Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

 Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is common and chronic disorder in which an individual displays uncontrollable impulsive thoughts or obsessions about having to repeat a task or behavior multiple times (NIMH, 2020). Individuals could experience obsessions, compulsive thoughts or both happening at the same time. One example could be cleaning a dirty spot over and over again because it seems that it is unable to get clean enough. Another example could be taking multiple showers after touching something dirty as well. Individuals with this disorder can also develop a tic disorder, which is an uncontrollable or sudden brief moments of repetitive movements with the eyes and other parts of the body (NIMH, 2020). Some examples of this could include jerking of the shoulder, eye billing or twitching, facial grimacing and many others (NIMH, 2020).

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of this disorder can vary depending on if the individual is having obsessions or compulsive thoughts or both happening at the same time. 

Some signs could include having things in perfect order, checking locks or other things around the area or house or self diagnosing self with medical conditions. 

Individuals with obsessions may experience

- Fear of germs or contamination: Touching something the individual deems as dirty

- Having forbidden or impulsive thoughts regarding different taboos related to sex, religious aspects, or harm

- Aggressive or angry thoughts about themselves or others

Individuals with compulsive thoughts

- Doing tasks in a specific order that is familiar to them a certain amount of times until it is idealized as good to them

- Having the urge to count things whether it be their steps or other things around them

- Having fear of touching public objects or physical contact with individuals.

Treatment of OCD

Some treatment options involve medications and varies forms of psychotherapy. It would be up to the licensed professional to find a treatment is suitable for the individual. Some forms of medication could be Clomipramine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, and Sertraline (Mayo Clinic, 2020). Some forms of psychotherapy could include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention. The two forms of psychotherapy are a little bit tied together (Mayo Clinic, 2020).

Population

Any individual can have OCD, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, "It currently affects approximately 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children in the U.S." (Anxiety and Depression Associate of America, 2020). This was interesting to read about because of how big the U.S. it was shocking to read about how many people are diagnosed with OCD.

References

Bhandari, S. (2020, September 04). OCD: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Related Conditions. Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). (2020, March 11). Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354438

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved November 30, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml

Borderline Personality Disorder

 

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is an illness that consists of various consist mood changes, self-image and behavior problems. This disorder causes individuals to think impulsively and creates a huge hurdle within relationships because of the actions that the individuals does. Individuals with this disorder are often plagued with intense emotions such as abandonment. According to Mayo Clinic, "Yet inappropriate anger, impulsiveness and frequent mood swings may push others away, even though you want to have loving and last relationships" (Mayo Clinic, 2019). Individuals with this disorder often have issues with maintaining healthy relationships because they often go through serious of mood swings that often leave their partners puzzled and may push them away. This disorder may be diagnosed in early adulthood, but may be discovered in early childhood with it progressing for the worse within them. Individuals with this disorder do have a chance of a normal life with proper treatment and management of the disorder.

Signs and Symptoms

• Intense fear of abandonment, evening going to extreme measures to avoid real or imagine separation or rejection (Mayo Clinic, 2019).
• Having an ongoing pattern of unstable relationships by displaying a negative image of their partner and misbelieving their intentions.
• Various changes in self-identity and self-image; shifting of goals and values and idealizing your self in a negative life as if you are not there.
• Impulsive and risky behavior such as drunk driving, not practicing safe sex, spending sprees, binge eating and drug usage or sabotaging the self by ending a good job or a good relationship without no necessary cause
• Suicidal threats or self-injury due to fear of separation or rejection
• Widespread of mood swings lasting from hours to days including intensified emotions of the individual such as happiness, irritation, anxiety, etc.
• Feeling of emptiness over a long period of time
• Intense anger at inappropriate times

Treatment

One treatment option for borderline personality disorder include talking with a professional about the way the individual has been thinking and also taking tests as well. According to NIMH, "Borderline personality disorder has historically been viewed as difficult to treat... But, with newer, evidence-based treatment, many people with the disorder experience fewer or less severe symptoms, and an improved quality of life" (NIMH, 2020). It seems as if taking with a licensed professional or counselor are good treatments options for this disorder because individuals with this disorder are about to discuss how they have been feeling and are diagnosed. National Institute of Mental Health also points out, "Completing a thorough interview, including a discussion about the symptoms, Performing a careful and thorough medical exam, which can help rule out other possible causes of symptoms and Asking about family medical histories, including any history of mental illness" would be some ways on how professions would help diagnose this disorder (NIMH, 2020). With further research, I was able to find out that some individuals also undergo psychotherapy as a treatment options and medications are not the front line treatment option for individuals with this disorder.

