Mental Illness In Adults
Depression
Most people feel great sadness at some time in their lives, but
if sadness or a depressed mood continues for a long time, it may be
a sign of clinical depression. Clinical depression is more than
feeling sad or "blue." It can make people feel worthless, hopeless
or even like giving up.
The good news is that depression is an illness that can
be treated. You don't have to live your life feeling
anxious, sad or irritable. With help, the dark cloud of depression
can lift- there is hope!
There are three main types of depression. They
are:
- Clinical or Major Depression - a common, but severe type of
depression
- Dysthymia - a milder form of depression that is long
lasting
- Bipolar Disorder - a disorder that includes periods of
depression and periods of excessively "high" feelings
Who gets Clinical Depression?
Each year, about one in ten people have bouts with major
depression. For some people, one single event, such as losing a job
or leaving a relationship can bring on the illness. For others, a
number of events may contribute to the cause. People can also
become depressed without warning.
Depression can happen to anyone at any
age.
Many factors may contribute to clinical depression,
including:
- Sex - Women get
depression twice as often as men
- Family history - When
other people in your family have major depression, you have a
higher chance of also getting depression
- Certain medications -
Some prescriptions or over the counter mediations can make you
depressed
- Difficult life events
- such as divorce, retirement or the death of a loved one
- Presence of other
illnesses - such as Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes, heart
disease, hormone disorder, Parkinson's or a stroke. Also, other
mental disorders such as an eating disorder or anxiety
disorder
- Abuse of alcohol and
drugs - People who have a drug or alcohol problem are more
likely to develop major depression
What are the Signs of Clinical
Depression?
No one becomes depressed in the same way. Some people have only
a few symptoms. Other people have many.
Symptoms of Depression
- Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early
morning waking
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and
weight gain
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
- Irritability or restlessness
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating, remembering or making
decisions
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment
(such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)
- Thoughts of death or suicide, including suicide attempts
- Feeling inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, or
worthlessness
Call 1-800-LIFENET
(1-800-543-3638) right away if:
- You have had 5 or more of these symptoms for two weeks or
longer
- The symptoms are getting in the way of your daily
activities
- You are thinking about suicide
How is Depression Treated?
The most common ways to treat clinical depression are mediation,
psychotherapy, or both.
The choice of treatment may depend on:
- How severe the symptoms are
- The history of the illness
- What the person prefers
Some people are afraid to get help for depression. They may
worry that people will see their illness as a sign of weakness.
Others believe depression will go away by itself. Such ideas are
simple not true.
As with any other serious illness, only a professional can treat
clinical depression. And the earlier treatment begins, the faster a
person begins to feel better.
Depression is one of the most treatable medical illnesses. More
than 8 out of 10 people with depression can be helped.
Medication
The most commonly used medications for depression are called
antidepressants. They act on pathways in the brain that are related
to your mood. They are not habit-forming.
Medication Tips
- Some people may feel side effects from the medicine. Be sure to
tell you doctor how you are feeling
- Give the medicine time to work. Some people find it takes 3 to
4 weeks before they start to feel better. It can take as long as 6
to 8 weeks for others
- Your doctor may suggest that you take more or less medicine in
the beginning until you find the amount that works for you
- Most people with clinical depression find they need to take
antidepressants for at least 4 to 9 months after the symptoms have
improved
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy or "talk" therapy, behavioral therapy and
interpersonal therapy are three types of therapy that may benefit
someone who has clinical depression. People who have mild
depression often find it helpful to talk to a mental health
professional to learn ways to handle problems.
With severe depression, people tend to do better when they go to
therapy and take antidepressants.
A Note for Family and Friends:
Sometimes people with depression don't have the will and energy to
get treatment. Or they may have trouble seeing their own symptoms
clearly. If you think a loved one could have clinical depression,
tell him or her about your concerns. Offer to call a mental health
professional for an appointment, and offer to go to the appointment
with them. You can find help 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-LIFENET.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental
illness involving one or more episodes of serious mania and
depression. The illness causes a person's mood to swing from
excessively "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, with
periods of normal mood in between.
Bipolar disorder can be extremely distressing and disruptive for
those who have this disease, their spouses, family members, friends
and employers. Without effective treatment, the illness is
associated with an increased risk of suicide.
How common is Bipolar
Disorder?
More than 2 million American have bipolar disorder.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Although a specific genetic link to bipolar disorder has not
been found, studies show that 80% to 90% of those who suffer from
bipolar disorder have relatives with some form of depression. It is
possible that people may inherit a tendency to develop the illness,
which can then be triggered by environmental factors such as
distressing life events.
