There are many different psychological conditions that plague people today. Fortunately, early intervention strategies are an important part of combating mental disorders in young people. Psychosis is a condition in which a person experiences delusions or hallucinations. These symptoms affect thinking, feeling, and behavior. While psychosis is not a disease on its own, it may be triggered by other mental health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, stress, and drug misuse.
Mental disorders cause a significant amount of disability in the world. Globally, they cause approximately 125 million DALYs. This equates to about four per 100 000 population. Among those affected by mental disorders, depressive disorders account for the highest proportion of DALYs. Other conditions, including anxiety disorders, are responsible for a lower percentage of DALYs.
The Mental Health by Demographics study provides new insight into mental disorders and their distribution in the population. It found that women consume more mental health care services than men, and that those seeking care see more than one provider. The study also shows that individuals seek treatment for mental health problems in primary care settings and specialized mental health care settings. These findings highlight the need for better treatment programs. In this post, I discuss the top 5 Psychological Disorders.
Anxiety Disorders
If you have an anxiety disorder, it is important to see a doctor and discuss your concerns. Anxiety disorders are caused by genetics, stress, and life situations. A lack of these chemicals in the brain can lead to increased anxiety and worry. Other factors that can cause anxiety are alcohol dependence and depression. Treatment for anxiety disorders varies, but some treatments are effective and can be done at home without the help of a clinical psychologist. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that helps people manage their worrying behaviors.
Anxiety is an emotion we all experience from time to time. While some anxiety is normal, excessive anxiety can disrupt daily life and interfere with your activities. It can even cause physical symptoms. These physical symptoms include sweating, trembling, and difficulty breathing. People suffering from anxiety may also avoid certain places or situations that could trigger their symptoms.
Medication is one option for treating anxiety disorders. There are several types of antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics. However, medication can have side effects. Therefore, it is important to discuss this option with your doctor.
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Depressive Disorders
Depression is a common medical condition with numerous symptoms. It usually manifests itself as an unhappy mood. Patients with depressive disorders may have down-turned lips and have poor eye contact. They may also have less facial expression or body movement, and their speech may sound monotonous. Some patients may even neglect their personal hygiene. If a person has been diagnosed with depression, they may need immediate treatment.
Major depression is a depressive disorder in which the person is in a depressed mood most of the time or almost constantly. This mood persists for two weeks or more. It can occur at any age, but most often occurs in adulthood. An episode of depression may occur once, but most people have several episodes over time.
Other symptoms of depression include sadness, irritability, anger, and poor performance in school. The symptoms can also affect a person’s health, leading them to eat too much or use recreational drugs. Sometimes, a person can become so depressed that they self-harm. Some people even become underweight.
Although it may be difficult to cope with the symptoms of depression, it is possible to learn how to manage them and prevent them from re-occurring. Lifestyle changes, like getting enough sleep, can help people deal with the symptoms. Often, medications and psychotherapy are not enough to cure depression; however, they can help manage the symptoms. Depending on the severity of the disorder, a patient may require a combination of treatments. If this is the case, a healthcare professional can help devise a treatment plan tailored to their needs.
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Trauma Disorders
Trauma Disorders are psychological and emotional conditions that occur as a result of stressful events or circumstances. Typically, these events involve a risk to life or safety, but trauma can be caused by any situation that causes an individual to feel alone and isolated. In addition to physical trauma, traumatic experiences can also involve loss of a loved one. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men, and they tend to experience longer periods of symptoms.
People who have experienced complex trauma may experience negative feelings about themselves and others, as well as unsettling sensations in their body. These effects can be long-lasting and can lead to many difficulties years later. For example, children who have experienced multiple traumatic events may develop survival strategies and methods that allow them to survive and function in an unstable environment. They may also become overly sensitive to their feelings and emotions.
Although traumatic events can be devastating and may be difficult to deal with, if you seek treatment, you will find that you can recover and live a normal life again. If you feel your symptoms are limiting your life, visit a trauma specialist. They can prescribe a therapy that will help you cope with traumatic memories.
Although data on the effects of traumatic events on individuals are scarce, research shows that individuals exposed to natural disasters are more likely to develop psychiatric conditions like panic disorders and a variety of depressive disorders. There are also increased risks of substance abuse and chronic pain syndromes.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
In order to accurately diagnose autism, a multidisciplinary team of professionals is needed to assess the symptoms and conduct proper testing. Typically, this team includes a pediatrician, a psychologist, a speech pathologist, and an occupational therapist. The team members may assess the child together or separately, and they will share their findings with each other. They will also determine whether there are any co-existing conditions that could be affecting the child’s development.
Each child with ASD has unique characteristics and symptoms. The core symptoms may manifest differently in each child, so an in-depth evaluation with a specialist is vital. The evaluation will identify areas for improvement and strengths for development. It’s also important to monitor your child’s development and treatment plan, as symptoms may change over time. For example, a child may experience sensory symptoms, such as heightened sensitivity to light or noise.
In the DSM-5, autism is categorized into three severity levels. Each severity level specifies the level of support required by a person with autism to function in a social environment. A person with autism may require a variety of supports, and their level of assistance may vary. In addition, the severity rating is only a guideline, and does not determine eligibility for services.
Autism symptoms are visible in early childhood and are often subtle in nature. Parents may notice subtle differences in their child even before their child reaches his or her first birthday. For example, a child who does not make eye contact or respond to his or her name may be showing symptoms of autism. In addition, a child may be less responsive to gestures and verbal speech.
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Attention Disorders
ADHD is a brain disorder with a wide range of symptoms. Typically, people with ADHD struggle to concentrate and can be inattentive in a variety of situations. These symptoms can cause problems in school and social settings. The symptoms of ADHD may continue well into adulthood. In addition, these symptoms can be associated with other neurodevelopmental and non-psychiatric disorders.
Attention is a range of cognitive functions that include the ability to select relevant stimuli, maintaining goal-directed behavior over time, and processing multiple streams of information at once. While it may seem strange to think of schizophrenia as an attention disorder, certain psychiatric studies have suggested that it involves a failure of selective attention. Other cognitive disorders associated with attention include prosopagnosia, which is a condition in which a person is unable to identify faces. It is possible that genetic factors are involved.
Children with attention disorders are often inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. This is typical in young children, though some children are more active than others. Some of these children may have impulsive behavior that leads to serious consequences. It is important to seek treatment for attention disorders if they become a problem.
Attention disorders often lead to behavioral and social problems. A child with attention deficit disorder may struggle with following instructions, completing tasks, and interacting with others. This condition is often accompanied by problems with working memory and executive function.
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About the Author: Prof. Michael Moates, MA, LP, LBA, LCMHC, LADAC
Professor Moates is a Licensed Psychologist, Behavior Analyst, Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He holds 23 clinical licenses in 11 different states. In addition to clinical practice, Professor Moates educates students at a non-profit university in California. He teaches both general education and psychology coursework.
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