I am having a problem. I can't tell if a coworker is just eccentric or mentally ill.?

Question

How can you tell the difference?

Answer 1

I always joke and say that if he's rich he's eccentric and if he's an Average Joe he's crazy. LOL But in all seriousness it may be difficult for you to tell if he is mentally ill because different types of mental illnesses have different types of symptoms. For example a person who has a psychosis many times has a break with reality. Examples of that are: hearing voices or seeing apparitions that don't exist, delusions of grandure (believing that they are a king of a mythical country or the CEO of Disney World), delusions of paranoia (the aliens or govenment is listening in on their phone calls), and scizophrenia. People who are classified as neurotic don't have a break with reality. These types of illnesses include multiple personalities, mood disorders including depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, phobias, etc.

Psychosis are probably easier indentify as well as some neurosis but in order to be correctly diagnoses, the person must be seen by a trained professional.

If this individual is making you uncomfortable you have enough reason to speak to your supervisor. Even if they are not mentally ill but their personality is still a distraction, this needs to be corrected by management.

Answer 2

Not trying to make a joke, but a truly mentally ill person might only have the capacity to be a janitor or some other 'mundane' job at your place of business. If what you do is quite complex, then your coworker is probably just eccentric. Then again there's nothing wrong with being different. I'm finding more and more every day that going along with the status quo, or doing whatever it is you have to do or be what you have to be to be "acceptable" by society's standards... is just plain boring. Don't worry about it. Just keep an eye out in case he wants to come in there with a gun one day and shoot up the place. Look for signs in his behavior and things he talks about. If he suddenly wants you to have his most treasured Swingline stapler, that means the end is near and you might not want to come to work for the next week or so.

Answer 3

There is no easy way to answer, as you have not given any information about the behavior that bothers you.

You should also consider that the coworker is actually mentally ill, and already getting treatment.

You don't need to judge the person's mental health in any case. There is no sharp borderline between mental health and illness, and probably everyone is somewhere in the grey area between the two. Even the nuttiest people have some sane aspects.

If you see a person acting self-destructively or delusionally, then you should talk sensitively to them.

Answer 4

The meaning of the word "eccentric" is strange, unusual, odd. What makes you think he/she is "mentally ill?" I think if you look at your own behaviour from time to time, you'll see that you are as crazy as everyone else. Unless a person has brain damage....There is no such thing as sanity (a word we love to use) just different levels of insanity. Would you treat him/her differently if he/she were , in your words, "mentally ill"? Just because a person doesn't conform to the norm, which is created by agreement only, doesn't mean they are mentally ill. We can't all be sheep. Have a happy Holiday

Answer 5

It's not really your concern unless the co-worker is affecting you and your ability to do your job and could possibly cause you to be terminated or denied a promotion or a better position.If that is the case report the co-worker to your immediate supervisor and above all have as much documentation as possible of what your concerns are as far as the co-workers actions. Just saying that the co-worker is annoying you without proof may get you looked at as someone that has problems getting along with others.Having other co-workers who are having problems with that co-workers actions to back up what you are alleging will go a long way in backing up your complaint and getting it resolved.

Answer 6

You would have to determine if s/he has behaviors or symptoms that would qualify for a diagnosis under the DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th edition). Until relatively recently you could view the DSM IV on-line for free but the APA has really been trying to thwart the efforts of those who make it accessible (though you can purchase one from any store or purchase access on-line).

This being said, a diagnosis should be made ONLY by trained professionals. If you are concerned that your co-worker is a threat to him/herself or to others, or unable to provided his/her own personal basic needs, you may wish to report your concerns to your management or to HR. Otherwise, I'd let him/her be.

If you're curious about the DSM IV, here's a site that breaks it down for the lay person (URL below).

Answer 7

Without further information it is difficult to tell. Is the co-worker an obsessive-compulsive person? You have to realize that most people have a form of mental illness, but they exhibit it in socially acceptable way, so that it is not noticed. If it seems to be extremely irrational behavior mention it to your supervisor.

Answer 8

Best solution would be a doctor's opinion. If this is not an option, then visit a web site that offers online tests on mental health and you give the answers for your co-worker. According to the results either talk to him or your supervisor.
http://www.psychiatry24x7.com
A web search could propably give you more choices:
mental health online tests
Best of luck for both of you!

Answer 9

Menatlly ill means one cannot make decisions. Recovered psychotics are using a logic patch for their brain damage. They can be very eccentric.

Answer 10

more than likely he/she is eccentric or the boss would have had a psyciatric evaluation done, more than like there *** would not there- u did not give much for us to go by (dillusion, irrational and illogical act s could be a sign of mental illness)