Understanding Mental Illness
Las enfermedades mentales son alteraciones clínicamente significativas de la cognición, la regulación de las emociones o el comportamiento de un individuo. Pueden afectar a cualquier persona y pueden tener diversas causas: desde factores genéticos hasta influencias biológicas, ambientales y socioculturales. No es culpa de nadie. No es algo "extraño" o anormal. Sin embargo, puede ser difícil de entender. Explora las siguiente información para aprender más sobre términos específicos de salud mental.
Hay muchos tipos diferentes de trastornos mentales.
También se denominan problemas de salud mental, aunque este último término es más amplio y abarca los trastornos mentales, las discapacidades psicosociales y (otros) estados mentales asociados a una angustia considerable, discapacidad funcional o riesgo de conducta autolesiva.
Anxiety Disorders
There is a difference between occasional anxiety and anxiety disorders. Occasional anxiety involves temporary worry or fear while an anxiety disorder is characterized by anxiety, worry, or fear that is strong enough to interfere with daily activities.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder are more severe than the normal ups-and-downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar Disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But Bipolar Disorder can be treated. A combination of professional counseling and medication helps most people live productive and fulfilling lives.
Bipolar Disorder symptoms are sometimes not recognized as parts of a larger problem, so it can be years before a person is properly diagnosed and treated. While some experience symptoms during childhood, Bipolar Disorder often develops in a person’s late teens or early adult years. It has been reported that at least half of all cases start before age 25.
Depression
Depression is a serious medical illness; it’s not something that you make up in your head. More than a feeling of being “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days, the symptoms of Depression are severe and debilitating. Depression is characterized by feeling “down,” “low” and “hopeless” for weeks at a time. Factors that can contribute to the onset of Depression include stress, poor nutrition, physical illness, personal loss, relationship difficulties and the presence of other physical disorders.
Depression isn’t always easy to detect, and people with depressive conditions can experience different symptoms. It may be expressed through lack of appetite or overeating; insomnia or an unnatural desire to sleep; the abuse of drugs and alcohol; sexual promiscuity; or hostile, aggressive, or risk-taking behavior.
Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective Disorder is a psychiatric condition which shares elements with both Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.
Patients suffering from Schizoaffective Disorder typically experience a course of mood instability which can be reminiscent of Bipolar Illness with swings into mania and depression, as well as recurrent Unipolar depressive episodes. However, these individuals also suffer from ongoing psychotic symptoms which can include delusions and hallucinosis, and which may persist in between major episodes of mood instability.
Patients with Schizoaffective Disorder are generally thought to have a better prognosis than patients with Schizophrenia, but not as favorable as patients with fully remitting Bipolar Disorder, or Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder.
ADD / ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Children with ADHD also may struggle with low self-esteem, troubled relationships and poor performance in school. Symptoms sometimes lessen with age.
However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms. But they can learn strategies to be successful. While treatment won’t cure ADHD, it can help a great deal with symptoms. Treatment typically involves medications and behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in outcome. ADHD has been called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in the past.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) escapes reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy.
The person experiences a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions and identity. The symptoms of DID — ranging from amnesia to alternate identities — depend in part on the type you have. Symptoms usually develop as a reaction to trauma and help keep difficult memories at bay.
Times of stress can temporarily worsen symptoms, making them more obvious. Dissociative disorders cause problems with functioning in everyday life. Treatment for DID may include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication. Although treating dissociative disorders can be difficult, many people learn new ways of coping and lead healthy, productive lives.