Health Issues

Chapter 6 — Anxiety Disorders Definitions and Diagnoses The anxiety disorders are the most common group of psychiatric disorders. The term anxiety refers to the sensations of nervousness, tension, apprehension, and fear that emanate from the anticipation of danger, which may be internal or external. Anxiety disorders describe different clusters of signs and symptoms of anxiety, panic, and phobias. A panic … Read more

A patient who is struggling with both a drug and/or alcohol problem and a psychiatric or emotional disorder is said to be living with a co-occurring disorder, or a Dual Diagnosis. These issues can have signs that intertwine and affect each other, causing the patient to experience serious problems with symptom management. How can you tell … Read more

In any given year, about 5.2 million adults have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Each person with PTSD is different. They are of different ages, different races, different backgrounds, and different belief systems. They all may have come to mental illness via different routes, too, but they all share … Read more

Those who struggle with insomnia disorder have a hard time falling asleep at night, staying asleep for the duration of the night, or both. It is an issue for many in the United States and the disorder can cause a host of related problems that come with risks of their own. The National Institute on Neurological … Read more

Rape affects people of all backgrounds, ages and genders. Rape is a traumatic experience and many rape survivors suffer long-term consequences. Sometimes, substance use can become a way to self-medicate painful feelings, or compulsive behaviors may serve as a way to gain a sense of control over life. If you have been raped and currently … Read more

The origins of the consumer/ family alcohol & drug and mental health advocacy movements Sheryl McCormick, Advocacy Coordinator The more things change, the more they stay the same. Under the banner, “The Law Must Recognize a Leading Fact: Medical Not Penal Treatment Reforms the Drunkard,” the Keeley League, a national patient mutual aid society that combined … Read more

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is a debilitating condition that is often misrepresented in popular culture and misunderstood by the general public. BPD distorts the individual’s self-perception and interferes with their ability to maintain stable relationships. Those who suffer from BPD are seen as highly manipulative, dependent and dramatic, but mental health professionals understand that … Read more

Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by a combination of schizophrenia and mood disorders. A hard disease to categorize, it usually features one or more of the primary symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions, disorganized behavior, hallucinations, etc.) and manic episodes that may or may not include depression. Imagine the difficulty of schizoaffective disorder treatment when it is combined … Read more

More people than ever are being treated for depression. Unfortunately, they may not be the people who actually need treatment. A new study published August 29, 2016, in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that of 46,417 adults, 8.4 percent of them screened positive for depression. Yet of those 3,899 people, only 28.7 percent received any treatment.1 That means … Read more

Anxiety can take many forms. For some, it’s a feeling of nervousness sparked by a person, a place or a thing. For others, it’s an undertow of worry caused by an unresolved event from the past. For still others, it’s a constant presence brought about by something they just can’t name. All of these people … Read more

Alcoholism is one of the leading lifestyle-related causes of disease and death in the United States. According to statistics from the University of California at San Francisco, alcohol abuse is responsible for 1,400 disease-related deaths, 17,000 motor vehicle fatalities and 500,000 injuries in the US each year. The longer you drink heavily, and the more alcohol you … Read more

The word “codependency” is somewhat controversial. To some, it’s a word that could be applied to a reasonable set of behaviors a family engages in when facing a substance abuse problem. To others, it’s a mental illness that arises due to a substance abuse problem that happened many, many years ago. To still others, the disorder doesn’t … Read more

One of the most moving talks I ever heard was given by former U.S. Senator George McGovern. He spoke eloquently about his daughter Terry, who had both alcoholism and depression. He gave a detailed account of all that he, his wife and many others did to help Terry recover, only to be shocked and saddened … Read more

In most types of bipolar disorder, a patient struggles with episodes of depression and episodes of mania, or high energy, in a cyclical pattern, but mixed bipolar disorder is defined by the experience of episodes characterized by both mania and depression simultaneously or in quick sequence. Those who experience mixed episodes are often diagnosed with bipolar … Read more

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder have captured national attention in recent years. While millions of Americans try to lose weight through diets, exercise programs and cleanses, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health estimates that one out of every 200 American women meets the criteria for anorexia, while two to three out … Read more

Few, if any, mental health disorders leave a person feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. In fact, more often than not, mental health problems do just the opposite. Exhausted by the constant up and downs of mood swings, persistent low feelings, and general psychological anguish, people diagnosed with mental health disorders frequently can feel subjected to the … Read more

Opiates are drugs derived from the opium poppy plant. They are very effective at treating pain and are found in many different types of painkillers, including: Morphine Thebaine Codeine Opiates help alleviate aches and discomfort by inhibiting pain receptors in the brain. They can also give the body a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. Although … Read more

In the mind of a heroin abuser, depression and addiction are often deeply intertwined. Heroin is a powerful opiate that alters the user’s brain chemistry, causing mood changes, suicidal behavior, psychological dependence and addiction. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment estimates that close to half (48 percent) of opiate users have experienced depression at some point in their lives. … Read more

