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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...
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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...
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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...
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Mental illness is something that has fascinated Americans for decades, which is why there have been so many Hollywood movies made that are centered on the subject. Even though movies portraying mental illness may do well in the box office, how true to life are they? From depression, to short-term memory loss, to autism, we’re taking a look at how some of these popular movies depict the truth of the patient experience. Still Alice: Alzheimer’s Disease This movie tells the story of an esteemed professor diagnosed with early-onset...
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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...
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There is a positive link between mental illness and substance abuse. Certain drugs can lead to an increased risk of developing a mental disorder, such as depression, paranoia, or delusions. Long-term use of drugs or alcohol can cause depression and anxiety that worsens over time. Although there is some suggestion that cannabis users may experience symptoms of psychosis, in the end it is more likely that mental illness causes drug abuse, rather than the other way around It is a known fact that people...
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Mental health is defined by your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing, and it affects the way that you think, feel, and act. The way we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices are all determined by the state of our mental health. The line between mental health and mental illness is sometimes hard to define, so it can be tough to know when you should be concerned about any problems you are having with your mental health. Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness If...
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Efforts are being made to better understand the complexity of mental health and how to effectively help those struggling. Chances are you or someone you know will experience a mental disorder at some point in life. Here is a look at three of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Anxiety Disorders Around 19 million Americans ages 18 to 54 struggle with an anxiety disorder. This category includes panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and many phobias. It is not uncommon...
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Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is a severe form of depression. This kind of depression is a psychological disorder that requires treatment from mental health professionals. Symptoms In order to be diagnosed with this condition, people must exhibit at least five of the recognized symptoms nearly every day. These signs and symptoms include: Either insomnia or excessive sleeping Significant weight loss that is not the result of a diet or sudden weight gain; abnormal decrease or increase in appetite General depressed mood, including...
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...
Mental illness is something that has fascinated Americans for decades, which is why there have been so many Hollywood movies made that are centered on the subject. Even though movies portraying mental illness may do well in the box office, how true to life are they? From depression, to short-term memory loss, to autism, we’re taking a look at how some of these popular movies depict the truth of the patient experience. Still Alice: Alzheimer’s Disease This movie tells the story of an esteemed professor diagnosed with early-onset...
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...
There is a positive link between mental illness and substance abuse. Certain drugs can lead to an increased risk of developing a mental disorder, such as depression, paranoia, or delusions. Long-term use of drugs or alcohol can cause depression and anxiety that worsens over time. Although there is some suggestion that cannabis users may experience symptoms of psychosis, in the end it is more likely that mental illness causes drug abuse, rather than the other way around It is a known fact that people...
Mental health is defined by your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing, and it affects the way that you think, feel, and act. The way we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices are all determined by the state of our mental health. The line between mental health and mental illness is sometimes hard to define, so it can be tough to know when you should be concerned about any problems you are having with your mental health. Early Warning Signs of Mental Illness If...
Efforts are being made to better understand the complexity of mental health and how to effectively help those struggling. Chances are you or someone you know will experience a mental disorder at some point in life. Here is a look at three of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. Anxiety Disorders Around 19 million Americans ages 18 to 54 struggle with an anxiety disorder. This category includes panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and many phobias. It is not uncommon...
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is a severe form of depression. This kind of depression is a psychological disorder that requires treatment from mental health professionals. Symptoms In order to be diagnosed with this condition, people must exhibit at least five of the recognized symptoms nearly every day. These signs and symptoms include: Either insomnia or excessive sleeping Significant weight loss that is not the result of a diet or sudden weight gain; abnormal decrease or increase in appetite General depressed mood, including...