Mental illness is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of mental health disorders. It affects all aspects of an individual’s life, including their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and the way they interact and function in society. Mental illnesses are often invisible, yet they can be extremely disruptive and difficult for people living with them. Although the signs and symptoms of mental illnesses can vary depending on individual and disorder, some of the common ways that mental illness can impact our daily life include:
Impaired Cognitive Functioning:
Mental health issues can greatly affect an individual’s cognitive functioning, or ability to think clearly and logically. This can be seen in reduced focus, difficulty concentrating, confusion, impulsiveness, disorganization, memory difficulties, exaggerated emotional reactions, and impaired judgment. These difficulties may be particularly acute in times of emotional distress or heightened stress, as the cognitive symptoms of a mental illness can prevent an individual from reasoning and making decisions as they would when in a healthy state of mental wellbeing.
Poor Interpersonal Skills:
Living with mental illness can make it hard to foster meaningful relationships, as mental health issues can significantly impact an individual’s ability to engage with others. These difficulties can range from disruptions to verbal and non-verbal communication to socially inappropriate behavior. Anger, extreme mood swings, irritability, and bouts of withdrawal can further hamper relationships and make it difficult for someone with mental health issues to be able to relate to and interact with people in a healthy way.
Lowered Motivation:
Mental health issues can also lead to a lack of motivation to take part in activities which were once enjoyed or deemed important. Everything from minor tasks such as house chores, to major career decisions can be affected. Mental illnesses can lead to self-doubt, apathy, excessive procrastination, and a bogging sense of fatigue. Although this can cause people with mental health issues to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, it is important to seek help to manage any underlying cause and address the motivational issues.
Decreased Self-Esteem:
The physical and emotional toll that mental illnesses can take on an individual can lead to lowered self-esteem and a decrease self-confidence. This can be particularly apparent in those suffering from mental illnesses which often come with feelings of low self-worth and societally-contracted views of one’s identity. This can lead to an individual feeling ashamed for having mental health issues or masking their mental health condition to adhere to how they think the world expects them to act.
The effects of mental illness can sneakily seep into all aspects of daily life. It’s important for those living with mental health issues to understand their condition and to seek help when needed. With the help of a professional, mental health issues can be managed and therapy may help to reduce some of the intrusive symptoms that can greatly impact daily life.