-
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a condition marked by a pattern of extreme attention-seeking behaviors, oftentimes sexual or seductive in nature. Despite its recognition by several authoritative psychological bodies, such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization, HPD remains a controversial diagnosis. Symptoms There is no official diagnostic test for the presence of HPD, but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders offers the following criteria for determining whether or not a patient is suffering from the condition: A desire...
-
Psychological disorders are often a source of discomfort because of the general lack of understanding about the nature of such conditions. While there are many different types of psychological conditions, psychotic disorders (those involving a break between reality and the affected individual’s perception) are probably some of the least understood. Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia both fall under the category of psychotic disorders, and although they share a lot of similarities, they are most certainly not the same thing. Here is a look at what these these...
-
Although no psychological disorder is necessarily easy to comprehend, some are more difficult to diagnose and comprehend than others. Schizoaffective disorder is a psychological disorder composed of features of both a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia) and a mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder). Here are a few terms to help you understand schizoaffective disorder. Psychotic Disorder: There are several different types of psychotic disorders, but schizophrenia is the underlying psychosis in schizoaffective disorder. Psychotic disorders are those that result in a sort of break in the...
-
Schizoaffective disorder is considered a psychotic disorder, although the characteristic presence of a mood disorder must also be evident. Perhaps because of its tendency to be a controversial subject amongst psychological professionals, schizoaffective disorder is often misdiagnosed. Additionally, it isn’t a well understood issue for the general public either. Here is a look at the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder. Psychotic Symptoms Simply put, schizoaffective disorder is schizophrenia combined with major depression or bipolar disorder. And these conditions aren’t simple matters, either. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, characterized...
-
Mass psychogenic illness is a condition that is usually induced by stress, fear, or emotional distress. It can be caused by reports of things such as exposure to chemicals, toxins, or viruses, and the symptoms that result are so real that it’s hard to believe they don’t have a biological source. Mass psychogenic illness spreads primarily because of humans’ unconscious, involuntary social mimicry of one another’s behavior. When looking at specific cases of mass psychogenic illness, you might think that they are so absurd they...
-
Depression can come in many different shapes and forms. Not only is depression more common in women, but the pattern of symptoms and causes are also unique from depression in men. Different reproductive hormones play a role in why depression expresses itself differently, but there are also social pressures women face that are unique as well. Symptoms of Depression in Women Although many of the signs and symptoms of depression are the same for men and women, there are some distinct differences. For example, women...
-
Depression is a serious illness. Though there is no definitive cure, it is treatable. There are depression treatments that are commonly used and some that are experimental. Older depression treatment options were useful, but often had serious side effects. New types of depression treatments are available that help patients maintain a normal routine. Most of these treatments increase serotonin levels which help increase pleasurable moods. A common depression treatment is psychological therapy. Counseling or talk therapy can help one improve sleeping, eating, and personal concerns...
-
Depression is becoming a major health problem along with many other disorders that come along with being depressed, such as bipolar disorder. Most patients do not know they are suffering with depression symptoms until they are diagnosed, although they face it on a daily basis. It is usually said that around two out of nine people will face a depression problem at some point in their lives. The causes of depression are an enormous concern to physicians or doctors, as they can be such...
-
Major depression is a serious and persistent condition that leaves a person with unshakeable feelings of sadness or hopelessness and permeates many different aspects of his or her life. While each patient’s condition is unique, some of the more common symptoms of major depression include a lack of interest in once-enjoyable activities, unexplained fatigue, increased irritability, feelings of worthlessness, changes in appetite, sleeping difficulties, and thoughts of suicide. While major depression has been extensively studied, researchers are still unable to pinpoint a specific cause for its...
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a condition marked by a pattern of extreme attention-seeking behaviors, oftentimes sexual or seductive in nature. Despite its recognition by several authoritative psychological bodies, such as the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organization, HPD remains a controversial diagnosis. Symptoms There is no official diagnostic test for the presence of HPD, but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders offers the following criteria for determining whether or not a patient is suffering from the condition: A desire...
Psychological disorders are often a source of discomfort because of the general lack of understanding about the nature of such conditions. While there are many different types of psychological conditions, psychotic disorders (those involving a break between reality and the affected individual’s perception) are probably some of the least understood. Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia both fall under the category of psychotic disorders, and although they share a lot of similarities, they are most certainly not the same thing. Here is a look at what these these...
Although no psychological disorder is necessarily easy to comprehend, some are more difficult to diagnose and comprehend than others. Schizoaffective disorder is a psychological disorder composed of features of both a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia) and a mood disorder (depression or bipolar disorder). Here are a few terms to help you understand schizoaffective disorder. Psychotic Disorder: There are several different types of psychotic disorders, but schizophrenia is the underlying psychosis in schizoaffective disorder. Psychotic disorders are those that result in a sort of break in the...
Schizoaffective disorder is considered a psychotic disorder, although the characteristic presence of a mood disorder must also be evident. Perhaps because of its tendency to be a controversial subject amongst psychological professionals, schizoaffective disorder is often misdiagnosed. Additionally, it isn’t a well understood issue for the general public either. Here is a look at the symptoms of schizoaffective disorder. Psychotic Symptoms Simply put, schizoaffective disorder is schizophrenia combined with major depression or bipolar disorder. And these conditions aren’t simple matters, either. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, characterized...
Mass psychogenic illness is a condition that is usually induced by stress, fear, or emotional distress. It can be caused by reports of things such as exposure to chemicals, toxins, or viruses, and the symptoms that result are so real that it’s hard to believe they don’t have a biological source. Mass psychogenic illness spreads primarily because of humans’ unconscious, involuntary social mimicry of one another’s behavior. When looking at specific cases of mass psychogenic illness, you might think that they are so absurd they...
Depression can come in many different shapes and forms. Not only is depression more common in women, but the pattern of symptoms and causes are also unique from depression in men. Different reproductive hormones play a role in why depression expresses itself differently, but there are also social pressures women face that are unique as well. Symptoms of Depression in Women Although many of the signs and symptoms of depression are the same for men and women, there are some distinct differences. For example, women...
Depression is a serious illness. Though there is no definitive cure, it is treatable. There are depression treatments that are commonly used and some that are experimental. Older depression treatment options were useful, but often had serious side effects. New types of depression treatments are available that help patients maintain a normal routine. Most of these treatments increase serotonin levels which help increase pleasurable moods. A common depression treatment is psychological therapy. Counseling or talk therapy can help one improve sleeping, eating, and personal concerns...
Depression is becoming a major health problem along with many other disorders that come along with being depressed, such as bipolar disorder. Most patients do not know they are suffering with depression symptoms until they are diagnosed, although they face it on a daily basis. It is usually said that around two out of nine people will face a depression problem at some point in their lives. The causes of depression are an enormous concern to physicians or doctors, as they can be such...
Major depression is a serious and persistent condition that leaves a person with unshakeable feelings of sadness or hopelessness and permeates many different aspects of his or her life. While each patient’s condition is unique, some of the more common symptoms of major depression include a lack of interest in once-enjoyable activities, unexplained fatigue, increased irritability, feelings of worthlessness, changes in appetite, sleeping difficulties, and thoughts of suicide. While major depression has been extensively studied, researchers are still unable to pinpoint a specific cause for its...