Population

According to Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics, "In the United States, recent research has shown that 1.6% of the population has BPD... That number may seem small, but when you consider just how large the United States is, you may realize that 1.6% represents quite a large number of people" (Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics, 2020). By gender, women are far more likely to be diagnosed with BPD than men with 75% of women being diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics, 2020). There is not much research on why women are diagnosed more with this disorder, however men with this disorder may have a higher chance of being misdiagnosed with other disorders than with this order (Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics, 2020). It was very interesting learning about the gender differences in diagnosing this disorder within men and women.

References

Borderline personality disorder. (2019, July 17). Retrieved November 08, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237

Borderline Personality Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved November 08, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorder/index.shtml

Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, P. (2020, January 21). Striking Statistics About Borderline Personality Disorder in the U.S. Retrieved November 08, 2020, from https://www.verywellmind.com/borderline-personality-disorder-statistics-425481

Picture: https://www.dummies.com/health/mental-health/borderline-personality-disorder-for-dummies-cheat-sheet/

Eating Disorder

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal illness that individuals go through when their eating habits becomes disturb and take on an unhealthy fashion. Preliminary behavioral history with food, body weight or shape could play roles in how eating disorders are developed. The associated eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

Anorexia nervosa: Individuals with this eating disorder perceive themselves as being overweight, often they are underweight avoiding eating certain food essential to the body. They also use calorie restriction which could affect the body in it not getting enough nutrients to sustain a healthy weight. Anorexia could be characterized into two categories restriction and purging types. According to Healthline, “Anorexia can be very damaging to the body…Over time, individuals living with it may experience thinning of their bones, infertility, brittle hair and nails, and the growth of a layer of fine hair all over their body” (Healthline, 2019). It could also affect major organs within the body as well. This eating disorder can develop from adolescence to young adulthood.

Bulimia nervosa: Individuals with this eating disorder eats abnormally large amounts of food in such a window of time, sometimes eating until they’re stomach aches. They then purge their food to account for the amounts of calories that they consumed during their initial binge. Individuals with Bulimia nervosa are at risk for loss of major electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and calcium which cause strokes or heart attacks. 

Binge-Eating Disorder: This is the most common eating disorder especially within the United States. Individuals with this eating disorder may have similar experiences as those with anorexia nervosa or bulimia except for they experience lack of control impulses with their large volume of food intact. They can eat unusual large amounts of food with experiencing the purging or restricting their diets. Binge-eating disorder can typically be discovered during adolescence through adulthood and can also develop later on in life as well.

Signs and Symptoms:

Anorexia nervosa: 

·      Very restricted eating patterns

·      Being considered underweight or persistent behaviors that consist of avoiding foods that may cause weigh gain

·      Intense fear of gaining weight

·      Relentless pursuit of happiness and unwillingness to maintain a healthy weight

·      Distorted body image, including denial of being seriously underweight

Bulimia nervosa:

·      Recurrent episodes of binge eating with a feeling of lack of control

·      Recurrent episodes of inappropriate purging behaviors to prevent weight gain

·      A fear of gaining weight, despite having a normal weight

·      Inflamed or sore throat

·      Swollen salivary glands

·      Worn tooth enamel

Binge-Eating Disorder:

·      Eating large amounts of food rapidly, in secret and until uncomfortably full, despite not feeling hungry

·      Feeling a lack of control during episodes of binge eating

·      Feelings of distress, such as shame, disgust, or guilt, when thinking about the binge eating behavior

·      No use of purging behaviors, such as calorie restriction, vomiting, excessive exercise, or laxative or diuretic use, to compensate for the binging.

Treatment for Eating disorders:

Treatments for eating disorders is an assortment of treatment plans such as seeking help from a licensed professional or treatments centers your area. There are medication treatments that individuals can take alongside therapy with a professional they trust. Medications typically vary on the situation that the individual is in and the type of eating disorder that they are experiencing. Other options can include nutrition education that can individuals with their meal planning and safe calorie intake, hospital treatment programs for severe cases of eating disorders, residential treatment facilities for individuals who live within the facility and many more.