A blow to the head can cause serious and persistent injuries to the brain. Cells can be damaged if the blow causes the brain to rattle about inside the skull, and sometimes, head injuries are so severe that brain cells die due to blunt trauma or a lack of oxygen. According to the U.S. Centers … Read more

Schizophrenia is not a singular diagnosis but a disorder that is characterized by a number of different types. Paranoid type schizophrenia is defined by the patient’s unwavering belief that someone or something is conspiring to harm him. This is usually the primary obsession of the person and even with evidence to the contrary, he will tend … Read more

What Is ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a chronic behavioral disorder. While it is commonly affiliated with children, the disorder affects many adults, too. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, around eight million America adults suffer from ADHD. As of 2011, roughly 6.4 million children were affected by it, the Centers for Disease Control … Read more

When done properly, an intervention is an expression of love and support for someone who is going through a challenging time. Unfortunately, for someone with narcissistic personality disorder, an intervention can have an entirely different interpretation of the purpose of the process. To them, it’s an expression of the family’s weakness or inability to see … Read more

There are many schools of thought when it comes to combating addiction. Some of them have arisen from recent developments in the fields of psychiatry and medicine, and others have been around for much, much longer. As we understand more about the human condition and the things that drive some people to dangerous behavior, we … Read more

Clubs are hot, sweaty, crowded places full of loud music and flashing lights. They can be wonderfully exciting for young people, who might find the idea of dancing all night with complete strangers to be incredibly liberating. But some teens might be intimidated by the idea of cutting loose in a club, and they might … Read more

Dual Diagnoses — the coexisting problems of addiction and mental illness — are often hard to treat because of the unstable nature of the individuals involved. Couple that with the fact that drugs and alcohol only make a mental condition worse, and you’ve got a high-risk patient who could easily spiral out of control. This … Read more

We all have times when we worry: about our personal relationships, our families, our jobs, our finances or our futures. But if you live in a constant state of worry that manifests itself in physical and psychological ways, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD. Some people who live with this psychiatric … Read more

This publication is part of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant technical assistance program. All material appearing in this volume except quoted passages from copyrighted sources is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) or the authors. Citation of the … Read more

When someone we love is affected by drug addiction and substance abuse, our entire world can seem to shift out of balance. We can become caught up in learning about treatment options in a desperate attempt to help our family member or friends stop harming themselves through the abuse of dangerous drugs. If we have … Read more

An estimated 34,000 Americans die each year due to suicide, making it the 11th leading cause of death in the US, according to Psychiatric Times. Some of the most prominent risk factors for suicide attempts and suicidal ideation are mental health problems – and bipolar disorder and drug and alcohol use disorders are the most commonly diagnosed … Read more

In the early part of the 20th century, modern-day illicit drugs were once used to treat a variety of mental illnesses and ailments. Famous writers, doctors and notable figures took drugs to supposedly heighten their understanding of the world and everything in it. Further research in the decades that followed showed that many of these … Read more

People with mental illnesses might abuse drugs or alcohol for reasons that would be familiar to people who don’t struggle with mental health. They might enjoy the sedation alcohol brings, for example, or they might feel as though a hit of cocaine is the only thing that can help them get through a busy day full … Read more

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, roughly 16.1 million adults in the US  experienced at least one major depressive episode in 2014. Depression is also the leading cause of disability in the US among people between the ages of 15 and 44.1 While we know  it can have many causes, there’s one … Read more

Delusional disorder, previously referred to as paranoid disorder, is a rare condition. Sufferers of delusional disorder experience delusions, but they do not hallucinate nor do they experience thought or mood disorders or other key symptoms of psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia. These delusions are a form of psychosis, and they typically involve a conviction that something … Read more

The modern world is loaded with stressful situations, high conflict issues, and ongoing demands. For most, the occasional bad day or bad temper is expected and normal, but for others, the littlest thing sets off an angry explosion that can leave a ton of negative consequences in its stead. Things like being stressed out at … Read more

Depression is a complex disorder – one characterized by a spectrum of symptoms. The existence – or absence – of a specific defining symptom can completely alter the diagnosis. In the case of psychotic depression, also known as delusional depression, Medline Plus reports that the condition is much like major depression in terms of how it … Read more

Schizophreniform disorder is very close in nature to schizophrenia. In fact, it is only diagnosed when the signs of schizophrenia have not been in evidence long enough to warrant a diagnosis for that disorder. When signs of schizophrenia are an issue for six months or less, the diagnosis is schizophreniform disorder. When those symptoms persist, the diagnosis … Read more

Though everyone experiences depression from time to time, the experience of moderate to severe depression and the serious contemplation of suicide are serious mental health issues that require immediate intervention and treatment. If you believe that your loved one is at risk of taking his or her own life, don’t wait to intervene. Emergency medical … Read more

