Recently, a former colleague told me that
she was worried about an older brother
who had suddenly gone religious. According
to her, this brother said: “he could hear
God talking to him through the radio.

He also alleged that all of us in the family
were evil because, we didn’t believe in the
spiritual church. He thinks his own spiritual
church and his beliefs are right.

As wild as he looked when he made these
allegations, it was obvious that he was
cracking up.

So, how do you tell if someone close to you
is cracking up?” With all these named
disasters and economic crunch plaguing the
country wouldn’t it be nice to know?

According to psychiatrists, there are seven
clues to alert you. For instance, an
unexpected change in behaviour is the big
tip-off that a friend, relation, or co-workers
is suffering from emotional problems and
may need professional help.

Here are the seven clues to look for:


*A person who is usually energetic acts
tired and indifferent. The person may
complain about being tired. His work may
be neglected and he doesn’t seem to care.

*A previous polite and caring person
suddenly becomes insensitive. Manners and
social etiquette often fall apart during
mental illness, said a psychiatrist. “Words
like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ may disappear
from the person’s vocabulary and he or she
may act rude – pushing ahead of others in a
line, for example.”

*A person who usually controls his alcohol
or drug intake loses control. When someone
with no history of alcohol or drug-abuse
begins to abuse these substances, it can be
a sign of mental illness. And drug abuse
doesn’t necessarily have to mean illicit
drugs – it also can mean prescribed drugs.

*A person who usually maintains stable
relationship starts to develop difficulty with
important ones. The person may have
trouble dealing with people on the job –
and with his or her spouse. He or she may
resort to physical or emotional abuse and
may yell or scream.

*A person with emotions in the normal
range becomes despondent or shows rapid
shifts in mood. The person may begin to
have rapid shifts in emotions going from
anger to playfulness, from sadness to
giggles.

*A previously decisive person has trouble
making decisions. Even the smallest
decision, like choosing clothes, becomes
difficult. The person might make up his or
her mind and then change it possibly
several times.

*A person with good hygiene. His or her
clothes may be inappropriate, dirty, or not
ironed. Often, the person may wear the
same clothes for days, not brush his or her
teeth and bathe less frequently – and may
even begin to smell bad.

According to a recent publication in the
medical journal, you could be a candidate
for a nervous breakdown if you answer yes
to six or more of the 12 questions:-


*Did you have a tragic childhood? A
parent’s death or separation?

*Was your childhood unsettled with
constant moves, parents coming and going?

*Do you always felt everyone is bigger,
more clever, and nicer than you?

*Do you think too much or take drugs?

*Are you the sort of person who thinks
happiness won’t last?

*Have you always felt people criticize you
behind your back?

*Do you find it difficult to express your
feelings?

*Do you find it difficult to express your
feelings?

*Do you find it hard to be angry even when
you’ve reason to be?

*Do you find it difficult to find and keep
friends and lovers?

*Have you been exposed to a nervous
breakdown sufferer, particularly when
young?

*Are you preoccupied with your health?


Indeed, reading this, are you now
convinced you’re having a nervous
breakdown?

According to the psychiatrist: “In
approaching someone you think needs help,
do so in a caring manner. Say something
like, “something seems to be different about
you. You’re not acting like your old self. I
really care about you and I think you should
talk to someone who is skilled about it.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/05/spotting-early-sign-of-mental-illness/