Population:

Anorexia Nervosa:

According to statistics and research on eating disorders, “0.3%-0.4% of young women and 0.1% of young men will suffer from anorexia nervosa” (NEDA, 2018). The article also mentions, “Males represent 25% of individuals with anorexia nervosa, and they are at a higher risk of dying, in part because they are often diagnosed later since many people assume males don’t have eating disorders” (NEDA, 2018). This was interesting to learn about because the results for men and women and eating disorders was never really known to me, so it was interesting learning about it.

Bulimia Nervosa:

According to NEDA, “At any given point in time, 1.0% of young men and 0.1% of young men will meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa” (NEDA, 2018). This was really interesting to learn about because I never knew how many men and women suffered from Bulimia in the united states. 

Binge-eating disorder:

According to NEDA, “A 2007 study asked 9,282 English-speaking Americans about a variety of mental health conditions, including eating disorders… The results, published in Biological Psychiatry, found that 3.5% of women and 2.0% of men have binge eating disorder during their life” (NEDA, 2018). This was interesting to learn about because It was interesting that they grabbed that information from just one study done in the sample.

References:

·      Eating Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml

·      Eating disorder treatment: Know your options. (2017, July 14). Retrieved October 19,      2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eating-disorders/in-           depth/eating-disorder-treatment/art-20046234

·      (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2020, from       https://www.citationmachine.net/bibliographies/149b0b8e-ce87-4a35-b570- 5c841cce427b

·      Petre, A. (2019, October 30). Learn about 6 common types of eating disorders and their    symptoms. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from             https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/common-eating-disorders

Anxiety Disorder

 What is Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a disorder that many people face on a daily basis. Many individuals with anxiety disorder there might be a worry or concern over things that are out of their control. According to National Institute of Mental Health, “For a person with anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse overtime” (NIH, Pg. 1, 2020). People with an anxiety disorder have to go through daily struggles of not getting their fear and concern affect them and their daily activities. 

However, Individuals can have anxiety with small projects, or fear of a test. According to to National Institute of Mental Health, “ You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision” (NIH, Pg.1, 2020). Anxiety can play in many forms of an individuals life, they can be anxious during a test, or doing something big for themselves and are worried about the outcome. There are also several different stages of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic border, and various phobia-related disorders.

Signs and Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms are broken down into the following anxiety described disorders described below:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

Individuals with this disorder excessive anxiety or way that may prolong for 6 months about anything and everything going on with their personal life. This disorder can interfere with daily functions such as work, school, and many other things. The signs and symptoms of the following disorder are listed below; the individual may experience:

- Feeling restless, wound-up and on edge

-Being easily fatigued

Having difficulty concentrating or having your mind go blank

-Being irritable

Panic Disorder:

Panic disorders can happened through recurrent episodes that individuals may experience throughout their life. Intense situations or fear can trigger a panic disorder and cause the individual to go into a panic attack. The following signs and symptoms for panic disorders are listed below; the individual may experience:

- Heart palpitations

- Sweating

- Trembling or shaking

- Feeling shortness of breath or a smothering sensation

Phobia-Related Disorders

Phobia-Related disorders are related to a intense fear of a certain object or thing. For example an individual with an intense fear of spiders may have a phobia related disorder called a Arachnophobia which is fear of spiders or anything related to the organism. However, there are other phobia-related disorders based off average objects or things such as flying, social gatherings, heights, etc. The signs and symptoms of Phobia-related disorders could be similar to the signs and symptoms of the other disorders that were listed above. 

Treatment:

Depending on the anxiety disorder would depend on the two treatments. The two treatments that are recommended for treating anxiety disorders are psychological therapy and pharmacotherapy or both can used if necessary. According to "Treatment of anxiety disorders" article, "Anxiety disorders should be treated with psychological therapy, pharmacotherapy, or a combination of both... Cognitive behavioral therapy can be regarded with the highest level of evidence" (Bandelow et al., Pg.1, 2017). Using therapy options can help individuals with their anxiety levels and help them maintain and manage their anxiety.

Population: 

Anxiety disorders nearly affects everyone and among every age group. According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America, "GAD affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment" (Anxiety and Depression, Pg. 1, 2020). The article also points out, "Women are twice as likely to be affected as men" (Anxiety and Depression, Pg.1, 2020). This was interesting to learn because with generalized anxiety disorder, I always thought that men and women were on the equal field as far as the disorders went. The article also mentions, "PD affects 6 million adults, or 2.7% of the U.S. population... When are twice as likely to be affected as men" (Anxiety and Depression, Pg.1, 2020). 

