A psychological illness can affect all areas of life, disrupting your ability to think, feel and relate. Every individual experiences a psychological illness in their own way. There is no one cure for mental illness, but a variety of therapies and medicines can be used to treat the symptoms. Some people may require a psychiatric hospital.
Psychological illnesses include a variety of mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, major depression and anxiety. Some disorders are long-lasting, while others only last a short time. If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health issues, you can find support by calling your local mental health clinic or by contacting your healthcare provider.
Mental illness is usually treated with a combination of medical treatments and psychotherapy. These treatments may involve medications, supervised activities in a psychiatric hospital or group therapy with other patients. It is important to understand that while some mental illnesses are treatable, others can be very difficult to treat. In addition, there is no cure for depression. However, recent advancements in neuroscience and genetics have given rise to new research agendas.
Psychological illnesses can affect people of all ages, races, and social statuses. Women are more likely than men to experience psychological illnesses. Those with mental illness can benefit from the support of family and friends, as well as professional help.
Mental illness has a number of different causes. Somatogenic etiology is one such cause, which is based on the physiological nature of the disorder. Several somatogenic theories have been proposed, ranging from humorism to anterograde amnesia. Anterograde amnesia is the inability to remember events that have occurred in the past and have a clear memory of the event.
Another etiological theory is psychogenic. This is the view that mental illness is the result of abnormal brain function. Psychiatric disorders are classified according to a criteria-based system. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is one of the most comprehensive and widely used classification schemes.
Cognitive disorders are the result of dysfunctions in cognitive functions. These include major neurocognitive disorders and mild neurocognitive disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a popular method of treating these disorders. Other psychotherapies are based on humanistic and dialectic approaches.
Sexual disorders are a group of disorders involving impulse control and sexual behavior. Impulse control disorder can lead to fire-setting, stealing and other dangerous actions. Others include gambling addiction and paraphilia.
Relational disorders can refer to various types of disorders between couples or children. They also include disorders between parents and their children. Such disorders can be triggered by trauma or abuse, neglect or lack of social cohesion.
The earliest methods of diagnosis in psychiatry were based on clinical judgment, which led to different practices. Some practitioners drew their conclusions from speculative theories about the etiology of the illness. By the 19th century, some clinical syndromes were known but few had clear descriptions.
The introduction of operational diagnostics in the 1930s demystified some of the practices. The International Classification of Diseases adopted criteria-based classifications for mental disorders.