An evaluation assessment with the Psychiatry & Mental Health Service may be helpful to establish a diagnosis and treatment. Some disorders you may recognize can be found in Information by Diagnoses
Some feelings of stress and distress can be temporary, particularly in times of challenges, or change. Often, signs or symptoms of stress can be temporary and can resolve on their own with intact and regular sleep, healthy nutrition, regular exercise (minimum 150-300 minutes per week of moderate intensity), purposeful work, time for fun, using adaptive coping, and having social supports.
It is normal in intact health to have transient feelings of sadness, worry, anger, frustration, shame, guilt, pleasure, and gladness.
Our service’s purpose is treating mental illness or disease, first by rendering a diagnosis, and then recommending appropriate treatment(s).
When signs and symptoms of emotional distress last for weeks (e.g. more than 14 serial days in a row), or, even months, and negatively influence your work, recreation, or your relationship with family and friends, it may be time for an evaluation.
Common warning signs of emotional distress that may require an evaluation include:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and things, usual activities
- Feeling helpless and hopeless; and/or unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Excessive smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including prescription medications)
- Inability to perform daily tasks
- Thinking of hurting or killing yourself or someone else
- Seeing or hearing things that others cannot see or hear; believing things that are not true
- A change in yelling or fighting with family and friends over a period of time
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
(Adapted from SAMHSA, https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/warning-signs-risk-factors; and https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health)