Psychological diseases are mainly two types –Neurosis and Psychosis. Now, the most frequently used word is psychosis. But many of us do no t know the actual meaning of it.There are number of misconceptions and false beliefs attached to it The main symptom of psychosis is not able to recognize the facts and the individual is often of the opinion that his illusions only are the real things. That is why, he behaves peculiarly and abnormally. But he thinks that his behavior with others is quite normal and he usually refuses to go for treatment. The other signs and symptoms of psychosis are: 1. He develops such abnormal thoughts like that his wife is having illegal sexual contacts with others. 2. Enemies are searching for him and also his family members. 3. He often thinks that he is having extraordinary powers or earning lots of amounts of money. 4. Others are having no business, except, always taking about him, including news papers and TV channels also. 5. The point of time of disappearing of this world is fast approaching. 6. He is of the strong opinion that he is fit for nothing, as he committed blunders. 7. He feels that he is suffering from number of diseases. 8. He thinks that many women are after him (loving him). 9. He strongly believes that somebody removing his original thoughts from his brain by various methods and forcing other thoughts into his brain. That is why others know his thoughts without revealed by him. 10. Others are controlling him, with the help of computers and other modern instruments. 11. They are under the wrong impression somebody are standing near by them and talking to them, (actually nobody is there). Even if we say, that nobody is there, they won’t accept the facts. 12. Sometimes, they talk to themselves and also do laughing and weeping, without any apparent cause. 13. They prefer to live in their own world. Behavior pattern: Sometimes, they run away from the homes and commit suicides. Often quarrel with others and also harm others. Causes and the mechanism behind Psychosis: 1. Difference in the levels of –dopamine and serotonin, (the chemical products that are secreted in the brain), due to genetic, tensions, and bodily diseases also affect their secretary mechanism. 2. Injuries to the head 3. Taking alcohol and other narcotic drugs 4. Drugs ,using for fits ( in epilepsy) 5. Occurrence of excessive bleeding after delivery, in females. 6. Diseases affecting the brain. 7. Death of the nearest and dearest in the families and also in relatives. 8. Financial problems, quarrels in the families, failures in the competitive exams, etc. 9. Persons having weak bodies are more prone to psychosis. Management of Psychosis: 1. Never tie them with chains (often done by the family members) when the patients behave rudely, instead tie them with clothes, if necessary. 2. Better approach the psychiatrist for counseling and for treatment. 3. There are best drugs available and the symptoms gradually disappear within 4-6 weeks. Even after curing of the disease, the treatment and counseling has to be continued further f0r 6-9 months, as there are chances of recurrence. If the disease doesn’t come under control, the treatment has to be continued for 2-5years, at least. The most important thing here is the family members should have more patience and show kindness towards to the patient and deal with the patient with motherly love. … [Read more...]
Schizophrenia patients are at heart attack risk
People with schizophrenia are at double risk of heart attack than normal people. According to Harvard Mental Health Centre November newsletter, Heart diseases cause double the number of deaths in Schizophrenics. Schizophrenia symptoms: 1. Disorganised thinking. 2. Auditory hallucinations. 3. Delusions. 4. Patient may remain mute and exhibit purposeless agitation in serious cases. Why Schizophrenic patients are at high risk? These patients generally go to psychiatrist for their illnesses. Psychiatrists concentrate mainly on mental health by overlooking physical health. These patients generally do not receive good preventive care and support from family and community. There are no other specific medical reasons for their increased risk. Only concern is they irregularly take prescribed drugs. 50% of patients do not follow prescribed schedule making themselves prone to diseases. Family members should provide good diet and regular physical health checkups to prevent deaths from heart diseases in these patients. Click here to subscribe for “The Harvard Mental Health Newsletter”. … [Read more...]
World Mental Health Day – October 10
World Mental health day is observed every year on October 10 to raise awareness on mental health disorders. World Mental Health day theme for 2007 is “Mental Health in a Changing World: the Impact of Culture and Diversity”. World Mental Health Day was started by World Federation for Mental Health in 1992. Basic aim of this day is to educate people on mental health issues and their consequences. Family and friends play crucial role in the diagnosis and management of mental illnesses by providing proper support. But most of them have no idea on the symptoms of mental illnesses. We concentrate more on physical health but not on mental health. We can prevent most of the suicides if we have basic knowledge on the symptoms of depression and other mental disorders. According to World Health Organization, 25% of the world population is suffering from mental illnesses. But only 40% of these cases are diagnosed and treated. 1 million annual suicides are the result of these undiagnosed or missed cases. Most common causes for these suicides are depression, dementia, anxiety and Schizophrenia. There is a severe shortage of well qualified counselors and psychiatrists to diagnose and treat mental health disorders especially in developing countries. There is a heavy loss of work days and consequent productivity loss due to these mental illnesses. I hope Mental Health Day will create more awareness on mental health disorders among general population. … [Read more...]
Mental health disorders took toll on working days
Mental and physical illnesses are taking big toll on the working days of employees thereby causing monetary loss to companies. 50% of Americans on average is losing 32.1 working days a year due to 30 different illnesses. So, 3.6 billion days a year are lost due to these diseases of which mental illnesses account for 1.3 billion days. This was revealed in a survey by Harvard Medical School researchers. The results are published in the October issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. Survey was conducted on 6,000 adults over age 18. Depression is the major mental illness while neck and back pain is the major physical illness that is responsible for loss of so many work days. But researchers have not given any guidance on monetary impact due to loss of these work days. Physicians failed to diagnose mental illnesses properly. 75% of elderly patients who committed suicide were consulted doctors just before one month. But doctors failed to diagnose the underlying mental illness and treat it. Depression is the major factor for these suicides. How many work days lost due to mental disorders? Depression took toll on 387 million working days while 214 million days lost due to social phobia. 113 million work days lost due to post traumatic stress disorder (POST), 110 million days lost due to generalized anxiety and 103 million days due to bipolar disorder. Panic disorders accounted for 101 million while substance abuse took toll on 93 million working days. Chronic conditions like cancer (71.5 million), heart attack (204 million), stroke (221 million), and vision loss are also taking so many work days of people. Governments should spend more money to study the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal conditions and psychiatric disorders. … [Read more...]
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