Mental Illness Types, Risk Factors, and Treatment

1. MIND VER MATTER: THE ANATOMY OF MENTAL ILLNESSES Mental health is important at all stages in life. It affects how we act, think, and feel and is comprised of psychological, social, and emotional well-being. In this infographic, we perform a post-mortem on mental illnesses, the common types, the diagnosis, treatment, and more. MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS: NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS Abnormal brain development or damage Examples: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Autism spectrum disorder, and learning disorders. Paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations Example: Schizophrenia BIPOLAR AND RELATED DISORDERS DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS ELIMINATION DISORDERS SLEEP-WAKE DISORDERS Excessive excitement and depression. Alternating periods of mania. Example: Mania and hypomania Sleep disorders that require clinical attention Examples: Insomnia, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea Emotional feelings of sadness and happiness Examples: Depressive and premenstrual dysphoric disorders Inappropriate elimination of stool and urine — accidental or on purpose Example: Bedwetting (enuresis) DISRUPTIVE, IMPULSE-CONTROL AND CONDUCT DISORDERS GENDER DYSPHORIA ANXIETY DISORDERS OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE AND RELATED DISORDERS Behavioural self-control and emotional problems Examples: Intermittent explosive disorder or Kleptomania Repetitive thoughts and actions, preoccupations, obsessions Examples: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trichotillomania Distress attached to a person's desire to be another gender Example: Preference to dress, develop mannerisms, grow, and live as the opposite gender It’s an umbrella term for different types of conditions Examples: Anxiety disorder, phobias, and panic disorder SUBSTANCE-RELATED AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS NEUROCOGNITIVE DISORDERS TRAUMA AND STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDERS DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS Inability to think and reason. Examples: Delirium, and disorders caused by or Alzheimer's disease or traumatic brain injury. Adjustment disorders, trouble coping after or during a stressful life event Examples: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder Risk of psychological and physiological harm due to misuse of drugs and alcohol Example: Alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and drug abuse. Also includes gambling disorder Escape from reality and detachment from memory, thoughts, consciousness, and identity. Examples: Disrup PARAPHILIC DISORDERS PERSONALITY DISORDERS SOMATIC SYMPTOM AND RELATED DISORDERS FEEDING AND EATING DISORDERS Sexual interest -> causes distress -> leads to actual or potential harm to another person. Examples: Sexual sadism, pedophilic disorder, and voyeuristic disorder. Unhealthy behaviour, emotional instability —> Hamper life and relationships. Examples: Borderline personality and antisocial personality disorders. Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause, associated with significant impairment and distress Examples: Somatic Symptom Disorder ( hypochondriasis) and factitious disorder Disturbances associated with eating Examples: Binge-eating disorder and Anorexia nervosa INHERITED TRAITS ADDITIONAL COMPLICATIONS Heritable mental illnesses Risk factor: Genes RISK DEVELOPMENTAL Exposure to toxins at a developmental stage. Risk factor: Exposure to alcohol, drugs, viruses, toxins, while in the womb FACTORS: In general, mental illnesses understood to be caused by: Developmental & Genetic factors. Untreated mental illness causes disability, severe emotional, physical, behavioural and health problems. Also causes legal and financial problems. BRAIN CHEMISTRY Chemical changes in the brain. Risk factor: Biochemical changes in the brain, brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), and hormonal imbalances Weakened immunity Unhappiness, relationship difficulties, family conflicts, poverty and homelessness Social isolation problems Alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse SYMPTOMS Problems related to work or school Feeling down or sad Reduced ability to concentrate or confused thinking Extreme feeling of guilt, excessive worries or fears Extreme high and low mood swings Withdrawal from activities and friends Low energy, problems sleeping, significant tiredness Delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia Inability to cope with stress or daily problems Trouble relating to/understanding situations/people Alcohol or drug abuse Significant changes in eating habits and sex drive Excessive hostility, violence, anger Suicidal thoughts Physical problems: headache, stomach pain, back pain Suicidal/Homicidal thoughts Other medical conditions including heart disease TREATMENT MEDICATIONS PSYCHOTHERAPY Recommended when: Condition, feelings, moods, behaviour and thoughts Antidepressants are to assessed. For anxiety, and depression Recommended when: Patient exhibits anxiety, depression, sadness, Comprised of: Stress management skills, talk therapy with a mental health provider. hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, lack of energy, disinterest in activities. Anti-anxiety medications BRAIN-STIMULATION TREATMENTS For panics and generalized anxiety disorder. Recommended when: Patient exhibits panics and generalized anxiety disorder. Mood-stabilizing medications Recommended when: medications and psychotherapy fail. For bipolar disorder with alternating episodes of mania and depression. Comprised of: transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, Recommended when: Patient exhibits bipolar disorder with alternating episodes vagus nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation. of mania and depression. Make sure you understand all the risks and benefits of any recommended treatment. Antipsychotic medications For schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and depression. Recommended when: Patient exhibits psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and depression. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT RESIDENTIAL AND HOSPITAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS Recommended when: Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco interferes with treatment and worsens mental illness. Comprised of: Recommended when: mental illness severe (can’t care for yourself, danger Medications (for withdrawal/stem cravings) of harming oneself/someone) Inpatient treatment (withdrawal/detox programme) Outpatient treatment programs Comprised of: Partial or day hospitalization, residential treatment, Support groups (eg., Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)) 24-hour inpatient care, intensive outpatient treatment. STAY ACTIVE-EXERCISE REGULARLY AVOID ALCOHOL/ DRUG/TOBACCO DETERMINE PRIORITIES/GOALS STICK TO TREATMENT PLAN STAY POSITIVE, ACCEPT CHANGES SELF-CARE Self-treatment: doesn’t work in most cases. Requires professional help. TAKE BIG DECISIONS WHEN SYMPTOMS SEVERE SKIP MEDICATION SKIP THERAPY SESSIONS IGNORE YOUR TREATING DOCTOR www.medibuddy.in