What is Your Mental Health Professional Says?

Mental disorders (or mental diseases) are conditions which affect your thought, feelings, behavior and mood. They can be short-lived or chronic (chronic). They often affect you ability to function every day and relate well with others. They can prevent you from leading a normal life and limiting your enjoyment of life. This condition affects a person of any age, race, gender and class. There are many types of mental disease.

There are two categories of mental disorders: the mental disorders that are the result of biological causes such as genetics, neurological problems and brain injuries; and the mental disorders that are the result of behaviors and personality characteristics that can be learned, developed, altered or are caused by a traumatic experience such as abuse, violence or other events. The most common type of mental disorder is depression. Other symptoms of depression include anxiety, stress, anger, guilt, worthlessness and irritability. Other symptoms of anxiety include panic attacks, unrealistic concerns about money, health, weight, relationships and social issues, perfectionism, self-injury, restlessness and sleep disturbances.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an intense emotional reaction to frightening events such as accidents, natural disasters, or war. Anxiety and panic are common symptoms of PTSD. Depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, muscle tension, nightmares, blushing, poor concentration, memory loss and insomnia are other physical health concerns associated with PTSD.

Personality disorders are based on distorted perceptions of reality. Most personality disorders are not serious. However, they can lead to significant disruptions in the lives of many people. In addition to the symptoms listed above, people who have Personality Disorders experience significant impairment in their functioning ability and their enjoyment of life. People with Personality Disorders are also at risk for greater health risks due to the impulsivity, unstable moods, difficulty concentrating, over self-dramatic behavior and unstable relationships that often accompany Personality Disorders. In addition to mental disorder and substance abuse, many people with Personality Disorders also have substance abuse and dependence problems.

There are many national comorbidity surveys that shed some light on the prevalence of mental disorder and the associated difficulties for those who suffer from it. A national comorbidity survey is a study that examines the relationship between different kinds of mental disorders. A variety of questions are asked in the course of a standard mental disorder interview. The questions focus on factors such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational level, living environment, marital status and level of alcohol or drug use. Respondents are asked if they have had any thoughts or fears about something in the past year. Respondents are then classified into groups to receive diagnoses of various mental disorders and asked to indicate their levels of severity.

An example of a standard mental disorders interview question is “On a daily basis, how do you feel? Describe your feelings.” However, there are many other possible symptom questions that might be asked, such as “Do you ever feel sad, angry, depressed, or empty? Describe the symptoms of each emotion.”

As mental disorders vary, individuals with some mental disorders may need to meet with a psychiatrist to determine the cause of symptoms before receiving treatment. Common types of mental disorders include anxiety, bipolar disorder, major depression, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychosis and intermittent explosive disorder (IED). Because the answer to “what is your mental illness?” can vary among people and can even change with time, some sufferers will repeatedly go to their doctor for a diagnosis. If someone suffers from more than one type of mental illness, then the doctor will ask them to fill out a form for each disorder that they have. The forms are then returned to the psychologist, and a diagnosis is given based on the answers.

It is vital that you as a loved one to be open and honest with your loved one when seeking a mental health professional’s advice. The more you can learn about the mental illness, the better able you will be to spot any behaviors that may point to the presence of a mental illness. You will want to be sure to take the time to learn all about mental disorders, the symptoms, and the treatments available. You will want to get as educated as possible on the condition so you can be prepared when your loved one’s life is affected by it. Remember, being able to spot a mental illness early will be key to the success of treating it and living with it.

Ann Miller

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