Mental illness is a medical condition that interferes with daily functioning; academics, jobs, social and living. It is brought on by a chemical imbalance in the individual’s brain. When this condition is left untreated it gets worse and more difficult to treat.

Some common symptoms have been identified as:

• Prolonged Sadness or Irritability
• Experiencing extreme Highs and Lows
• Hearing, Seeing, Tasting things that no one else does
• Suspiciousness or extreme Uneasiness around others
• Strong or Inappropriate Emotions or no Emotions at all
• Dramatic changes in Eating or Sleeping patterns
• A sudden decline in Hygiene
• Strong feelings of Anger

If these signs look or sound familiar the first thing you need to do is contact a healthcare professional. Remember mental illness can affect anyone, age, race, gender, income and religion have no role in who is diagnosed and impacted.

NAMI Atlanta / Auburn can be a place to come join and receive free support and education. Here you will be around others that understand what you are going through.