The presence of bipolar disorder indicates a biochemical
imbalance, which alters a person's mood. This imbalance is thought
to be caused by irregular hormone production or to be a problem
with certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters,
which act as messengers to our nerve cells.
What are the symptoms of bipolar
disorder?
Bipolar disorder is often difficult to recognize and diagnose.
It cases a person to have a high level of energy, unrealistically
expansive thoughts or ideas, and impulsive or reckless behavior.
These symptoms may feel good to the person, which may lead to
denial that there is a problem.
Symptoms of Mania
The symptoms of mania, which last up to 3 months if
untreated, include:
- Excessive energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and
rapid talking
- Denial that anything is wrong
- Extreme "high" or euphoric feelings - a person may feel "on top
of the world" and nothing, including bad news or tragic events, can
change this "happiness"
- Easily irritable or distracted
- Decreased need for sleep- an individual may last for days with
little or no sleep without feeling tired
- Unrealistic beliefs in one's ability and powers - a person may
experience feelings of exaggerated confidence or unwarranted
optimism. This can lead to over-ambitious work plans and the belief
that nothing can stop him or her from accomplishing any task
- Uncharacteristically poor judgment - a person may make poor
decisions which may lead to unrealistic involvement in activities,
meetings, and deadlines, reckless driving, impulsive behavior,
spending sprees and unsound business ventures
- Sustained period of behavior that is different from usual - a
person may dress and/or act differently than he or she usually
does, become a collector of various items, become indifferent to
personal grooming, become obsessed with writing, or experience
delusions
- Increased sex drive
- Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol or sleep
medications
- Provocative, intrusive or aggressive behavior- a person may
become enrages or paranoid if his or her grand ideas are stopped or
excessive social plans are refused.
Symptoms of Depression
Some people experience period of normal mood and behavior
following a manic phase; however, the depressive phase will
eventually appear.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Sleeping too much or too little, middle of the night or early
morning waking
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased appetite and
weight gain
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex
- Irritability or restlessness
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating, remembering or making
decisions
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Persistent physical symptoms that don't respond to treatment
(such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)
- Thoughts of death or suicide, including suicide attempts
- Feeling inappropriate guilt, hopelessness, or
worthlessness
Treatment
Treatment is critical for recovery. A combination of medication,
professional help and support for family, friends and peers help
individual with bipolar disorder stabilize their emotions and
behaviors. Most people with bipolar disorder can be treated with
medication. There are many medications that effectively treat
Bipolar Disorder. The right medication or combination of
medications is different for each individual. It is not advisable
to stop taking medications or change doses without advice of a
doctor.
Mental health professionals can also provide guidance, education
and support to help deal with relationships, maintain a healthy
self-image and ensure compliance with treatment. Support and
self-help groups are also invaluable resources for learning coping
skills, feelings acceptance and avoiding social isolation. Friends
and families should join a support group to better understand the
illness. Getting support and information can help family and
friends continue to offer encouragement and support to their loved
ones.
Schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a devastating illness now known to be a
disorder of the brain. Schizophrenia affects an estimated 1.3% of
American adults between the ages of 18 and 54 in any given year.
Most people with schizophrenia suffer chronically or episodically
throughout their lives. People with schizophrenia are often
stigmatized because of a lack of public understanding about the
disease.
What are the symptoms of
schizophrenia?
The first signs of schizophrenia, which typically emerge in
young people in their teens and early 20's, are confusing and often
shocking to family and friends.
Symptoms include:
- Distorted perceptions of reality, including hallucinations and
delusions
- Disordered thinking
- Blunted emotional expression
- Unusual behavior or speech
- Social withdrawal
These symptoms seriously impair an individual's ability to
function in everyday life.
While suicide is a serious and common danger in people who have
schizophrenia, most with the illness are not violent toward others.
Most typically, they are withdrawn and prefer to be left alone. As
in people who do not have mental illness, substance abuse
significantly raises the risk of violence in people with
schizophrenia. In addition, people suffering from paranoid
symptoms, which can become worse if medication is stopped, may also
be at higher risk for violent behavior.
What causes schizophrenia?
Many years of family, twin, and adoptions studies indicate that
vulnerability to schizophrenia is inherited. But Environmental
influences, perhaps occurring during fetal development, also play a
role.
What treatments are available for schizophrenia?
