Schizophrenia
Causes
The cause of schizophrenia has not been conclusively established by psychological experts. Usually, it is difficult for people who suffer from this psychological disorder to have the right sense of reality. The distinction between fantasy and reality is usually a difficult task for them.
The progress of schizophrenia is unique from one individual to another. There are those people who encounter only a single episode of the psychological condition and proceed to live normally.
However, there are those individuals who may continually not be at ease with their auditory functions and they tend to hallucinate throughout their lifetime. Moreover, there are those schizophrenia patients who may be affected by the disorder once in a while even as they live their normal lives.
Although the actual cause of schizophrenia is not known, genetics play a very important role in its transmission.
Moreover, there is a higher possibility of one twin struggling with the disorder while the other one remains perfectly well.
This gives a hint that factors related to the immediate environment are instrumental on who can develop this disorder.
This is a mental disturbance which is associated with hallucinations related to auditory whereby the moods, state of thinking and behavioral patterns are severely perturbed (Brad, 2000).
A deficit in the neurological system or defection in the enzyme status are some of the abnormalities associated with the biochemical system and are not the actual causes of schizophrenia.
Symptoms
- Anxiety.
- Confusion.
- Hallucinations.
- Frozen behavior which may lead to the patient remaining standstill for several hours.
- Nervous actions which are jumpy.
- Tendency to hear voices or sounds which do not exist.
- Fantasy of persecution.
- Insensible thinking.
- Suppressed Emotional expressions.
- Thinking and acting in an inconsistent manner for instance the person might laugh while at the same time attempting to explain how he or she hates others.
- Feelings of being indomitable.
The onset of schizophrenia is often associated with bizarre behavioral patterns. Schizophrenia patients often think differently from normal and their behaviors are usually odd. As a result, they tend to isolate themselves from the social domain or withdraw completely from others.
Treatment
Reduction of schizophrenia symptoms as well as reducing the possibility of relapse are the main approaches used to treat this psychological disorder bearing in mind that schizophrenia is a combination of several conditions.
Therapy or medical treatment of schizophrenia persists throughout one’s lifetime because the disorder has no permanent cure (Brad, 2000).
Psychosocial treatments by use of medications which are antipsychotic in nature as well as lobotomies have been recommended as viable treatment methods for schizophrenia.
There are a myriad of medical options which are available for schizophrenia patients. In fact, the affected can still revert to their normal lives.
Depression
Causes
The actual cause of depression has not been known yet by psychological experts. However, research studies have conclusively demonstrated that females are more likely to encounter depression episodes two times as much as males. Nevertheless, the following illustrations have been used to explain the likely causes of depression.
A gross loss in an individual’s life can prompt depression. For instance, losses occasioned by the death of a loved one or acquaintances and family breakdowns due to divorce or separation besides being hopeless and lack of self identity.
Anger which is not outwardly expressed can be a very powerful cause of depression.
There are pertinent brain chemicals like serotonin which are often less in amount among individuals who are undergoing depression. Insufficient brain chemicals may also cause depression.
Research studies have revealed that females are twice as likely as males to become depressed.
Depression is an unexceptional psychological disorder that is characterized with guilt feelings, low self esteem, perturbed sleeping episodes, suppressed mood, lack of appetite, interest or passion as well as inability to concentrate. Those people who prefer to keep to themselves and not comment or complain at all even if they are pressed up or uncomfortable are more likely to get depressed than those who openly speak out or express their rage.
On the family history, the genetic factor attached to family lines also plays a very important role in the cause of depression. Some people develop depression due to genetic vulnerabilities passed on from parent to offspring.
Stress development
Persistent stress episodes occasioned by such factors like financial hardships and chronic illnesses can easily transform to depression.
Perfection
The desire to achieve the best through seeking utmost perfection in one’s undertaking is a known cause of depression.
Symptoms
Besides, depressed persons tend to withdraw from people and other normal activities. Moreover, restlessness which is beyond the activity level of a person can be a good indicator of depression.
This is sometimes accompanied with erratic behavioral patterns like episodes of moaning or crying. Low levels of activity coupled with extreme difficulty of undertaking certain common exercises can be symptoms of depression.
Certain signs in the body such as fatigue, poor appetite, and bad sleeping habits can be indicators that a person is undergoing depression.
Depressed individuals are often sad right from their physical appearance. This state of sadness doesn’t seem to dissipate but rather lasts for infinitely long period of time. The onset of depression is often evident when the affected person no longer derive passion or interest from most activities and everything appears to be dull.
Treatment
- Each of the different causes of depression may require completely unique treatment methods.
