Psychological Disorders and Diagnoses Tips
Read these 27 Psychological Disorders and Diagnoses Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Psychological tips and hundreds of other topics.
Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder
How do we treat seasonal affective disorder? Light therapy is the treatment of choice.
- Expose yourself to bright light in the morning. If you get up after sunrise, you could go outside or sit by a large window -- even on cloudy days.
- Or use a light box, a powerful lamp that is 10 to 20 brighter than the average light. Sit in front of it for about 30 minutes each morning.
- You don't have to stare at the light, just be around it. Read the paper, carry on a conversation, eat breakfast, or even watch television, but keep the light box is in your peripheral vision.
- About 60-80% of patients show improvement after sitting under a light box for 30 minutes or longer each day. Relief can come in two to 14 days.
If light therapy isn't effective, your doctor or mental health professional may prescribe antidepressant medication or discuss seeking counseling.
Comorbidity of Anorexia Nervosa & Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Some studies have shown the co-occurrence of obsessive compulsive disorder in over two-thirds of patients with anorexia. In these cases, the obsessions tend to focus on food, exercise, and dieting. The compulsions (behaviors that the patient engaged in to relieve anxiety) often include weighing food, cutting it into small pieces, or excessively chewing food.
Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms
Feeling down? Sluggish? You might be experiencing the winter blues. A more severe form of the winter blues is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that surfaces in fall and winter, when the shorter periods of daylight seem to throw off their circadian rhythms. Show symptoms of depression and feel lousy nearly every day.
Signs and symptoms of SAD include:
- Depression
- Loss of energy
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Feeling tired, sleeping more
- Loss of interest in sex
- Changes in appetite, especially an increased appetite and craving for carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Difficulty concentrating and processing information
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- In women, premenstrual syndrome that worsens or occurs only in winter
Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Did you know that as many as 1 in 20 people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? It is thought that the lack of sunlight disrupts the circadian rhythms, the internal biological clock. Geographical differences in the diagnosis of SAD supports the theory that lack of light is the culprit.
SAD becomes more common the further you get from the equator. Research suggests that while about 1% of people in Florida get SAD, it's closer to 10% in New Hampshire. Many more people have milder versions of SAD, meaning that they experience some symptoms, but not enough for a formal diagnosis.
Why Don't Individuals with Bipolar Seek Help?
Individuals with bipolar disorder often need help to get help. The manic phase of the disorder is often perceived as pleasurable, even though the individual may become dangerous to him or herself. People with bipolar disorder often don't recognize that a problem exists.
Suicide Warning Signs
Warning Signs of Suicide:
*increased irritability
*withdrawal from family and friends
*giving away possessions
*decline in school performance
*increased use of drugs or alcohol
*dramatic change in dress, activities, or friends
*discussions of suicide
*changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Causes of Anorexia: Sociocultural Factors
Anorexia nervosa is a complex disorder with multiple causes that may be different for each person. Some theorists have pointed to sociocultural factors as potential causes for anorexia. Distorted body images and body dissatisfaction may be influenced by how weight is portrayed in the media, as well as our cultural values about women's appearance.
Prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa
According to the American Psychiatric Association, anorexia nervosa is diagnosed in less than one percent of the population. Then why does anorexia receive so much press? Anorexia is highly salient. It afflicts people who appear to be quite successful and have everything going for them. Also, many cases of anorexia nervosa persist without a diagnosis. Researchers have estimated that 18 to 20% of school aged girls show symptoms of an undiagnosed eating disorder.
Exercise for Relief of Depressive Symptoms
Exercise may help to relieve symptoms of depression. One study demonstrated that depression suffers who walked, ran or performed strenght training three times a week for 20-60 minutes were significantly less depressed after five weeks. When workouts were maintained, the improvements lasted until the study's end one year later.
Bipolar Disorder and Treatment Resistance
Family and friends must provide strong encouragement and advise the individual with bipolar disorder
to seek help. Bipolar disorder doesn't not go away. Only compliance with treatment will keep the disease under control.
Progression of Untreated Bipolar Disorder
Untreated, bipolar disorder tends to worsen. The afflicted person will tend to experience episodes of full-fledged mania and depression.
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder:
INATTENTION:
*difficulty focusing on any one task for long
*boredom, distractibility
*inability to finish activities
*sloppy errors
*poor listening skills
*losing or forgetting things
*failure to follow instruction accurately and completely
Often occurs with hyperactivity:
*does not stay seated in settings where it is expected
*fidgeting
*runs & climbs about excessively
*difficulty playing quietly
*constantly "on the go"
*talks excessively
Impulsivity is a common correlate:
*blurts out answers to questions before they are finished
*often interrupts others
*difficulty wainting for turn
Symptoms of Depression
Remember diagnosis can only be done by a licensed professional. If you or a loved one exhibits 5 or more of the following symptoms go to your doctor, or a therapist.
*depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
*diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day
*significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain
*insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
*fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
*feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
*diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
*recurrent thoughts or death, recurrent suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt
Causes of Anorexia: Family System
Some theorists argue that self-starvation may be a girl's attempt at asserting her autonomy in an overly controlling family system. Parents may have exceedingly high expectations that girls find difficult to live up to. Teens may starve as a way of exerting control over their lives and bodies. Most girls diagnosed with anorexia nervosa are perfectionists and extend their over achieving tendencies to weight loss. Weight loss may become a symbol of mastery.
