Despite extensive research on the treatment of mental disorders in various populations, unfortunately, the disgrace attached to mental issues means that many victims are not coming forward to take the proper scientific treatment. On the other hand, the patients are becoming prey to unqualified, self-styled psychoanalysts and are becoming sicker and mentally hostile. Therefore, in the series, the other common psychiatric disorders and their management is being deliberated in this issue.
The prevalence of PTSD and other mental disorders is high in conflict-affected settings. PTSD may develop following exposure to an extremely threatening or horrific event or series of events. It is characterized by many re-experiencing the traumatic event or events in the present intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares, avoidance of thoughts and memories of the event(s), or avoidance of activities, situations, or people reminiscent of the event(s) and persistent perceptions of heightened current threat. These symptoms persist for at least several weeks and cause significant impairment in the functioning of understanding. There is effective psychological treatment that exists to properly manage post-traumatic stress disorders.
Schizophrenia
The history of schizophrenia, formally recognized as “dementia praecox” by Emil Kraepelin in the late 19th century, evolved from early descriptions of psychosis to the term “schizophrenia,” coined by Eugen Bleuler in 1911, emphasizing the “splitting” of mental functions. Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people worldwide. People with schizophrenia have a life expectancy 10-20 years below that of the general population. Schizophrenia is characterized by significant impairments in perception and changes in behavior. Symptoms may include persistent delusions that are nothing but fixed, false beliefs that are held with strong conviction, and hallucinations, which are sensory perceptions that occur in the absence of an external stimulus, perceived such as sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch that isn’t present but feels as real. Also, disorganized thinking, highly confused behavior, or extreme agitation. People with schizophrenia may experience persistent difficulties with their cognitive functioning. Yet, a range of effective treatment options exist, including medication, psych education, family interventions, and psychosocial rehabilitation, besides highly tangible treatment.
Other Therapies
“Shock treatment” for mental illness, more accurately known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is a medical procedure that uses a small electrical current to induce a brief seizure in the brain, often used to treat severe mental health conditions like depression and mania when other treatments have failed. For some Schizophrenia patients, ECT can reduce the chances of relapse as long as follow-up treatments or undertaken. In one study, 77% of people with schizophrenia responded favorably to ECT. Before an ECT treatment, patients are administered a general anesthetic and a muscle relaxant to prevent them from moving during the procedure. Regrettably, in many films, this ECT is being misused by directors, applying it to comedians, and indirectly, its importance in medical management of mental illness is being belittled.
Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a mental disorder defined by abnormal eating behaviors that adversely affect a person’s physical or mental health. These behaviors may include eating either too much or too little. In 2019, 14 million people experienced eating disorders, including almost 3 million children and adolescents. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, involve abnormal eating and preoccupation with food as well as prominent body weight and shape concerns. The symptoms or behaviors result in significant risk or damage to health, significant distress, or significant impairment of functioning. Anorexia nervosa often has its onset during adolescence or early adulthood and is associated with premature death due to medical complications or suicide. Individuals with bulimia nervosa are at a significantly increased risk for substance use, suicidality, and health complications. Effective treatment options exist, including family-based treatment and cognitive-based therapy.
Disruptive behavior disorders
Disruptive behaviour disorder (DBD) represents a group of mental health conditions with similar symptoms, referred to as disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), this group of conditions is noteworthy because they all involve violating the rights and desires of other people and create significant conflict with authority figures and unhealthy functioning in society. This affects an individual’s ability to control emotions and behaviours.
40 million people, including children and adolescents, were living with conduct-dissocial disorder in 2019. This disorder, also known as conduct disorder, is one of two disruptive behavior and dissocial disorders; the other is oppositional defiant disorder. Disruptive behavior and dissocial disorders are characterized by persistent behavior problems such as persistently defiant or disobedient to behavior that persistently violate the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms, rules, or laws. Onset of disruptive and dissocial disorders, is commonly, though not always, occurs during childhood. Effective psychological treatments exist, often involving parents, caregivers, and teachers, cognitive problem-solving, or social skills training.
Neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders are behavioral and cognitive disorders that arise during the developmental period and involve significant difficulties in the acquisition and execution of specific intellectual, motor, language, or social functions. Neurodevelopmental disorders include disorders of intellectual development, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), amongst others. ADHD is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. Disorders of intellectual development are characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which refers to difficulties with everyday conceptual, social, and practical skills that are performed in daily life. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) constitutes a diverse group of conditions characterized by some degree of difficulty with social communication and reciprocal social interaction, as well as persistent restricted, repetitive, and inflexible patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Effective treatment options exist, including psychosocial interventions, behavioral interventions, and occupational and speech therapy. For certain diagnoses and age groups, medication may also be considered.
Risk of developing a mental disorder
At any one time, a diverse set of individual, family, community, and structural factors may combine to protect or undermine mental health. Although most people are resilient, people who are exposed to adverse circumstances – including poverty, violence, disability, and inequality – are at higher risk. Protective and risk factors include individual psychological and biological factors, such as emotional skills as well as genetics. Many of the risk and protective factors are influenced through changes in brain structure and/or function.
Health systems and social support
Health systems have not yet adequately responded to the needs of people with mental disorders and are significantly under-resourced. The gap between the need for treatment and its provision is wide all over the world and is often poor in quality when delivered. For example, only 29% of people with psychosis and only one-third of people with depression receive formal mental health care. People with mental disorders also require social support, including support in developing and maintaining personal, family, and social relationships. They also need support for educational programs, employment, housing, and participation in other meaningful activities.