As I continue talking about mental health, I want to go deeper into one of the most difficult and misunderstood parts of this journey—the challenge of diagnosing mental disorders. In the previous chapter, I shared that mental disorders are caused by biological changes in the brain and that diagnosing them is not easy. Now, I want to explain why it is so complex, using what I have seen, learned, and experienced.
One of the greatest challenges in diagnosing mental disorders is that there is no single test that can clearly confirm them. There is no blood test, no physical examination, and no simple scan that can say, “Yes, this person has a mental disorder.” Unlike many physical illnesses, mental health conditions cannot be detected through laboratory results or visible physical signs. This alone makes mental health diagnosis difficult and, at times, uncertain.
Because there are no definitive tests, mental health specialists rely heavily on symptoms. They listen to what a person says, observe how they behave, and try to understand changes in mood, thinking, and behavior. But symptoms are not fixed. They change from day to day, sometimes even from hour to hour. A person may appear calm today and distressed tomorrow. If you do not spend enough time with someone, it becomes very easy to miss these changes.
This leads to another major challenge—limited interaction. In many cases, mental health specialists do not spend long periods of time with the people they assess. They may see someone briefly, ask questions, and make decisions based on what is presented at that moment. Without extended interaction, it becomes hard to fully understand a person’s patterns, behaviors, and struggles. Mental illness often reveals itself slowly, not all at once.
Another difficulty is the lack of personal history. Mental health specialists may not know the full background of the person they are assessing. They may not know what the person was like before the illness began, how their behavior has changed over time, or what their normal functioning looks like. Sometimes, even the person affected cannot clearly explain their own life, experiences, or struggles. When communication is limited, important details are lost.
Because of this, the people who live with or stay close to someone with a mental disorder play a critical role. Caregivers, spouses, children, family members, and close friends are often the first to notice changes. They are the ones who see behavior day after day. They are the ones who observe mood shifts, unusual actions, withdrawal, agitation, or confusion. Without their observations, many symptoms would go unnoticed.
I remember a time when I stayed with a person who had a mental health condition. I lived with this person for about two to three weeks, and at first, I kept wondering whether this person was truly unwell. For days, everything seemed normal. It was only after spending more time together that I began to notice certain behaviors and patterns. That is when it became clear that something was not right. This experience taught me an important lesson—you cannot always identify mental illness immediately. Sometimes, it takes time, patience, and close observation.
This is also why the person affected may not be able to explain what is happening to them. Many people with mental disorders do not recognize that they are unwell. They may not understand that their thoughts, behaviors, or actions are unusual. This is why others must speak up. The responsibility often falls on those around them to report what they see.
In many cases, behavior therapists play an important role. When someone is suspected of having a mental disorder, a behavior therapist can spend time interacting with them, observing their actions, and identifying patterns of behavior. This kind of close observation helps provide valuable information that supports diagnosis and treatment.
Another major challenge is that many symptoms appear across different mental disorders. Anxiety, agitation, confusion, and emotional distress are found in several conditions. Because of this overlap, it becomes very difficult to narrow down exactly which disorder a person has. One symptom does not point to one diagnosis. Mental health specialists must look at the bigger picture, which takes time and careful evaluation.
All these challenges show why diagnosing mental disorders is not straightforward. There must be someone who consistently observes behavior changes. There must be someone who notices symptoms as they appear and disappear. Whether it is a caregiver, a spouse, a parent, a child, or a therapist, someone has to speak on behalf of the person who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Many people say that individuals with mental disorders live in their own world. This is often misunderstood. What it really means is that they may not recognize that their behavior is inappropriate or unusual. For example, someone may engage in actions that society considers unacceptable, not because they choose to, but because their illness affects their awareness and judgment. They may not understand that what they are doing is not socially appropriate.
This is why awareness is so important. Recognizing behavior changes early can help overcome many of the challenges involved in diagnosis. The person affected may not be able to identify their condition, but those around them can. Observing, documenting, and communicating symptoms can make a significant difference in getting the right help.
