Mental Health

Everyone loses their appetite now and then. Having a cold or flu, feeling stressed, bored, lonely or depressed, or getting run down can all cause a temporary reduction in how much you eat. However, if this goes on for a…
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Breathing correctly can help alleviate the negative impact stress has on the body, researchers at the University of South Florida say. It is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can help prepare the body for external stresses. The American…
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Ritalin, known generically as Methylphenidate, is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Ritalin also treats symptoms of narcolepsy, a sleep disorder associated with uncontrollable and sudden episodes of falling into a deep sleep.The National…
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Dilantin (phenytoin sodium) is an antiepileptic (anti-seizure) drug used in the treatment of grand mal and temporal lobe seizures. Dilantin is available in an oral suspension or pill form. If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, you should…
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Overview In the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2000), the number 300.21 is the code for Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. Both panic disorders and agoraphobia are anxiety disorders. While panic disorders are characterized by recurrent…
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1. Take Anti-Psychotics to Treat Mania Anti-psychotics are used to treat episodes of severe mania in bipolar disorder. Manic episodes can veer out of control quickly, and may produce symptoms of psychosis. An anti-psychotic drug may be prescribed for long-term…
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Overview When you suffer from anxiety, you may have uncomfortable feelings that often include tension and excessive worry. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) says generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) causes symptoms severe enough to disrupt your normal day to…
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There are several paper-and-pencil or computer assessments used often for depression and many less well-known or particularized assessments. These assessment instruments must be interpreted by mental health professionals familiar with the scoring, norms and meanings assigned to the results. Assessments…
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Insomnia is a disorder characterized by having trouble falling or staying asleep. Insomnia sufferers may get some sleep at night, but they awaken feeling unrefreshed. Prolonged lack of sleep can drain your energy and affect your mood, ultimately affecting your…
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Fluoxetine hydrochloride is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, eating disorders and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Fluoxetine affects multiple body systems and has the potential to cause serious side effects. It can take anywhere from five…
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Phobia refers to an overwhelming fear of a certain object or situation. In fact, a fear of flying is classified as a specific phobia. Symptoms associated with this phobia include anxiety, fear, sweating, trouble breathing and a rapid heartbeat, the…
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1. Learn How to Eat Again Start eating again. Work with a nutritionist, doctor or counselor to develop a plan for putting weight back on. The process may be rocky at first, but you and your health care professional can…
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Generalized anxiety disorder refers to a psychiatric condition in which people develop such symptoms as constant worrying, fatigue, restlessness, trouble sleeping, sweating, diarrhea and nausea. In some instances, people can develop shortness of breath, irritability and fatigue. Generalized anxiety drugs…
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Overview Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, MD, the first scientist to describe seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and pioneer of the light box treatment for it, is among the twenty-eight million Americans that suffer from the illness. In his 2006 book “Winter…
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Most people occasionally experience mood swings. For individuals that have bipolar disorder blistering highs and severe depressions can impair their lives and even lead to suicide. People who suffer from bipolar disorder need support and effective treatment to manage their…
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The Stanford School of Medicine reports that bipolar disorders affect about 2.2 million Americans as of 2010. The average age at onset is about 20 years old for both males and females alike. The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental…
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Plenty of psychological assessment tests evaluate the thoughts, characteristics and abilities of an individual. The majority of psychological tests have been developed by renowned psychologists and fall into a broad range of categories to evaluate achievement and aptitude, intelligence, personality,…
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Overview A July 23, 2009, “USA Today” article reports that nearly 30 percent of Americans experience sleeping issues. Insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or maintain a quality sleep, affects most Americans at some point in their lives, especially…
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Dangerously low body weight can lead to an array of potentially serious complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a body mass index that falls below 18.5 is considered underweight by medical standards. If you experience low…
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When faced with a perceived threat, your body undergoes biochemical changes that trigger feelings of anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety include, but are not limited to, restlessness, obsessive thoughts, trembling, difficulty breathing, sweating, faintness and muscle tension. The Gale Encyclopedia…
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Depression is a mental disorder that affects the mind and the body. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), the symptoms of depression that affect the body include changes in sleep, fatigue, changes in appetite, agitation,…
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Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) is a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. This medication belongs to the class non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and works by altering chemical signals that are related to pain and inflammation,…
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Symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, issues eating and sleeping, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide, and fatigue. Therapists help their clients cope with depression by teaching them relaxation techniques, ways to handle stress, the importance of healthy…
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Overview People hope they can always rely on their mothers for love and protection. Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that not all mother-daughter relationships are healthy. It can be very difficult to overcome an abusive relationship with your…
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Having effective people skills includes the ability to communicate effectively, using listening skills and reading body language, and the capacity to assert yourself in social situations. Cultivating a positive attitude can not only help others to feel more comfortable in…
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Emotional freedom techniques, or EFT, are a form of touching developed by Gary Craig, a Stanford University engineer graduate and ordained minister. The premise of the techniques is based on tapping meridian points in the body with fingertips to reduce…
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A panic disorder refers to repeated and sudden attacks of fear. MedlinePlus indicates that these attacks can last for minutes to hours. Signs of a panic attack include nausea, stomach problems, sweating, shortness of breath and dizziness. In some instances,…
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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th ed., Text Revision, or DSM-IV, contains several categories of depression disorders and their diagnostic criteria, intended as guidelines for clinicians. According to “Synopsis of Psychiatry”, the most common depressive disorder is major depressive disorder…
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Panic attacks are sudden, unexpected episodes of fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as racing heart, shallow breathing, sweating and dizziness. Since panic attacks result from the body’s misguided preparation to fight for survival or flee for safety, you can…
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Bipolar I and II disorders are distinguished from other mood disorders because they are marked by both major depressive and manic or similar extreme mood states that occur in cycles. Bipolar disorders may be diagnosed under six sets of criteria….
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