizophrenia is one mental illness that often strikes | | | | The diagnosis of a mental illness should be left to |
| for the first time in young adults. Individuals may | | | | medical professionals; however it is often up to the |
| suffer moodiness or paranoia, which can both be | | | | family and loved ones of the affected young adult to |
| potentially recognized by a loved one and reported | | | | recognize the symptoms before the individual can get |
| to the individual's physician. Other warning signs might | | | | treatment. Many mentally ill individuals do not know |
| include the young adult hearing voices or seeing | | | | that they are suffering, or do not wish for various |
| things that are not there. Schizophrenic individuals | | | | reasons related to their illness to seek treatment on |
| may also experience apathy or lack of emotions and | | | | their own. |
| might become worse at social functions. They may | | | | People who love anyone affected by the above |
| also begin to have trouble concentrating or following | | | | mentioned mental illnesses and by other mental |
| directions and completing tasks, and their memories | | | | illnesses should make a list of the specific symptoms |
| might suffer. Schizophrenic patients also almost | | | | that they see so that they can present these |
| always begin feeling depressed before their | | | | symptoms to a mental health specialist. Symptoms |
| symptoms degenerate. | | | | that you should look out for include changes in |
| Depression is another mental illness that is very | | | | sleeping and eating patters, weight gain or loss, |
| common in young adults. It is characterized by | | | | changes in personality, an inability to function |
| feelings of extreme helplessness, hopelessness, and is | | | | normally, paranoia, aggression, and other unusual |
| not nearly the same thing as "feeling blue" or being | | | | behavior. Even a feeling that something is "off" with a |
| "down". Depression is a serious mental condition that | | | | loved one might warrant extra attention or even |
| affects millions of Americans, and can cause suicidal | | | | investigation to help them get help with their mental |
| thoughts as well as over, or under-eating, over, or | | | | illness. |
| under-sleeping, and a change in moods. Depression is | | | | No matter what symptoms are displayed, no |
| not something that people can just "get over" or | | | | diagnosis can be made until the individual who is |
| "snap out of", and may in fact require medication or | | | | suffering is taken to a doctor. A person taken to the |
| therapy or a combination of both before the | | | | hospital by police is likely to be treated and released |
| individual begins to see a lifting of their symptoms. | | | | quickly without enough attention paid to their actual |
| The symptoms of depression can come and go, and | | | | needs. It is up to the family and loved ones of young |
| are similar but slightly different from the symptoms | | | | adults affected by mental illness to get them help. |
| of bipolar disorder. | | | | |