Psychological Disorders
(according to what I have learned in college)
Risk factors of psychological disorders include: family history (genetics as well as their influence on your life), stress (even while in the mother's womb), chronic illness, obesity, social isolation, substance abuse, and malnutrition. A release of inflammatory chemicals from stress, chronic illness and obesity also play a major part as increased risk factors.
Anxiety Disorders: are the most common psychological disorders.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is when one has unrelenting worries about unspecific things.
Panic disorder is when one has sudden recurrent panic attacks with a feeling of doom. The person is usually fine in between these attacks.
Phobias are morbid irrational fears of a specific object or situation.
Obessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) consists on obsessive thoughts, doubts, or worries and ritual behaviours that temporary relieve thoughts.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop within 3 months of a stressor. It is usually experienced with a sense of helplessness. This disorder includes emotional numbing, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, and nightmares.
Treatments of Anxiety Disorders depend on the disorder, but usually include taking very small baby steps towards exposure of the object/event that causes the anxiety. Resisting the urge to undergo the compulsive behaviour in OCD can help re-program the brain to stop being as anxious. Psychotherapy, antidepressants, calming herbs (such as St. John's Wort, Skullcap, Chamomile, and many others), yoga, expressive writing, and exercise are also other treatment options.
Mood Disorders: are psychiatric conditions that disturb mood (they can only be diagnosed through an interview with a qualified health-care practitioner, not through physical examination or tests).
Symptoms of depression include: sad or angry mood, loss of interest in things that you used to find interesting, anhedonia (can't feel passionate about anything), irritability, feeling of guilt, a feel of low self worth/value (often inhibits one to get help, because they feel they do not deserve help), low energy, poor sleep, decreased pain tolerance, lack of appetite, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
Major depression disorder is when someone has five or more symptoms of depression for at least two weeks.
Dysthymia is a low level of depression that does not significantly affect functions for a period of two or more years.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is depression caused by the shorter days in fall and winter.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is depression only in the few days (or week) before menstruation.
Postpartum disorder is depression following the birth of a child (men can get this too).
Bipolar disorder (BPD) a.k.a Manic-depressive disorder is when one undergoes periods of depression and periods of mania (which is described as high energy, low levels of sleep, restlessness, agitation, rapid thoughts, and impulse behaviours).
Treatments of depression include the following options: psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, positive activity intervention (optimism, being grateful, and practicing kindness), bright-light therapy, brain stimulation therapy (shock therapy), physical activity (which may be as effective as antidepressants for some people but can take longer to see results), yoga, acupuncture, herbal remedies (St. John's Wort, but it also makes your liver more efficient at removing other medications from your body including contraceptives), omega-3 oils, folic acid (a type of vitamin B), mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (changing your view and brain connections to the situation).
Psychotic Disorders: are radical changes in personality and an impairment of thought and/or emotions which lead to a loss of contact with reality (psychosis).
Some causes of psychotic disorders are: substances, medical conditions (such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or Lewy body dementia), and psychiatric conditions (such as schizophrenia which effects 4/1,000 people world wide).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): is a behavioural disorder when children or adults experience a degree of distract ability or inattention. They are often restless, hyperactive, impulsive, easily bored or frustrated, and may drift off in thought. Many different combinations of these signs and symptoms are possible to experience as well.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown; however, genetics, exercise level, social factors, television, environment, and diet are some theories of possible affecting factors. Usually, signs of ADHD surface before the child is age 7.
Treatment for ADHD usually consists of stimulant medications and therapy. Continuing education with considerate teachers can teach kids valuable life skills such as focus and planning.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Is a group of disorders characterized by problems with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviours. Children with ASD usually avoid eye contact and touch. They often do not play well with others and have difficulty expressing their emotions (also a delayed development of speech is common). They usually focus on only a few narrow interests and very little else.
Well before age 3 developmental delays will be present, so the best way to diagnose this is by careful observation of the child's growth and development from parents (or the care-taker). This affects 1/88 children by 8 years of age. A boy's risk is 4 times greater than a girl's. The exact cause of ASD is unknown, but genetics and environment play a part as early as pregnancy with the child.
Treatments include special education and therapy (as soon as possible) to increase social communication skills and manage potentially dangerous behaviours.
Suicide: is taking one's own life, or attempting to.
There are many warning signs of suicide, including (but not limited to): A feeling of hopelessness/helplessness, expressing rage or agitation, a sudden increase of high risk activities, alcohol, or drugs, withdrawing from friends or family, and having thoughts/writing/talking about suicide. Depression is a major cause of suicide.
