The winter blast currently covering the majority of the United States, was predicted for nearly a
week before it settled into the region. Meterologists warned people in the area to begin preparing
for the worst.
During the week before the storm, people scurried to stores searching for salt, shovels, food,
water and numerous other supplies best suited to hunker down during a winter storm. Those who
wouldn't or couldn't prepare for the storm surely suffered the consequences.
Like severe weather, mental illness has early warning signs. Heeding warning signs allows a
person to stave off what could become a disaster if left unchecked.
Early warning signs are as varied as are the people who experience them. However, once a
person can identify them, he can begin to nip them in the bud. In doing so, he can reverse
symptoms as they begin by putting into place action plans recorded in his Wellness Recovery
Action Plan (WRAP).
Let's explore some early warning signs.
Personality changes.
Most people have pretty regular personalities. Some people are chronically outgoing, while
others are natural introverts. Knowing how you or a loved one acts when feeling well can help
you identify when a personality is a little off. If a person becomes more reserved, outspoken,
agitated, or expresses unusual laughing pattern s, then it could be an early warning sign.
Lack of interest.
Frequently when symptoms of mental illness flare up, the person experiencing symptoms may
lose interest in things they once found interesting or pleasurable. When someone stops enjoying
favorite hobbies or cherished relationships, it can be an early warning sign.
Living Environment.
Many times when people who experience mental illness begin experiencing symptoms they go
into what I refer to as survivor mode. Consequently, their living environment begins to slowly
fall apart. Dishes pile up. Floors need scrubbing. Bathrooms are gross. Well, you get the idea.
Seeing changes in the living environment can help you identify an early warning sign.
Appetite.
Speaking from experience, changes in my appetite that last longer than a week are among my
warning signs. For example, more often than not, if you offer me a homemade, frosted cinnamon
roll, I will have at least one or two bites. More often than not, I'll polish it off and ask for another
one. Recently I was offered one and the thought of eating it made me nauseated. Had that pattern
continued for more than a week, I would put into place my action plan and call my doctor
because it's a sure early warning sign.
Changes in sleep patterns.
Healthy people have good sleep habits, waking up and sleeping around the same time on a
regular basis. However, one of the early warning signs of approaching danger is disturbances in
sleep patterns.
For example, if a person with bipolar disorder begins to have trouble getting to sleep and begins
staying up later and requiring less sleep, it could be an indication that he needs to speak with his
doctor. Conversely, if someone with severe anxiety begins to sleep more than usual over a period
of time, it is also important to speak to their doctor about the sleep changes because this is an
early warning sign.
Although these five areas (personality changes, lack of interest, living environment, appetite and
changes in sleep patterns) can be indicators of trouble on the horizon, it is not a conclusive list.
Why not take time to brainstorm some early warning signs you've noticed. Recording the
warning signs in the WRAP allow a person to better identify the nuisance and resolve it before it
becomes a problem. WRAP action plan helps utilize Wellness Toolbox tools. While this isn't a
conclusive list of early warning signs, it gives you an idea of how to identify things out of the
ordinary.
If you'll allow me to come full circle and use my weather analogy again, recognizing early
warning signs is like handing a gift card for storm supplies to a person with a mental illness
before the storm strikes and helping them prepare for what could be bad.
In helping people identify early warning signs, we help them learn to dig themselves out of the
snowdrifts. As a person becomes more accustomed to recognizing early warning signs, he can
learn how to weatherproof his mind before the snow begins falling.
Sarah Price Hancock, a graduate of San Diego State University's rehabilitation
counseling Masters of Science program with a certificate psychiatric
rehabilitation.
Having embarked on her own journey with a mental health diagnosis, she is
passionate about psychiatric recovery. She enjoys working as a lector
for universities, training upcoming mental health professionals.
Sarah also enjoys sharing insights with peers working to strengthen
their "recovery toolbox." With proper support, Sarah
knows psychiatric recovery isn’t just possible — it’s
probable.
Born and raised in San Diego, California, Sarah served a Spanish-speaking
and ASL mission for the LDS Church in the Texas Dallas Mission. She
was graduated from Ricks College and BYU. Sarah currently resides in
San Diego and inherited four amazing children when she married the
man of her dreams in 2011. She loves writing, public speaking,
ceramics, jewelry-making and kite-flying — not necessarily in
that order.