Although the world is getting advanced by the day, there are still a lot of stigmas attached to mental health disorders. People hide their psychiatric illnesses to skip the label of ‘being crazy.’
Well, having a mental health disorder doesn’t make you crazy. It’s as normal as having a physical ailment. The first step is to accept the condition and for that, the world needs awareness. In this article today, I’m going to share with you the top five psychiatric illnesses that are rapidly taking over the world. Have a look:
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder, generally known as depression, is the most common mental health disorder these days. As per the WHO report, around 280 million people in the world have depression. It is equally common in both males and females.
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder:
- Persistent sadness and hopelessness
- Pessimism and social withdrawal
- Decreased need for sleep
- Loss of appetite or binge eating
- Fatigue and body aches
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Treatment Options of Major Depressive Disorder
- Antidepressants and benzodiazepines
- Muscle and nerve relaxants
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Lifestyle rehabilitation, including exercise and yoga
- Herbs and plants like valerian root and distillate THC
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder, commonly referred to as PTSD, is another common mental health disorder. Even though many people believe that PTSD is only found in military men and those who are exposed to a war or something, it’s not true. Anyone who has experienced a traumatic experience can have PTSD.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Severe emotional distress and irritability
- Nightmares or flashbacks of the traumatic event
- Physical reactions, including shaking and sweating
- Developing an avoidant personality
- Always being on guard for danger
- Frequent thoughts of suicide and death
Treatment Options for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Cognitive processing therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
- Prolonged exposure therapy
- Stress inoculation training
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder that lies somewhere between mood and psychotic disorders is among the most prevalent mental health conditions today. It manifests in three different episodes, mania, hypomania, or major depressive episode. Therefore, it’s tricky to diagnose bipolar disorder.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
- Irritable or jumpy mood
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Racing thoughts and disorganized speech
- Abnormal or excessive energy
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Suicidal thoughts or preoccupation with death
Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
- Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers
- Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Individual and family-focused therapy
- Lifestyle changes, including exercise and meditation
Schizoaffective Disorder
Ranking fourth is schizoaffective disorder. It wasn’t common previously but as of now, more and more people are being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. As per statistics, about one in every 200 people develops schizoaffective disorder at some point in his life.
Symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder
- Feelings of emptiness, sadness, and worthlessness
- Unusual or bizarre behavior
- Impaired speech and communication
- Visual or auditory hallucinations
- Delusions — false ideas and fixed beliefs
Treatment Options for Schizoaffective Disorder
- Antipsychotics and antidepressants
- Sleep-inducing agents in case of insomnia
- Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
- Social skills training
- Individual, family, or group therapy
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly referred to as OCD, also affects millions of people worldwide. As mentioned by the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1.2% of adults in the US have had OCD in the past year. Also, the disorder is more common in females than males.
Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Unwanted thoughts, including sexual and religious objects
- Terrible visions about losing control
- Thoughts of harming oneself or others around
- Needing things in an order
- Difficulty standing uncertainty
- Fear of dirt or contamination
Treatment Options for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Antidepressants and benzodiazepines
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
So there you have it! The ones mentioned above are a few mental health disorders that are eating away the world. Knowing the symptoms and treatment options beforehand can save you from getting into trouble in the future. Stay safe, my pals!