Treatment for a feeling of suicide is often getting help immediately. Call 911 or visit suicide hotlines (on websites or over the phone).
Anxiety Disorders: are the most common psychological disorders.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is when one has unrelenting worries about unspecific things.
Panic disorder is when one has sudden recurrent panic attacks with a feeling of doom. The person is usually fine in between these attacks.
Phobias are morbid irrational fears of a specific object or situation.
Obessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) consists on obsessive thoughts, doubts, or worries and ritual behaviours that temporary relieve thoughts.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop within 3 months of a stressor. It is usually experienced with a sense of helplessness. This disorder includes emotional numbing, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks, and nightmares.
Treatments of Anxiety Disorders depend on the disorder, but usually include taking very small baby steps towards exposure of the object/event that causes the anxiety. Resisting the urge to undergo the compulsive behaviour in OCD can help re-program the brain to stop being as anxious. Psychotherapy, antidepressants, calming herbs (such as St. John's Wort, Skullcap, Chamomile, and many others), yoga, expressive writing, and exercise are also other treatment options.
Mood Disorders: are psychiatric conditions that disturb mood (they can only be diagnosed through an interview with a qualified health-care practitioner, not through physical examination or tests).
Symptoms of depression include: sad or angry mood, loss of interest in things that you used to find interesting, anhedonia (can't feel passionate about anything), irritability, feeling of guilt, a feel of low self worth/value (often inhibits one to get help, because they feel they do not deserve help), low energy, poor sleep, decreased pain tolerance, lack of appetite, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
Major depression disorder is when someone has five or more symptoms of depression for at least two weeks.
Dysthymia is a low level of depression that does not significantly affect functions for a period of two or more years.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is depression caused by the shorter days in fall and winter.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is depression only in the few days (or week) before menstruation.
Postpartum disorder is depression following the birth of a child (men can get this too).
Bipolar disorder (BPD) a.k.a Manic-depressive disorder is when one undergoes periods of depression and periods of mania (which is described as high energy, low levels of sleep, restlessness, agitation, rapid thoughts, and impulse behaviours).
Treatments of depression include the following options: psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, positive activity intervention (optimism, being grateful, and practicing kindness), bright-light therapy, brain stimulation therapy (shock therapy), physical activity (which may be as effective as antidepressants for some people but can take longer to see results), yoga, acupuncture, herbal remedies (St. John's Wort, but it also makes your liver more efficient at removing other medications from your body including contraceptives), omega-3 oils, folic acid (a type of vitamin B), mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioural therapy (changing your view and brain connections to the situation).
Psychotic Disorders: are radical changes in personality and an impairment of thought and/or emotions which lead to a loss of contact with reality (psychosis).
Some causes of psychotic disorders are: substances, medical conditions (such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or Lewy body dementia), and psychiatric conditions (such as schizophrenia which effects 4/1,000 people world wide).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): is a behavioural disorder when children or adults experience a degree of distract ability or inattention. They are often restless, hyperactive, impulsive, easily bored or frustrated, and may drift off in thought. Many different combinations of these signs and symptoms are possible to experience as well.
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown; however, genetics, exercise level, social factors, television, environment, and diet are some theories of possible affecting factors. Usually, signs of ADHD surface before the child is age 7.
Treatment for ADHD usually consists of stimulant medications and therapy. Continuing education with considerate teachers can teach kids valuable life skills such as focus and planning.
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Is a group of disorders characterized by problems with social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviours. Children with ASD usually avoid eye contact and touch. They often do not play well with others and have difficulty expressing their emotions (also a delayed development of speech is common). They usually focus on only a few narrow interests and very little else.
Well before age 3 developmental delays will be present, so the best way to diagnose this is by careful observation of the child's growth and development from parents (or the care-taker). This affects 1/88 children by 8 years of age. A boy's risk is 4 times greater than a girl's. The exact cause of ASD is unknown, but genetics and environment play a part as early as pregnancy with the child.
Treatments include special education and therapy (as soon as possible) to increase social communication skills and manage potentially dangerous behaviours.
Suicide: is taking one's own life, or attempting to.
There are many warning signs of suicide, including (but not limited to): A feeling of hopelessness/helplessness, expressing rage or agitation, a sudden increase of high risk activities, alcohol, or drugs, withdrawing from friends or family, and having thoughts/writing/talking about suicide. Depression is a major cause of suicide.
Treatment for a feeling of suicide is often getting help immediately. Call 911 or visit suicide hotlines (on websites or over the phone).