(SAD) is most often an issue suffered by small children. It’s a normal stage of development characterized by symptoms of anxiety and upset when physically separated from a primary caregiver. They may: Be frightened by the idea of meeting new people Be unhappy about being in unfamiliar situations with new people Feel threatened when left … Read more

Our brains manage a wide range of emotional and psychological functions. They use a sensitive and intricate system of chemical signals and responses sent via the central nervous system. A number of environmental and congenital factors can affect this system. Changes in brain chemistry can cause significant changes in a person’s mood. The Environment’s Impact … Read more

On a regular morning, an average person might leave home, buy a frothy beverage at a coffee shop, pop into a crowded subway and then stroll into the office. These little steps might involve interactions with dozens of strangers, and the thought of working with those people might make anyone uncomfortable. In fact, an article … Read more

The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a tool used by medical professionals to identify the signs of depression in older and medically ill patients. A report published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry said that the Geriatric Depression Scale: Is comprised of “yes” or “no” questions Can be taken by the patient or administered by the medical professional … Read more

“The hangovers became worse … My family was starting to recognize that I had a severe drinking problem … I didn’t care because I was so numbed by alcohol …The hidden bottles, slurred speech, sleeping all day (passed out) and isolation was a common occurrence, and I was only 22-23 years old,” recalls Shawn A. in … Read more

Mental health disorders and the symptoms associated with them make up a subject of intensive study and ongoing debate within the medical and psychiatric communities. An accurate diagnosis can mean the difference between effective mental health treatment and treatment that does little to aid in improving the patient’s quality of life and the patient’s ability to … Read more

In 1985, an Illinois man heard a rumor that his wife was staying out late. He became convinced that his wife was having an affair, so he confronted her and stabbed her 23 times. She didn’t survive the attack, per an account in the Chicago Tribune. In a similar case, a young New York man admitted … Read more

The realm of psychological testing is broad and complicated. The range of emotions and behaviors humans experience is just as vast and complicated, so it’s only fitting that the field of psychological testing mirrors that. You may have taken some kind of psychological testing without even realizing it. The quizzes found in newsstand magazines are … Read more

Mental illness isn’t a uniquely modern phenomenon. The genetic influences that stand behind some types of mental illnesses, along with the physical and chemical assaults that can spark illnesses in some people, have always been part of human life. But the ways in which impacted people are treated by their peers, as well as the … Read more

Relapse is, sadly, part of the healing process for many people who have addictions. At one moment, they make a commitment to leading a life that’s free of any kind of intoxicating substance at all. But in the next moment, they seem overwhelmed by the urge to use, and they comply with that urge by … Read more

Bipolar I disorder, also known as bipolar disorder and formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health disorder that creates a number of noticeable issues in the person’s day-to-day experience of life and ability to handle different issues. Many patients struggle with: Mood swings Fluctuations in energy Fluctuations in activity level Inability to manage … Read more

What makes a depression disorder atypical? When the patient experiences all the symptoms of a specific depression disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, dysthymia, major depression, etc.) but also exhibits one symptom or multiple symptoms that are not typical of that disorder. For example, according to a study published in the journal Psychiatry, the following are signs of atypical … Read more

Share (SAD) is a form of depression that strikes patients during specific seasons – usually winter when temperatures are cold, the sun is shining less often, and patients are often confined to the indoors. Though depressive symptoms associated with SAD may lift as the days lengthen, very often they can worsen and become debilitating without … Read more

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, is an anxiety disorder in which an individual experiences recurring thoughts that cause irrational fears and anxiety. Individuals with OCD engage in repeated, compulsive rituals, such as counting items, hand washing and organizing. Executing these rituals provides temporary relief while they are being performed, but the anxiety returns soon after they stop. OCD … Read more

When a patient presents with symptoms of both a substance abuse disorder and a mental health disorder, they are living with a Dual Diagnosis. The pair of issues can be comprised of any combination (e.g., alcoholism and depression, painkiller dependence and anxiety disorder, marijuana addiction and bipolar disorder, etc.) and in most cases, the symptoms and … Read more

Bipolar disorder, once commonly known as manic depression, is a serious mental disorder that is characterized by sudden and intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels. Like substance abuse, bipolar disorder poses a risk to the individual’s physical and emotional well-being. Those afflicted with bipolar disorder have a higher rate of relationship problems, economic … Read more

Also known as idiopathic hypersomnia, primary hypersomnia disorder is defined by hypoarousal, or a state of being less awake and alert and experiencing lesser cognitive and motor function as well as emotional capacity. In simpler terms, those who are living with primary hypersomnia disorder are often very sleepy and experience longer episodes of non-REM (rapid eye … Read more

Methadone is a controversial drug that is primarily used to help addicts recover from an addiction. The controversy is easy to see: many argue that a user is simply trading one substance for another, which can lead to another addiction. While some have used the drug to successfully defeat their problems, there are others that … Read more