Mental Disorders - Treatment, Symptoms and Causes

The term “mental disorder” can cover anything from PTSD, to anxiety disorder; and given the sheer number of cases being reported from all over the world, it is to be expected that the current figures of 450 million individuals diagnosed with various mental disorders worldwide will double by the next decade. The mental disorders is not a new subject and had been studied to an extent by the ancient Greeks but not much is yet known about why some are more susceptible to the same while others do not.

It is assumed that genetics and family history does play a pivotal role in the sense that you are more at risk of developing mental disorders if you have a family history that features the same rather prominently. More and more mental disorders are being studied in depth and while treatment methodology can differ depending on the type of mental disorder that you are currently suffering from, therapy and counseling form a pivotal part of any treatment process. However, many patients continue to suffer from the various mental disorders despite the fact that it is a manageable condition provided treatment is given in time, on account of the stigma associated with the same.

As indicated earlier, not much detailed research was done on this topic until a few decades back and it is assumed that most patients start displaying some of the symptoms associated with these mental disorders due to changes in their brain chemistry. It is further thought that these changes can take place due to various reasons, from environmental factors or even facing a sudden trauma like a head injury which can lead to the change in brain chemistry.

Apart from environmental and biological factors, a patient can also develop mental disorders on account of genetic predisposition to develop the same. More often than not, a detailed study of their family history would indicate that several other family members suffered from the same disorder. This is why it is essential that you consult a doctor right away on spotting some of the symptoms listed below, as most, if not all the mental disorders are treatable and you can manage your condition with the right medication and lead a normal life again.

Some of the symptoms associated with mental disorders are listed below. Please consult a health professional right away if some of these symptoms listed below sound too familiar:

• Sudden, unexplainable mood swings
• Behavioral changes
• Paranoia, thinks everyone is out to get them
• Remains withdrawn from close family members, relatives
• Remains listless, fatigued all the time
• Starts abusing alcohol
• Starts abusing other controlled substances
• Shows or starts displaying violence towards others around them
• Inability to cope with anything stressful
• High levels of stress
• Changes in sex drive
• Feeling extremely depressed
• Feeling suicidal

Given the various mental disorders, it is but natural for the treatment methodologies to differ as well. Your doctor would first assess your condition and then talk to your family and friends to help confirm the same; he would then test you further before diagnosing your current condition and the associated mental disorder. He would then prescribe psychoactive medication to help treat any imbalance in the brain chemistry, as well as mood altering drugs, which are supposed to help you combat depression.

Apart from this, you would be asked to attend counseling and psychological therapy for the duration of your treatment. You may be required to take medication for prolonged periods depending on the severity of your condition so that you can manage your condition better and continue to lead a normal life. And you may be required to report in for periodic counseling sessions to ensure that there is no relapse on your part.

Mental disorders are being studied in-depth only now and so far, there is no known way to prevent a person from developing the same. Most therapists hold the view that an active social life, social interactions with others can actually help foster a healthy environment which should prevent anyone from developing mental disorders. Apart from this, eating healthy, and practicing a good workout should ensure that your brain chemistry is well balanced and a good workout should result in more dopamine being released by your brain, which should make you feel good about yourself.

There are no withdrawal symptoms associated with the disorder itself, however, if you should continue to stop taking the prescribed medication, this can cause you to experience some of the withdrawal symptoms listed below and may even cause you to relapse as well.

• Dry or cottonmouth
• Feeling extremely depressed
• Displaying extreme range of emotions, moods
• Becoming violent