Consequences of Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is a disorder of self-starvation that has both physical and psychological consequences. Some of the common consequences and correlates of anorexia nervosa include, but are not limited to:
- Emaciation
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
- Muscle atrophy
- As the heart muscle deteriorates, the rhythm often changes, putting the anorexic at risk for heart attacks.
- Bone loss
- Infertility
- Osteoporosis
- Kidney failure
- Heart failure
- Respiratory infections
- Social withdrawal
- Loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure
- Difficulty concentrating
Symptoms of a Manic Episode
Only a licensed professional can diagnose, if you or a loved one is experiencing this symptomology, contact your doctor or a therapist
A distinct perion of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood lasting at least 1 week
during the period of mood disturbance three (3) of the following symptoms have persisted and been presnet to a significant degree:
*inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
*decreased need for sleep(feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
*more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
*flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
*distractibility
*increase in goal directed activityor psychomotor agitaion
*excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
Bipolar Disorder and Weight loss
Persons with bipolar disorder often lose weight. The severe weight loss is indicative of the manic episodes in which the person is so active that he or she can't stop to eat, or so hyperactive that he or she is burning more calories than consuming. It is also a symptom of the depressive episodes bcause persons with depression often lose their appetite.
The weight loss is part of the disorder and can best be treated by treating the disorder.
Causes of Anorexia: Biological
Some theorists argue that there is a genetic or biological component to anorexia. Biological relatives of anorexia patients are about eight times more likely to be diagnosed themselves. However, mechanisms of genetic transmission have not yet been identified. Anorexia nervosa often co-occurs with other psychological disorders that are known to have a biological component including depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
What does it mean to be manic-depressive, or to have bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, is a psychological disorder in which a person shifts from states of depression to mania. During the depressive phase, the person with bipolar disorder experiences symptoms of depression including sadness, disinterest in activities that he or she once found pleasure in, and a general slow down. The manic phase is the exact opposite of the depressive phase. During the manic phase, the person experiences symptoms of mania including speeded up thought processes, excessive activity, fast speech, and poor judgment. The person's self esteem raises; he or she becomes more sociable, and impulsive behavior often occurs. Because thinking is speeded up, the person experiencing mania wants to act quickly and keep up with their racing thoughts. Impulsive and dangerous behavior often occurs during this phase.
Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is diagnosed on the basis of the following symptoms:
- Excessive weight loss from dieting and exercising. Specifically, a weight that is 15% below the minimum normal level based on age and height.
- Distorted sense of body image. The person with anorexia nervosa perceives herself as fat, no matter how much weight she loses.
- Intense fear of gaining weight. This fear is not alleviated with weight loss.
- Amenorrhea, the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.
Diagnosing Seasonal Affective Disorder
To be diagnosed with the seasonal pattern of major depression (the clinical diagnosis of SAD), a person must have experienced depression and other symptoms in at least two consecutive winters, followed by non-depressed periods in the spring and summer.
If you've been feeling down, you may not have full blown SAD, but a milder form of the winter blues. Next week we'll learn more about the winter blues.
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
What causes bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component. Blood relatives of persons diagnosed with bipolar disorder have higher chances of being diagnosed themselves. Also, bipolar disorder responds well to drugs, suggesting a biological basis. Lithium, a mood stabilizer, is most commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder. About 70-80% of patients respond to lithium within 2 weeks.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Treatment
Typically the most effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorders combine psychological and psychopharmacologic approaches. Medications are usually helpful in treating physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., panic attacks); however they are best used as short term treatments. Usually the medication is used to help the symptoms subside so that the patient can learn relaxation techniques, coping strategies, and other therapeutic techniques- so that the anxiety is eventually controlled without the need for medication.
Prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder
As many as 1 in 20 people suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). There are also geographical differences in the diagnosis of SAD. SAD becomes more common the further you get from the equator. Research suggests that while about 1% of people in Florida get SAD, it's closer to 10% in New Hampshire.
Many more people have milder versions of SAD -- their symptoms are still evident but not severe enough to qualify as a major depression.
Symptoms of a Panic Attack
Diagnosis can only be done by a licensed professional, treatment is possible. If you or a loved one exhibit the following sypmtoms, see your doctor or a therapist
A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four or more of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes
*palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
*sweating
*trembling or shaking
*sensation or shortness of breath or smothering
*feeling of choking
*chest pain or discomfort
*nausea or abdominal distress
*feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
*feeling or unreality or being detached from oneself
*fear of losing control or going crazy
*fear of dying
*numbmess or tingling sensations
*chills or hot flushes
Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
-Eating much faster than normal
-Eating large amoutns of food in one sitting (2,000 calories or more)
-Eating alone because of feelings of embarrassment
-Feeling guilty after binges
-Bingeing at least twice a week for at least 6 months
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Diagnosis can only be done by a licensed professional. Treatment is available, see your doctor or a therapist
Either obsessions or compulsions:
Obsessions as defined by 1,2,3,and 4:
1. recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate and cause anxiety or distres
2. the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems
3. the person attempts to ignore or suppress these thoughts, impulses, or images or to neutralize them with some other thought or action
4. the person recognizes that the ovsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind
Compulsions as defind by 1 and 2:
1. repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to and obsession, or to rules that must be applied rigidly
2. the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation: however, these behaviors either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are desighed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive
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| Lynne Christen |
