Mental illness comes in a variety of forms accompanied by
a number of related
symptoms. To learn more about some of these illnesses, including,
types, causes, symptoms and treatments, the staff of UT
Harris County Psychiatric Center put together a comprehensive,
alphabetized list, shown below. For more information, simply
scroll down and click on the appropriate illness description.
The mental illness' descriptions included in this list are
for informative purposes only. For a qualified, professional
diagnosis, please contact UTHCPC to schedule an appointment
with one of our specialists.
A
• B
• C
• D
• E •
L • M
• O
• P •
S •
T
Alzheimers
Disease
One
of the most disabling afflictions among older people is
Alzheimers disease. It is estimated that one in 20 adults
over 65 and one in five adults over 80 suffer from the disease
today.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental
illnesses, and they are also the most treatable. Unfortunately,
only about one quarter of the victims ever seek treatment.
Bipolar
Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as Manic-depressive
disorder, is a serious, chronic mental disorder. It is estimated
that one in 100 people suffer from manic-depression and
it generally strikes before 35 years of age.
Childhood
Disorders
When children develop mental or emotional disorders,
parents often blame themselves, but childhood disorders
are likely caused by a combination of many factors. Often
these conditions can be treated effectively, allowing our
children to grow into happy, productive adults.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common of all mental illnesses.
It can appear at any age, and one in five women and one
in 10 men will experience depression sometime in their lives.
Almost 90 percent of those who suffer from depression can
be effectively treated.
Depression, Late-Life
Depression is common among the elderly. In fact, more than
20 percent of those over the age of 65 suffer from some
degree of depression. An additional 10 percent of the elderly
diagnosed with dementia may actually be suffering from depression.
Eating
Disorders
Eating disorders are psychological illnesses born from the
desire to achieve the "ideal figure." The majority
of those afflicted with eating disorders are adolescent
and young adult women.
Manic-depressive
Disorder
see Bipolar Disorder
Mental
Illnesses
Mental illnesses are some of the most misunderstood afflictions
in today's society. Too many people think of mental illness
as a "weakness." Nothing could be further from
the truth. These are true illnesses and brain diseases.
Mental Health, Late-Life
Having sound mental health as an adult does not make a person
immune from psychiatric problems later in life. Elderly
individuals can also suffer from mental illness, but proper
treatment and care can reduce or eliminate the symptoms,
returning people to functioning, happier lives.
Mood Disorders
Feelings of sadness and discouragement are normal emotional
reactions to difficult situations. But when these feelings
last more than a few weeks, or get so bad that they take
control of a person's life, it could be a sign of a mood
disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder afflicts millions of Americans
and can strike at any age. Treatment is available, and advances
in medications and therapies have successfully returned
many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder to productive,
satisfying lives.
Panic
Disorder
Panic disorder, one in the family of anxiety disorders,
is different from normal anxiety. While other anxiety disorders
cause ongoing feelings of fear of impending doom, panic
disorder is marked by sudden, unexpected attacks of intense
terror.
Phobias
Fear is a natural reaction to danger. But when your fears
are so great that they disrupt your daily life, you probably
suffer from a phobia. Phobias are among the most common
of all mental illnesses, and they are usually the most successfully
treated.
Physical
Fitness & Mental Health
Physical fitness involves much more than having the body
of a fashion model. True physical fitness is a state of
overall well-being and a measure of one's ability to perform
normal physical activity. When you're physically healthy,
you are more likely to be mentally healthy as well.
Schizophrenia
Much less common than other chronic diseases, schizophrenia
occurs in around 150 of every 100,000 people, or about one
to one and a half percent of the population, and usually
appears during adolescence or young adulthood.
Substance
Abuse
Substance abuse is the misuse of a mood-altering substance
and is one of the most common and costly problems in society
today. Just about everyone has or will be faced with making
decisions about substance use or abuse, however it touches
our lives. Education is the first and most critical step
toward making the right decision.
Suicide, Late Life
For many people, senior years are a time to enjoy life,
to travel, to do things they weren't able to before retirement.
They look back on their lives with satisfaction. But for
some others, growing older is a painful, difficult process.
Teen
Suicide
For many, teen years are some of the most difficult in life.
Our bodies go through changes; relationships become complex;
we begin to learn social roles; and more than ever we're
expected to grow up earlier. These changes and demands may
leave a teenager feeling helpless, confused and pessimistic
about the future.
Overview