I learned a lot about anxiety disorders especially since I have anxiety as well as panic disorder and have had it for years, it was really informal to me to learn about the different forms of anxiety and how it affect individuals as well.

References:

Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml. 

Bandelow, B., Michaelis, S., & Wedekind, D. (2017, June). Treatment of anxiety disorders. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573566/. 

Facts & Statistics. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA. https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics. 

Picture: https://food.ndtv.com/health/anxiety-related-spectrum-disorder-identified-780142

Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Illness or Manic Depression)

 Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Illness or Manic Depression)

What is Bipolar Disorder?

            Mental health disorder that is characterize by unusual shifts in mood swings, energy, activity levels, concentration and the ability to carry out day-day tasks (NIH, Pg. 1, 2020). It is broken down into three different categories Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia) and they are often characterized by the effects that it has on the individual and their moods. Bipolar I Disorder is defined by manic episodes that last 7 days and some episodes could become so severe that the individual may need hospital intervention. Depressive episodes also make up this type of bipolar disorder and could last up to 2 weeks. Bipolar II Disorder is characterized by a mix of depressive and manic episodes that are similar to those of Bipolar I Disorder but are different in the aspect that they are not severe and are not full in their nature. Lastly, Cyclothymic Disorder is another type of Bipolar disorder because it is characterized by hypomanic symptoms that are most prevalent in children and adolescents because it could last for at least 2 years. However, the symptoms of this type of disorder are different because they don’t meet medical requirements as hypomanic or depressive episode (NIH, Pg. 1, 2020).

Individuals with bipolar disorders are typically diagnosed in their late adolescence or early adulthood. Symptoms of the disorder can appear as early in the woman during pregnancy or childbirth and in their early childhood (NIH, Pg. 2, 2020).

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Symptoms are broken down based upon if they are having a manic or depressive episode. Individuals experiencing a manic episode may “feel very high, elated or irritable or touchy” or could also report having a “decreased need for sleep” and have a “loss of appetite” (NIH, Pg. 2, 2020). Individuals experiencing a depressive episode may report feeling “very say, down, empty, worried, or hopeless” or report having “trouble falling asleep, wake up too early, or sleep too much” (NIH, Pg. 2, 2020).

Individuals can still have bipolar disorder even if they are not experiencing little or no symptoms at all, taking with a licensed specialist could help diagnose the disorder and get the individual started on treatment.

Treatment

Treatment options may include Medications, Continued treatment, Day treatment programs, Substance abuse treatment, Hospitalization (Mayo Clinic, Pg.2, 2018).

Medications: Will help with balancing out the individual’s moods; would need to be taken often

Continued Treatment: Continues on with their treatment medication to make sure that they won’t experience a relapse. Skipping a treatment could make the individual’s risk of having a relapse in their moods much higher than those who are consistent with their treatments.

Day Treatment Programs: With recommendation from their primary doctor; these programs are designed to offer support and counseling to the individual if they need it.

Substance Abuse Treatment: For individuals also suffering from drug and alcohol problems along side of their bipolar disorder. This treatment will help the individual better cope with their treatments because without it, it may be hard for the individual to manage their bipolar disorder.

Hospitalization: This is needed for severe cases and if their doctors sees that they may be a danger to themselves or to others. Receiving psychiatric treatment at the hospital will help the individual remain calm, safe and help them manage their moods for when they experience a manic or depressive episode.

There are different medications that the individual can take such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antidepressant-antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications (Mayo Clinic Pg. 3, 2018).

For children and teenagers’ experiencing bipolar disorder there are treatments for them such as medications, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and support “(Mayo Clinic, Pg. 3, 2020). Licensed professionals and doctors could help individuals struggling with bipolar disorder find their treatments based on their need and severity of the disorder.

Population:

According to Bipolar Statistics, “Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year” (Bipolar Disorder Statistics, Pg. 1, 2019). The article also points out that, “Women and people with bipolar II disorder are significantly more likely to experience periods of rapid cycling than me with the same condition” (Bipolar Statistics, Pg. 1, 2019). Bipolar disorder could affect anyone, going to your doctor and getting the treatment that you need is what is most important for individuals with bipolar disorder.

Reference:

Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved September 07, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

Bipolar disorder. (2018, January 31). Retrieved September 07, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355961

Bipolar Disorder Statistics. (2019, July 12). Retrieved September 07, 2020, from https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-disorder-statistics/