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Signs and Symptoms of behavioral and mental health concerns

The symptoms checklists available on this website list various symptoms that may arise from and accompany a particular disease or disorder. Each symptoms checklist is not meant to serve as a diagnostic tool but serve only as an indicator of symptoms of a disorder. If you have an indication of any disease or disorder, please call for a needs assesment at 800-767-4411.

ADHD

ADHD is a neuro-development disorder affecting one's ability to learn and appropriately interact with others. Generally appearing before the age of seven, ADHD is more prevalent in young males and occurs in about 3-10 percent of the general population.

If untreated, ADHD restricts academic and social functioning. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Fidgeting
  • Excessive talking
  • Poor concentration
  • Frequently interrupts others
  • Difficulty following instructions
  • Short attention span
  • Forgetfulness
  • Misplacing/losing things
  • Engaging in high risk activities
Alcoholism Signs and Symptoms

Dependency on alcohol or other drugs is detrimental to one's health, family, relationships and career. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Drinking/using alone
  • Denying drinking/using
  • Experiencing memory impairment
  • Feeling fatigued and/or depressed
  • Using/Drinking in response to stress
  • Impairing personal relationships
  • Becoming "edgy" without drinking/using
  • Missing work
  • Using/Drinking daily
  • Needing progressively more alcohol/drugs
  • Using/Drinking in the morning

Additional implications include:

  • Blackouts
  • Personality changes
  • Impaired professional success
  • Deteriorating health

To learn more about treatment of this disease/disorder please see our section on Chemical Dependency Treatment.

Anxiety Disorders Signs and Symptoms

Anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans each year and are typically characterized by feelings of overwhelming tension. If untreated, anxiety disorders can impair a individual’s career, social and personal relationships and personal well being. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Racing heart
  • Tense muscles
  • Inability to sleep
  • Excessive worrying
  • Feeling keyed-up
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Breathlessness
  • Chest pain, tightness or discomfort
  • Shaking
  • Dizziness
  • Feelings of unreality
  • Avoidance of feared situations

Anxiety Disorders Screening Test

To help determine if you have an anxiety disorder, we have provided a series of screening questions. Print and complete the form for a confidential, free initial screening. Fax or mail to:

Admissions
Rogers Memorial Hospital
34700 Valley Road
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Fax: 262-646-7877

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The primary body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptom is an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived defect in one's physical appearance, which is greatly exaggerated or completely imagined. The fears are most frequently focused on the appearance of the head and face, but may involve any body part.

Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms go beyond normal concern with one's appearance, and may significantly impair academic and professional functioning, as well as interpersonal relationships. In extreme cases, an individual experiencing body dysmorphic disorder symptoms may completely shun any contact with people in an effort to avoid having the perceived defect observed by others.

Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms may involve the following body parts:

  • Moles and freckles being too large or noticeable
  • Acne
  • Minor scars or skin aberrations
  • Too much facial or body hair
  • Too little hair on the head
  • Size and/or shape of the nose or eyes
  • Size and/or shape of the genitalia
  • Size and/or shape of the feet
  • Breast size
  • Muscles being too small
  • Overall size, shape and/or symmetry of the face or another body part

Body dysmorphic disorder symptoms may include:

  • Repetitive checking of a minor or perceived flaw in mirrors or avoidance of mirrors
  • Avoidance of having a picture taken
  • Repetitive grooming activities such as shaving, combing hair, etc.
  • Repetitive checking, touching and/or measuring of a minor or imagined defect
  • Wearing excessive make-up to camouflage a minor or imagined flaw
  • Wearing certain clothes to camouflage a minor or imagined defect
  • Multiple medical visits, especially to dermatologists
  • Multiple medical procedures in an effort to correct or eradicate a minor or imagined flaw (e.g., plastic surgery).

If you know someone who may require treatment for body dysmorphic disorder, contact Rogers Memorial Hospital at 1-800-767-4411 for an initial needs assessment.

Codependency

Family members and/or significant others of addicted individuals often display codependent behaviors. Codependency stems from feelings of personal inadequacy and relationship dependency, often established by unhealthy family patterns or accompanied by other underlying issues. Characterized by poor communication, unrealistic expectations, and low self-esteem, it can easily erode healthy interpersonal relationships and interfere with professional, social and family life. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Difficulty identifying feelings
  • Difficulty expressing emotions
  • Difficulty maintaining relationships
  • Perfectionism
  • Rigid attitudes and behavior
  • Difficulty adjusting to change
  • Feeling responsible for others
  • Seeking approval
  • Feeling powerless
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Ashamed over perceived failures
  • Always putting others first
  • Feeling guilty for personal enjoyment
Dementia / Alzheimer's disease

Fifteen to 20 percent of the U. S. elderly are struggling with dementia, Alzheimer's Disease or another behavioral disorder.

While dementia is a gradual loss of memory resulting in confusion and disorientation, Alzheimer's Disease is an actual loss in brain cells beginning with memory and extending into other areas. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Short-term memory loss
  • Personality changes
  • Behavioral changes
  • Loss of abstract thought
  • Confusion/disorientation
  • Difficulty following instructions
  • Difficulty learning/comprehending
  • Withdrawal from activities, people
  • Low energy
  • Hostility
Depression

Affecting over 10 percent of the population and people of all ages, depression usually includes prolonged feelings of sadness and despair that could lead to hopelessness and possibly suicide.

If untreated, depression can impair social, career, relationship, family and personal well-being. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Sleep disturbances
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Change in appetite
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Indigestion
  • Irritability
  • Low self-esteem
  • Poor concentration
  • Guilt
  • Inability to experience pleasure
Eating Disorders Signs and Symptoms

While the assessment of an eating disorder is best conducted by a professional, some of the most common indicators are as follows:

Socio-emotional Signs & Symptoms of Eating Disorders:

  • Preoccupation with weight, food and dieting
  • Use of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
  • Repeated attempts to please others
  • Perceived lack of control over life
  • Indications of frequent vomiting
  • Low self-esteem and depression
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Dramatic weight fluctuations
  • Compulsive exercising

Physiological Complications:

  • Swelling of ankles and feet
  • Erosion of tooth enamel
  • Low body temperature
  • Swollen salivary glands
  • Dry skin, rashes
  • Amenorrhea (no menstrual periods)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can begin at any age from preschool to adulthood. Typically the symptoms begin during the teenage years or early adulthood.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms are classified into two areas: obsessions, repetitive unwanted thoughts and compulsions, the routines individuals perform to decrease anxiety about the unwanted thoughts.

Common obsessions of obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

  • Fear of dirt or contamination by germs
  • Fear of causing harm to others
  • Fear of making a mistake
  • Repeated doubt
  • Unacceptable sexual thoughts
  • Need for order or symmetry

Common compulsions of obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

  • Repeating actions, such as washing hands or cleaning
  • Checking and rechecking that something has been done, like the oven has been turned off
  • Repetitively arranging objects
  • Counting frequently
  • Repeating a word, phrase or prayer
  • Hoarding or keeping items that have little importance

If you think you or someone you know may suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, learn more on the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder Treatment can give individuals long-term control of their obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a normal emotional and psychological response to trauma causing survivors to feel their lives have changed. A once safe and comfortable world may suddenly seem frightening and overwhelming.

If untreated, anxiety disorders can impair social, career, relationship, family and personal well-being. While best assessed by a professional, some of the most common indicators include:

  • Intrusive memories
  • Impaired sleep
  • Chronic sadness
  • Lethargy
  • Feelings of guilt
  • High emotional responses
  • Anxiety
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Isolation
  • Hypervigilence