Mental Health Conditions, Addiction, and Disease Diagnosis
Common Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety Disorders
A group of disorders characterized by intense fear or anxiety.
Depression
The most common mental illness. Symptoms include excessive sadness and a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities.
Eating Disorders
Often beginning in adolescence or young adulthood, these are a significant concern, especially for women. Examples include anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Characterized by difficulties in controlling energy levels. Individuals may forget tasks, be easily distracted, exhibit restlessness, and talk excessively.
Personality Disorders
Various disorders characterized by rigid and inappropriate patterns of behavior.
Dementia
A progressive loss of mental abilities, more common in the elderly. The most common form is Alzheimer’s disease.
Treating Mental Illness
Pharmacological and psychological treatments exist that allow individuals with mental illness to recover completely or experience significant improvement. The actions and attitudes of friends and family are also important.
Many people with mental illness do not seek proper treatment because of fear, lack of information, and concern about the stigma associated with their condition.
Understanding Addictive Behaviors
Addictive behaviors are included within the field of mental illness because they involve significant changes in an individual’s behavior.
- Substance Abuse Disorder: Occurs when a person’s substance use interferes with their normal life and daily activities.
- Dependency: Characterized by a person spending significant time in activities related to obtaining and consuming drugs.
- Withdrawal: Symptoms that occur when substance use is stopped, specific to each drug.
About Drugs and Their Effects
A drug is any substance which, when introduced into the body, is capable of producing changes in the brain that involve abnormal behavior, leading to abuse and dependence processes, and causing an irresistible impulse to take the substance.
Drug Classifications
Drugs are typically classified into three groups based on their effects on the nervous system:
- Nervous System Depressants: Cause sleepiness, slowed reactions, and reduced heart and respiratory rates. A low dose in the short term can produce excitement and stimulation. Examples include alcohol, sleeping pills, and heroin.
- Nervous System Stimulants: Increase attention span, reduce the need for sleep, provide a greater sense of mental and physical performance, and reduce appetite. Examples include amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine, and nicotine.
- Nervous System Disturbing Agents (Hallucinogens): Alter basic psychological functions, impeding concentration, attention, reasoning, and memory, and altering perceptions. Examples include cannabis, volatile solvents, and synthetic drugs.
Diagnosing Diseases
Stages of Diagnosis
Diagnosis is the procedure used to identify the disease afflicting a patient. It is a process with several steps:
- Clinical Interview or History: Questioning the patient about their symptoms and medical background.
- Physical Examination: Collecting information through the senses (e.g., inspection, palpation, auscultation).
- Investigations: Requesting specific medical tests for assistance.
Common Diagnostic Investigations
- Blood test
- Imaging techniques:
- X-ray
- Computed Tomography (CT or scanner)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
- Nuclear Medicine
- Catheterization
- Recording techniques of electrical activity (e.g., ECG, EEG)
- Stress Test
- Endoscopic techniques
- Biopsy
Disease Treatment: Medications
Medications play a significant role in treating many diseases.