Neuroscience
Psychiatric Conditions
Overview
Mood Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Psychosis
Overview Psychiatric disorders
are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological
and environmental factors. They often affect parts of the
brain which control passion or despair. And these disorders
are not preventable.
There are several broad categories of psychiatric conditions:
- Mood disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disease
- Anxiety disorders
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Social phobia
Mood disorders
Depression
Every year, more than 19 million Americans suffer from clinical
depression. Symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness or despair
- Insomnia, or excessive sleep
- Decreased appetite
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Irritability, anger, worry, agitation and anxiety
- Pessimism, indifference, poor motivation, social withdrawal
- Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
- Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
More than 80% of patients with depression can be successfully
treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of
both. Early treatment is often effective, increasing the likelihood
of preventing serious recurrences.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disease is also a mood disorder. Also known as manic
depression, there are extreme changes in mood, thought, energy
and behavior. These mood swings can last for hours, days,
weeks or even months. The lows are as outlined for depression.
Symptoms of the highs (or mania) are:
- Increased physical and mental activity and energy
- Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
- Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
- Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
- Grandiose delusions; inflated sense of self-importance
- Racing speech and thoughts
- Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractable
Treatment regimens include medication and psychotherapy.
Promising new treatments are under investigation.
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Anxiety disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety in their lives. Whether it is
a narrowly missed car accident or a presentation before a
large audience, the symptoms are the same:
- Feelings of dread or fear
- Trembling, restlessness and muscle tension
- Rapid heart rate
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Perspiration
- Cold hands and feet
- Shortness of breath
Anxiety is the essence of what is called the “flight
or fight” phenomenon. It is the body’s physiological
response to dangerous situations. In anxiety disorders, the
mechanisms that regulate the process break down, resulting
in excessive or inappropriate expressions.
According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America,
these disorders cost the United States more than $42 million
per year. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable with psychosocial
therapies, medication or a combination of the two.
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Psychosis
Psychosis is a severe mental disorder, and can occur with
or without organic damage. Symptoms span a broad range of
characteristics that encompass disturbances of perception
and thought processes. One of the most common symptoms is
hallucinations, where a person experiences a sensory impression
that is not real. It can involve any of the senses, such as
hearing a voice when there is none.
Delusions are another symptom. A false belief that a person
maintains even in the face of evidence to the contrary is
a delusion. Paranoia is a delusion in which a person is convinced
he is going to be harmed. Other symptoms include:
- Disorganized thoughts and behaviors
- Loose or illogical thoughts
- Agitation
- Personality disturbances
- Flat or blunted affect
- Concrete thoughts
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Poor motivation, spontaneity or initiative
These symptoms are the result of disturbances in the flow,
processing and interpretation of information in the central
nervous system. Treatment includes medication, pychosocial
therapy and electroconvulsive therapy.
Learn more about Psychiatric
Care at Saint Mary’s
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