People with psychoses are afflicted with distorted thinking, perception, emotion and behavior. This condition often begins during adolescence or early adulthood and is accompanied by a range of symptoms. Often, individuals with psychological illness experience discrimination and lack of access to proper health care, housing, and other resources. Despite the prevalence of this problem, there is still a great deal of stigma surrounding this condition, making it difficult to obtain treatment and support.
PTSD is a form of depression. It is marked by a sense that traumatic events are recurrent. These individuals may suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, or sensory impressions pertaining to the traumatic event. These memories trigger intense distress and interfere with daily functioning. Other core symptoms of PTSD include difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and exaggerated startle response. Those with PTSD are often unable to feel happy emotions, and experience months of depressive episodes. However, recovery is possible.
Though most parents believe that psychological illness is reserved for adults, many childhood and adolescent people can experience it. The vast majority of psychological illnesses are developmental in nature, starting early on in life. Some of these conditions can be life-changing, and many people show symptoms before they reach adulthood. Psychological illness affects every aspect of a person’s life and requires a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the most effective treatment. It may involve pharmaceutical intervention or psychotherapy with a licensed therapist.
Unlike psychological illnesses in women, the treatment of men has been dominated by a male-dominated group. A male-dominated medical model of mental illness has often been associated with strong, dominant providers, and most physicians were male. Despite this, many male patients have psychiatric disorders. Men have two-and-a-half times the risk of suicide compared to women, and about seventy percent of suicides involve men.
Despite a lack of definitive answers, researchers have uncovered a link between certain infections and mental illness. The Streptococcus bacteria is associated with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder. Brain injuries and defects may also play a role in the development of psychological illness. Furthermore, prenatal damage may be a contributing factor to the development of autism spectrum disorder. It’s not entirely clear why certain infections cause mental illnesses, but studies suggest they may influence how people think and behave.
While some studies suggest certain genes may increase a person’s risk of developing mental disorders, these studies are not conclusive. Some studies also suggest that the environmental exposures a person has before birth may lead to a higher risk of developing certain types of psychological disorders. Although there are some genetic and environmental factors, these are not conclusive, despite being important for mental health. It is important to note, however, that psychological illness has many causes, and therefore can be influenced by the circumstances of one’s life.
One study shows that 6.7 percent of adults will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. The prevalence of bipolar disorder is approximately 16.6 percent among adult people. This disorder leads to extreme highs and lows and is highly treatable without hospitalization. Thankfully, treatment for bipolar disorder can be based on a combination of psychotherapy and medication. The results of these studies are encouraging for both men and women. Despite its high incidence, depression can be treatable and is not considered a serious illness.