In order for a person to continue his life properly, he must be healthy both physically and mentally. Illnesses related to mental health are called mental illnesses. Psychological disorders occur as changes in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. They are in the group of mental diseases related to the brain.
What are Psychological Diseases?
Psychological diseases are diseases that can be treated. Mental illnesses are popularly called mental illnesses. It affects people's work, school, family and social relationships. Mental health and illness are treated by psychiatrists and psychologists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can treat with medication. They are also called psychiatrists. Psychologists perform psychotherapy through speaking and listening. Psychological problems do not discriminate by age, gender or race. Every individual has a risk of psychological disorder in some part of his life due to compelling factors. Psychological problems come in many forms. Mild ones improve with simple measures, while serious ones may require hospitalization.
What are the Symptoms of Psychological Illnesses?
The main symptoms seen in psychological disorders are:
- Constantly sad
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Extreme fear, anxiety and guilt
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Fatigue, lack of energy and sleep problems
- Dreams, paranoia and hallucinations
- Inability to cope with daily problems and stress
- Difficulty relating to people
- Alcohol and drug addiction
- Eating disorders
- Extreme anger, hostility and violence
- Suicidal ideation
Depression
Depression can be defined as feeling low and sad in its mildest form. In its severe form, there is a tendency to suicide. Depression has become a very common disease in our age. Everyone can feel sad from time to time. However, if this situation continues for weeks and affects daily life, depression is mentioned. Depression is divided into classes among itself. Some of these are as follows:
- Seasonal affective disorder: Mood disorder that occurs in some seasons
- Dysthymia: Mild chronic depression lasting two years or more
- Prenatal depression: It occurs in pregnant women
- Postpartum depression: It is called postpartum depression
Anxiety Disorders
It is the person's constant feeling of fear, anxiety and restlessness. We all worry in our daily life. However, this feeling is very intense in those with anxiety disorders. Symptoms can cause problems in work, school performance, and interpersonal relationships. Anxiety disorder is classified among themselves:
- Generalized anxiety disorder: These people experience intense anxiety about work, family, money and health that they cannot prevent. This situation may have been going on for at least 6 months.
- Panic disorder or panic attack: These people experience sudden and intense fear even when there is no danger.
- Phobias: People with phobias have a very intense fear of things that pose little or no danger. Fear of dogs and spiders, fear of being in a crowded environment, fear of being in a closed environment and fear of flying are examples.
Panic Attack
A panic attack is a situation that occurs suddenly and leaves the person in distress and fear. Some of its symptoms are as follows:
- Chest pain and feeling of tightness in the chest
- Can't breathe and a feeling of suffocation
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Dizziness
- Fever, chills and chills
- Uncontrollable tremors and convulsions
- Fear of going crazy
- Fear of death
Bipolar Disorder
It is medically called manic depressive illness. This disease is a bipolar illness in which periods of mania (extremity) and depression (depression) follow each other. Except for periods of illness, individuals appear completely normal. The disease includes periods of exacerbation and remission. In the mania period, patients are extremely energetic. They talk and laugh a lot. They can spend a lot of money, take on big projects and drive fast. In the period of melancholy, i.e. depression, a They are extremely unhappy and sad. They close in. They can interfere with their personal care. They have too much anxiety. There may be thoughts of death and suicide. Events such as death, job loss, separation and birth can initiate the disease. Bipolar patients experience mania in the spring-summer period and melancholy in the autumn-winter period. It may not be possible to completely eliminate bipolar disorder. There are drugs such as lithium and valproate used in the treatment of the disease.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Most people may have obsessions that are easily coped with in daily life. If obsessions affect daily life negatively, obsessive compulsive disorder is mentioned. Obsession is the name given to obsessive thoughts and ideas. Compulsions are repetitive physical and mental acts. Obsessive people cannot stop the thoughts, ideas and impulses that enter their minds. This gives them a lot of trouble. In compulsion, there are actions aimed at eliminating the distress and discomfort caused by the obsession. Obsessive compulsive disorder can be seen even in children. It is most common in adolescents and those aged 20-25 years. Obsessions can be seen in the form of obsession with excessive cleanliness and symmetry, obsession with constantly controlling electric vehicles, fear of saying bad words, fear of harming others. Obsessive compulsive disorder is tried to be corrected with drug therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Mental trauma is a situation caused by unexpected and uncontrollable unusual events that leave a person extremely frightened, helpless and terrified. Wars, terrorist incidents, sudden death, earthquake, flood, fire, sexual assault, physical assault, domestic violence and childhood sexual abuse are examples of situations that cause mental trauma. Post-traumatic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are frequently observed. Common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can be listed as follows:
- Sleep problems
- Frequent nightmares
- Frequent visualization of trauma-related memories
- Fear that she will constantly experience the same event again
- Quick startle and fear
- Irritability
- Inability to plan for the future
- Intense in situations that remind of the event experience anxiety
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are classified into two groups as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa:
Anorexia Nervosa Person in Anorexia nervosa wants to have a lean body. Although the person is extremely thin, he always sees himself as fat in the mirror. That's why he doesn't want to eat. Over time, it loses its fat and muscle tissues, and the woman ceases to menstruate. Anorexia nervosa threatens one's health.
Bulimia NervosaThe person thinks of being weak. He eats excessively to reduce the effect of the food he eats and then vomits. These people may be overweight or normal weight. Eating disorders are common in women. It starts in adolescence. Nowadays, it is very accepted to have a slim body. This situation leads people to strict diets. Excessive obsessive body image leads to eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa can cause death. Patients with eating disorders often do not want to be treated. Collaboration between family and psychiatrist is very important. Medications and psychotherapy methods are used in the treatment. Dietitians, pediatricians and internists also have a role to play in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder is a neuropsychiatric disorder that starts from childhood and extends into adulthood. It is more common in childhood. Its incidence decreases in adulthood. It is more common in boys. Oppositional disorder, anxiety disorders, tic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder can often be seen with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Treatment is more comprehensive in adults than in childhood.
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