Mental Disorders

• Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can cause delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and other symptoms that can make it difficult to function in daily life.
• Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings between manic episodes (elevated or irritable mood) and depressive episodes (feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and low energy).
• The causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood but may involve genetic factors, brain chemistry imbalances, environmental stressors, or a combination of these factors.
• Treatment options for schizophrenia include medication (antipsychotics), psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and support from family and friends.
• Major depression is a common but serious medical illness that negatively affects how people feel, think, and act.
• Symptoms of schizophrenia can include delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking and speech, negative symptoms (such as apathy and lack of emotion), and cognitive impairment (such as difficulty with attention and memory).
• Schizophreniform disorder is a mental disorder characterized by symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia but with a shorter duration.
• Symptoms of schizophreniform disorder can include delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking and speech, negative symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Must be present for at least one month but less than six months to meet the diagnostic criteria.
• Schizoaffective Disorder:

  A chronic mental illness characterized by a combination of symptoms of both schizophrenia and a mood disorder such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.
• schizoaffective disorder symptoms: Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, and bizarre behavior. Mood disturbances, including depression or mania, that occur during the same period as the other symptoms. Difficulty functioning in daily life due to symptoms.
• time duration for schizoaffective disorder: Symptoms must persist for at least two weeks to be considered for a diagnosis.
• The main symptom of Delusional Disorder is one or more non-bizarre delusions that persist for at least one month. Other possible symptoms include irritability, anger, and anxiety related to the delusion(s), as well as social isolation and difficulty with work or school
• Brief Psychotic Disorder: This disorder is characterized by a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, or catatonic behavior, that last at least one day but less than one month.
• The symptoms of Brief Psychotic Disorder include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, or catatonic behavior. These symptoms can be severe and may cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.
• Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition is distinguished from other psychotic disorders in that the symptoms are directly caused by a medical condition, whereas in other psychotic disorders, the symptoms are not directly related to a medical condition.
• Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition: Presence of delusions, hallucinations, or other psychotic symptoms. Symptoms are directly attributable to a medical condition. Symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.
• Catatonia Associated with Another Mental Disorder: This is a subtype of catatonia that occurs as a result of another mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.
• Catatonic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition: This is a subtype of catatonia that occurs as a result of another medical condition, such as a neurological disorder, metabolic disorder, or drug use.
• Paranoid Personality Disorder: Long-standing distrust and suspicion of others, without evidence of pervasive delusions or hallucinations. The individual is guarded, defensive, and often hypervigilant, anticipating harm or betrayal from others. May have difficulties with intimacy and close relationships.
• Signs and symptoms of Paranoid Personality Disorder:

  • Distrust and suspicion of others, even without evidence

  • Hypervigilance and guardedness

  • Difficulty with intimate relationships

  • Tendency to blame others for their problems

  • Lack of humor and emotional coldness
• Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder include emotional detachment, a lack of interest in social relationships, limited emotional expression, and a preference for solitary activities.

  • Individuals with Schizoid Personality Disorder may also have difficulty experiencing pleasure, a reduced ability to experience emotions, and a lack of motivation.
• Symptoms of Schizoid Personality Disorder typically become noticeable in early adulthood, but the disorder may be difficult to diagnose because many individuals with this condition do not seek treatment.
• The signs and symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder include eccentric behavior and dress, odd beliefs or superstitions, social anxiety, paranoia, and perceptual disturbances. Individuals with this disorder may also have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, and may experience transient psychotic episodes.