- It is often important for the affected person to seek immediate help and necessary treatment or therapy before the situation gets out of hand.
- Nevertheless, natural treatment option has been the best preferred method over the use of antidepressants or seeking psychological therapy.
The disorder can be treated. depressed individuals tend to be less motivated and they partially or completely lack initiative to do things on their own. Other general symptoms include numbness, anxiety, low self confidence and a state of helplessness.
St John’s Wort
- This has been prescribed as the best method of treating depression level which has not progressed too far and in which the use of drugs has not been affected.
- This is especially recommended for people whose state of depression is still mild and do not want to take antidepressants. Physical activity is boosted with the use of this method.
This treatment method is achieved through taking minor physical exercises, reducing the intake amount of processed sugars such as refined foods, caffeine or too much of animal fats. The depressed patient should take plenty of fluids and dwell much on the hobbies.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Symptoms:
- Panic and anxiety usually accompany this psychological disorder. The psychological mechanisms are usually overwhelmed by the occurrence of a tragic event.
- Besides, confusion is usually evident on the face of the traumatized person (Hollandsworth, 1990).
- Cause and Treatment:
- The main cause of a post traumatic disorder is an encounter with a traumatic experience like violence. Children who undergo physical or emotional abuse can also experience this disorder.
- Most victims of post-traumatic stress disorder are children and old people. This group of people has relatively weak emotions. This disorder can be treated.
The post-traumatic stress disorders is a form of psychological disorder which leaves the affected person with a helpless feeling as well as lack of personal control. Assaults and earthquakes or any other traumatic event can cause this disorder (Hollandsworth, 1990).
Obsessive Compulsive Personality
Cause
The main cause of obsessive compulsive disorder is stress related factors such as depression. Personality also plays a critical role in precipitating the disorder.
Symptoms and Treatment
Those who suffer from this disorder are often obsessed with too much worry on anything to do with contamination. The person is also dominated with a feeling of a bad occurrence in the near future.
There is equally a lot fear which surrounds the individual and he or she keeps worrying that another person will be harmed. In some instances, the individual tends to be pre-occupied with discarding things which are less value (Harvey, Watkins & Mansell, 2004).
Modification of behavior is the chief treatment method which has been adopted to countercheck the disorder. In some cases, medical prescription also works especially if the disorder is at advanced stage.
Anxiety is the main feeling which a person undergoes when suffering from obsessive compulsive personality. Most psychologists argue that the disorder can successfully treated if combined treatment methods are used. This psychological disorder is fully treatable especially if it is diagnosed at a tender age.
Bulimia Nervosa
Symptoms
Binge eating is the main characteristic of bulimia nervosa. The person eats quite frequently like within a span of two hours.
The quantity of food eaten is rather excessive (Harvey, Watkins & Mansell, 2004). This is repeated regularly. The individual also has a feeling that he or she is unable to take control of the amount of food taken at any given time.
In order to overcome the effects caused by their eating disorders, bulimia nervosa patients may fast or avoid food, induce vomiting or excessively use laxatives.
Consumption of a lot of food is characteristic of people who suffer from bulimia nervosa. They later purge themselves through a variety of ways like vomiting and doing exercises. It is often not easy to identify those who are suffering from this disorder because the affected persons tend to hide their acts from people and they can proceed with it for considerably long period of time.
Adjustment disorder
Symptoms
State of hopelessness, lack of passion while working or engaging in other activities and sadness. The situation does not persist for long because once the person has fully adjusted; he or she goes back to the normal condition (Barlow, 2008).
Causes
There are different types of stress which can cause adjustment disorder. For instance, broken relationships or divorce and separation as well as losing one’s work can cause adjustment disorder. In some cases, shifting from one job to another can also cause adjustment disorder.
Treatment
Adjustment disorder is temporary and usually the affected person heals slowly with time. There is no specific medical treatment recommended for this condition.
This type of psychological disorder usually attacks someone who finds it difficult to cope with new conditions or some kind of stressful situation which the body is not used to. The person is in fact unable to adjust to the prevailing situation. Individuals who suffer from adjustment disorders often portray similar symptoms to that of depression.
References
Barlow, H.D. (2008). Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: a step-by-step treatment manual, New York: Guilford Press.
Brad, J.W. (2000). The Pastor’s Guide to Psychological Disorders and Treatments, New York: Haworth Press.
Harvey, G.A., Watkins E. and Mansell, W. (2004). Cognitive behavioural processes across psychological disorders: a Transdiagonostic Approach to Research and Treatment. New York: Oxford University Press.
Hollandsworth, G.J. (1990). The physiology of psychological disorders: schizophrenia, depression. New York: Plenum Press.