Diagnosis of mental disorders

Early recognition of mental disorders is difficult because of the diversity of manifestations and the presence of common symptoms in different diagnoses. Standard tests and questionnaires are used for preliminary diagnosis and screening of mental disorders in adults and adolescents, while projective techniques are used with children.

Differential diagnosis of psychiatric disorders is carried out in the course of pathopsychological examination: the nature, strength and frequency of symptoms are specified, neurophysiological tests are carried out to detect organic brain dysfunction. To exclude somatic pathology may require hardware and laboratory tests – MRI of the brain, ECG, tests for basic biochemical indicators and hormone levels.

Treatment of mental disorders

Effective treatment of mental disorders is based on a combination of medication, physiotherapy and psychotherapy; regular sessions with a psychotherapist are sufficient for moderate neurotic reactions. Psychotherapeutic methods of treating mental disorders are aimed at reducing stress and discomfort, smoothing out character accentuations and improving social functioning.

Highly effective is the cognitive-behavioral method, which is based on identifying and overcoming destructive attitudes, resolving internal conflicts and developing constructive behavioral strategies. Art therapy, psychodrama and Gestalt therapy techniques are used to work with unconscious emotions and experiences; group psychotherapy is indicated for communication problems.

If symptoms indicate the development of psychosis, lead to obvious maladaptation or cause severe discomfort to the patient, medication correction is indicated. Depending on the clinical picture of the disorder and the patient’s state of health, the scheme includes tranquilizers, sedatives, neuroleptics, antidepressants, vitamins, nootropics and adaptogens.

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Mental disorders are not like appendicitis, which can be taken out once and forgotten about forever.

That is, there is no 100 percent guarantee that when you are cured of a mental disorder, it won’t reappear. It depends not only on the quality of treatment, but also on a large number of other factors.

In addition, there are some mental disorders that require lifelong medication, such as schizophrenia. There are also times when some disorders require repeated courses of treatment, like panic disorder.

Some mental disorders may recur in some people, and some people may never face their problem again. This is what happens with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or acute transient psychosis.

Imagine that our mental health and the problems associated with it are a continuum (a segment), and we move along it over the course of our lives in different directions – from mental wellbeing to mental health problems and vice versa.

That is, anyone can develop a mental disorder at any time, but this will be influenced by a number of factors.

Factors affecting the human psyche:

• experiences from childhood;
• presence or absence of experience of traumatic events;
• lifestyle – physical activity, sleep, nutrition;
• social ties and environment;
• stress and the ability to cope with it;
• genetic predisposition;
• environment;
• substance use;
• certain infections and somatic diseases.

If it is not possible to cope independently – it is necessary to turn to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

However, it is important not to forget that the treatment of mental illness depends not only on doctors, but also on patients and their desire to work on themselves.

You can reduce the risks of developing disorders, but, unfortunately, you can’t avoid their occurrence.

Especially difficult is living traumatic situations, and even one recklessly chosen word can destroy the entire inner world of a person. Therefore, read how to communicate tolerantly in times of war and not to harm yourself or others.

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As a rule, a depressive state is a reaction to a long-term traumatic situation, life crises, conflicts with others, problems in school, work or family life. The danger of depression is that it manifests itself in the form of disorders in the following areas:

• cognitive activity. Sluggishness of thinking, memory impairment, problems with concentration, difficulty remembering new information and other manifestations;
• behavioral changes. Narrowing of the circle of communication, suicidal actions, general passivity, unwillingness to participate in collective activities;
• physiologic activity. Sleep disorders, loss of appetite, problems with libido, digestive tract dysfunction;
• emotional reactions. Decreased self-esteem, inability to rejoice and experience other positive emotions, anxiety, self-injury, despair.

Only an experienced doctor, after collecting anamnesis and test results can diagnose depression. However, you can make a preliminary conclusion about whether you have depression by taking an online test directly on our website.

Leave the above symptoms without attention should not be ignored – it is necessary to seek qualified help, because depression, especially in a severe stage, very rarely goes away by itself.

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Such help may be needed at any age. Five out of a hundred teenagers and children are familiar with this condition. With age, the number of those who are ill also increases among young people – such from 15 to 40%. Among adults, depressive disorders occur in one in ten people, with women twice as likely to experience this disorder. In older adults, about 30% of people have ever been depressed.

Depression as an illness can take many forms.

Depressive episode
This is the most common form of the disorder. Its duration is from two weeks to a year. If such a disorder is recorded only once, it is called unipolar. About 33% of patients experience this condition only once in their life. As a rule, depressive disorder is accompanied by a decrease in performance. Lack of treatment can lead to relapse.

Intermittent depressive disorder
Characterized by recurring episodes. Also called recurrent and classic or clinical depression. Usually first recorded in childhood or adolescence. Lasts from a few months to several years. Phases of the disease alternate with remission. Seriously affects performance and requires referral to a child psychologist in the early stages of the disease.

Dysthymia
Lasts from two years to decades. Although less severe than recurrent disorder, symptoms last longer. Dysthymia is also called chronic depression. The transition of this type into a severe form is referred to as double depression.

Type I bipolar depression
Characterized by alternating phases of illness, remission and manic phases. This disorder also has the name manic-depressive psychosis. When the patient experiences the last phase, he is characterized by hyperactivity combined with good mood, but also with anxiety and insomnia. The patient loses the ability to think critically. As a result, there are problems with finances, risk of casual sexual relations. After this phase, the patient falls into depression. This is bipolar disorder.

Type II bipolar depression
Similar to depressive episodes. There are also phase changes, but without excessive mood elevation. During remission, there is an illusion of recovery.

Depressive psychotic episode
In this disorder, hallucinations, delusions are observed. Such patients in most cases require hospitalization.

Atypical depression
A mild type of depression, accompanied by drowsiness and immoderate eating, abrupt mood changes, hypersensitivity, a tendency to panic attacks.

Seasonal depressive disorders
Marked most often in the fall or winter. When the season changes, they go away.

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