A common symptom of psychological illness is a pattern of behavior, thought, or emotional disturbance. In this condition, a person experiences disorganized thinking, feelings, or events that are not present. This disorganized behavior may result in pipedreams or an inconsistent, disrupted discourse. Symptoms of psychological illness can range from mild to severe, ranging from delusions to paranoia. There are a number of treatments available for psychological illnesses.
Usually, a person with a psychological disorder experiences significant distress and disability. These symptoms are the result of inner experiences, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. They greatly impair the ability of the person to perform daily activities. This is called functional impairment, occupational disability, or social impairment. A person suffering from this condition may also be fearful of social situations, leading to a life of lack of socialization. It can be difficult to gain adequate support and employment because of the stigma of this disorder.
Some people find certain behaviors bizarre or incomprehensible. Differences in how they define bizarreness can be contentious. Some ex-patient groups have become militantly anti-psychiatric. In Italy, Giorgio Antonucci has dismantled two psychiatric hospitals, challenging their premise. The term “psychiatric illness” is a jargon for psychological disorders. In many cultures, psychological disorders are associated with a feeling of weakness or worthlessness.
The treatment of psychological illnesses in men has traditionally been dominated by male physicians. The dominant medical model of mental illness favored strong providers and reinforced male masculinity. Physicians were almost entirely male, subject to the same constraints as their patients. Today, it is estimated that 75 percent of suicides are committed by men. It is not a good picture for both genders. And yet, there are many instances of male victims of psychological illness. The statistics are alarming.
Depression is one of the most common forms of psychological illness. About 60 million people worldwide suffer from depression and related disorders. It can interfere with one’s life, including work, school, and relationships. In severe cases, a person may even begin thinking about suicide. Treatment for depression depends on the severity of the disorder, and often includes psychotherapy, antidepressant medication, and cognitive behavior therapy. A patient suffering from depression should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Women experience psychological illness differently from men. This is due in part to the stigma attached to this disorder. Historically, women have relied on opinions of others to build their self-esteem. A woman suffering from a serious mental illness will often avoid seeking treatment for fear of being branded a weak person. In some cases, women who suffer from depression may even opt to hide their symptoms to avoid social or societal stigma. For these reasons, treatment for psychological illness for women is much more difficult.
Despite these advances in understanding the nature of the disorder, its diagnosis has not remained constant. Different authorities developed classification schemes to classify patients. Although the term psychiatric was first used in 1808, its use was not widespread until the twentieth century. As many different authorities used the term, the conditions in which people suffered from psychological illness were increasingly diagnosed as “psychotic illnesses”. As a result, the term psychiatry was coined and psychiatrists began to refer to the patients as “patients” and the facilities became hospitals.