As I continue this conversation, my main message is simple. If you are living with someone who has a mental disorder, you play a vital role. You may be the one who notices the changes. You may be the one who helps them get support. Mental health is not an individual issue—it is a shared responsibility. And understanding this is a powerful step toward care, compassion, and healing.
One of the greatest challenges in diagnosing mental disorders is that there is no single test that can clearly confirm them. There is no blood test, no physical examination, and no simple scan that can say, “Yes, this person has a mental disorder.” Unlike many physical illnesses, mental health conditions cannot be detected through laboratory results or visible physical signs. This alone makes mental health diagnosis difficult and, at times, uncertain.
Because there are no definitive tests, mental health specialists rely heavily on symptoms. They listen to what a person says, observe how they behave, and try to understand changes in mood, thinking, and behavior. But symptoms are not fixed. They change from day to day, sometimes even from hour to hour. A person may appear calm today and distressed tomorrow. If you do not spend enough time with someone, it becomes very easy to miss these changes.
This leads to another major challenge—limited interaction. In many cases, mental health specialists do not spend long periods of time with the people they assess. They may see someone briefly, ask questions, and make decisions based on what is presented at that moment. Without extended interaction, it becomes hard to fully understand a person’s patterns, behaviors, and struggles. Mental illness often reveals itself slowly, not all at once.
Another difficulty is the lack of personal history. Mental health specialists may not know the full background of the person they are assessing. They may not know what the person was like before the illness began, how their behavior has changed over time, or what their normal functioning looks like. Sometimes, even the person affected cannot clearly explain their own life, experiences, or struggles. When communication is limited, important details are lost.
Because of this, the people who live with or stay close to someone with a mental disorder play a critical role. Caregivers, spouses, children, family members, and close friends are often the first to notice changes. They are the ones who see behavior day after day. They are the ones who observe mood shifts, unusual actions, withdrawal, agitation, or confusion. Without their observations, many symptoms would go unnoticed.
I remember a time when I stayed with a person who had a mental health condition. I lived with this person for about two to three weeks, and at first, I kept wondering whether this person was truly unwell. For days, everything seemed normal. It was only after spending more time together that I began to notice certain behaviors and patterns. That is when it became clear that something was not right. This experience taught me an important lesson—you cannot always identify mental illness immediately. Sometimes, it takes time, patience, and close observation.
This is also why the person affected may not be able to explain what is happening to them. Many people with mental disorders do not recognize that they are unwell. They may not understand that their thoughts, behaviors, or actions are unusual. This is why others must speak up. The responsibility often falls on those around them to report what they see.
In many cases, behavior therapists play an important role. When someone is suspected of having a mental disorder, a behavior therapist can spend time interacting with them, observing their actions, and identifying patterns of behavior. This kind of close observation helps provide valuable information that supports diagnosis and treatment.
Another major challenge is that many symptoms appear across different mental disorders. Anxiety, agitation, confusion, and emotional distress are found in several conditions. Because of this overlap, it becomes very difficult to narrow down exactly which disorder a person has. One symptom does not point to one diagnosis. Mental health specialists must look at the bigger picture, which takes time and careful evaluation.
All these challenges show why diagnosing mental disorders is not straightforward. There must be someone who consistently observes behavior changes. There must be someone who notices symptoms as they appear and disappear. Whether it is a caregiver, a spouse, a parent, a child, or a therapist, someone has to speak on behalf of the person who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Many people say that individuals with mental disorders live in their own world. This is often misunderstood. What it really means is that they may not recognize that their behavior is inappropriate or unusual. For example, someone may engage in actions that society considers unacceptable, not because they choose to, but because their illness affects their awareness and judgment. They may not understand that what they are doing is not socially appropriate.
This is why awareness is so important. Recognizing behavior changes early can help overcome many of the challenges involved in diagnosis. The person affected may not be able to identify their condition, but those around them can. Observing, documenting, and communicating symptoms can make a significant difference in getting the right help.
As I continue this conversation, my main message is simple. If you are living with someone who has a mental disorder, you play a vital role. You may be the one who notices the changes. You may be the one who helps them get support. Mental health is not an individual issue—it is a shared responsibility. And understanding this is a powerful step toward care, compassion, and healing.
