Mental disorders do not only influence feelings of an individual but can have an effect on how people think, interact with others and perceive the world around them. It is true for all mental disorders, from anxiety and depression to burnout syndrome and others. Regardless of the type of mental disorder, it is very likely that such a period will have some long-term consequences which are often negative but, sometimes, can be surprisingly positive.
When suffering from mental illness, a person faces a number of problems that were easily managed before. Such problems as being unable to perform daily routine tasks and feeling overwhelmed, withdrawal from family and friends, lack of interest in hobbies and activities, concentration problems, feeling detached from self, decrease in self-esteem and self-confidence are common symptoms of mental illness.
Mental illness is able to change the perception of the world around the individual. Safe experiences may start to appear uncertain to the person; the trust to oneself can be lost. Many individuals start being extra-cautious and sensitive about stressful experiences. This kind of reaction is rather natural when coping with overwhelming experiences.
However, recovery is not just about reverting back into the person that one used to be. For many people, it involves becoming a whole new person, someone who understands themselves better and is more aware of the things that trigger certain reactions and stresses. Moreover, such individuals value sleep and personal space and become more compassionate, more empathic and resilient in relation to other people experiencing similar problems and hardships.
The consequences of mental illness remain even if one has started feeling better and no longer experiences its symptoms anymore. It is quite common to feel anxious about the possibility of relapsing and to experience some shift in terms of self-confidence or outlook on life. Nevertheless, recovery implies not about getting rid of one's past, but about being able to live with it.
A crisis of mental nature can alter the personality of an individual but it certainly does not mean that this individual is not valuable anymore. Quite contrary, it helps one to realize one's strengths in the process of recovery.