Mental disorders cause changes in an individual’s thinking, emotions or their behavior which can be associated with distress or problems with the normal functioning in social activities. With the research on the understanding of how the human brain works, several mental disorders can be successfully managed. Some forms of mental disorders may mildly impact an individual’s daily life while others severe forms may require care in a hospital. Most of the mental conditions are considered to develop by the age of 24 and early support is essential for improved outcomes. Some of the mental disorders include depression, schizophrenia and other psychoses, bipolar disorder, dementia, delusional disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Depression
This is a common disorder characterized by the loss of interest or pleasure, feeling of guilt, low self-esteem, sadness, fatigue, poor concentration and loss of appetite. The depression can vary among the cases which can be long-lasting or recurrent and the most severe form leading to suicide. Mild to moderate forms of depression can be treated with talking therapies and antidepressants are administered to those with the severe form.
Schizophrenia and other psychoses
This is a severe mental disorder that affects the individual’s thinking, language, perception, sense of self and behavior. The common symptoms of this include hallucinations and delusions. Individuals with schizophrenia present the unusual behaviors which can disrupt their lives and those around them. This disorder typically beings in late adolescence or early childhood. Schizophrenia can usually be treated with a combination of antipsychotic drugs and psychotherapy. With the appropriate treatment and social support, these affected individuals can continue to live a productive life.
Dementia
This is not a disease but a syndrome that describes a range of symptoms. The progressive change develops from the abnormal protein accumulation in the brain. Some of the common forms of progressive dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia. Some of the common symptoms of dementia include problems with motor functions, impaired ability to focus, disorientation, inability to communicate effectively, memory loss and difficulty with reasoning. Additional changes can include paranoia, anxiety, hallucinations, depression and personality changes. The treatment includes medications to help with the symptoms and the nondrug intervention includes occupational therapy.
Bipolar disorder
This is a serious mental condition characterized by the unusual mood changes of the affected individual. They can experience the very happy episode known as mania and the very sad, hopeless and inactive mood as depression. They can often experience the normal mood in between. Bipolar disorder beings among the late teens or early adult years and is usually a lifetime disorder. Effective treatment options are available to control the symptoms including medications and talk therapy.
Obsessive compulsive disorder
This is characterized by the obsession of images, certain urges, thoughts or worries that make an individual feel anxious with the compulsions of repetitive activities to reduce the anxiety. The symptoms of this disorder can come and go, easing over time or become worse. They may avoid the triggering situations or use alcohol to ease the symptoms. This disorder is usually treated with medication or psychotherapy but sometimes the combination of both.
References
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-treatment.aspx
https://medlineplus.gov/bipolardisorder.html
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/schizophrenia/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs396/en/