A number of new, effective medications for schizophrenia with
fewer side effects than older medications have been introduced in
the past decade. The newer drugs - known as atypical antipsychotics
- are very effective in the treatment of psychosis, including
hallucinations and delusions, and may also be helpful for treating
reduced motivation or blunted emotional expression.
About one in five people with schizophrenia recover completely,
and many more have been helped by the new medications and other
treatments. Learning new coping skills and receiving social support
are important. Over time, many people learn successful ways of
managing even severe symptoms.
Because of the nature of the disorder, some people with
schizophrenia may deny that they need medications and may either
refuse to take them or stop taking them because of undesired side
effects. Remembering to take medications may be difficult because
of the disorganized thinking characteristic of people with
schizophrenia. Working closely with a psychiatrist to monitor
medications in vital.
Panic Disorder
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by
unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear accompanied by
physical symptoms that may include chest pain, heart palpitations,
and shortness of breath, dizziness or abdominal distress. These
sensations often mimic symptoms of a heart attack or other
life-threatening medical conditions. As a result panic disorder is
frequently not diagnosed until extensive and costly medical
procedures fail to provide relief.
How common is panic disorder?
An estimated 1.6% of American adults ages 18-54 suffer from
panic disorder in a given year.
What are the symptoms of panic
disorder?
Many people with panic disorder develop intense anxiety between
episodes. It is not unusual for a person with panic disorder to
develop phobias about places or situations where panic attacks have
occurred. As the frequency of panic attacks increases, the person
begins to avoid situations where they fear another attack may occur
or where help would not be readily available. This avoidance may
eventually develop into agoraphobia, an inability to go beyond know
and safe surroundings because of intense fear and anxiety.
What are the causes?
Panic disorder typically strikes in young adulthood. Roughly
half of all people who have panic disorder develop the condition
before age 24. Women are twice as likely as men to develop panic
disorder. Heredity, other biological factors, stressful life events
and thinking in a way that exaggerates relatively normal bodily
reactions are all believed to play a role in the onset of panic
disorder.
What treatments are available?
The treatments for panic disorder include: medications,
cognitive-behavioral therapy, or the combination of the two. The
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are now the first
line of medication treatment for panic disorder.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can enable a person to view panic
attacks differently and reduce anxiety. Appropriate treatment can
reduce or prevent panic attacks in 70 to 90% of people with panic
disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is obsessive-compulsive
disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in
which people suffer intensely from recurrent, unwanted thoughts
(obsessions) or rituals (compulsions) that they feel they cannot
control.
What are the symptoms?
Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking or cleaning are
often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or
making them go away. Performing these rituals only provides
temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases
anxiety. Eventually, if untreated, these obsessions and rituals can
take over a person's life.
What are the causes of
obsessive-compulsive disorder?
OCD typically begins during adolescence or early childhood. It
is often a chronic, relapsing illness afflicting an estimated 2.4%
of American adults. Men and women are equally likely to develop
OCD. There is growing evidence that OCD represents abnormal brain
functioning. OCD is not caused by family problems or attitudes
learned in childhood.
What are the treatments?
Treatments for OCD, which combine medications and behavioral
therapy, are often effective. If one drug does not work well
another should be tried. A type of behavioral therapy known as
"exposure and response prevention" is frequently used under the
guidance of a skilled therapist. This approach deliberately exposes
the person to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts. The person
is then is taught techniques to avoid performing the compulsive
rituals.
Post-traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is post-traumatic stress
disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder,
which can be an extremely debilitating condition. It can occur
after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave
physical harm occurred or was threatened. About 3.6 percent of
American adults suffer from PTSD in a given year.
What are the symptoms?
Many people with PTSD repeatedly re-experience the ordeal in the
form of flashback episodes, memories, nightmares, or frightening
thoughts, especially when they are exposed to events or objects
reminiscent of the trauma. People with PTSD also experience
emotional numbness and sleep disturbances, feelings of guilt,
depression, anxiety, and irritability or outbursts of anger. Most
people with PTSD try to avoid any reminders or thoughts of the
ordeal.
What are the causes?
Traumatic events that trigger PTSD include: violent personal
assaults such as rape or mugging, or natural or human caused
disasters, accidents, or military combat. People who witness
traumatic events, and families of victims can also develop
PTSD.
What are the treatments?
Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of
cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and exposure therapy,
in which the patient repeatedly relives the frightening experience
under controlled conditions to help them work through the trauma.
Medication can also help ease associated symptoms of depression and
anxiety and help promote sleep. Lastly, some studies show that
debriefing people very soon after a catastrophic event may reduce
some of the symptoms of PTSD.