Psychiatry

What is Psychiatry?

It is the medical stream that is directed towards the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Such divisions include maladaptation which stands for behaviour, mood, cognition and perception.

What spectrum of health problems are addressed?

Psychiatry deals with mental disorders and imbalance. The assessment typically involves case study and mental status examinations to identify the root cause. In simple terms, Psychiatry mainly addresses the spectrum of mental health that treats and prevents mental, emotional and behavioural disorders and psychological problems.

Which are the most common symptoms?

Some of the common symptoms of mental illness include –

Problems with alcohol or drug use , Feeling sad or down , Withdrawal from friends and activities , Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations , Trouble understanding and relating to situations and people , Excessive anger, hostility or violence , Extreme mood changes of highs and lows ,Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping , Inability to cope with daily problems or stress , Sex drive changes , Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt , Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate , Major changes in eating habits , Suicidal thinking.

Who is more predisposed to such conditions?

Gender –

Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be a victim of anxiety and depression than men. This may be due to several common factors such as income inequality, socioeconomic disadvantages, low social ranking, gender-based violence, and unrelenting child care.

Age –

Studies states, mental disorders begin by the mid-teens and three-fourths by the mid-twenty. Also, the first onset of mental imbalance occurs in childhood if there has been an environmental exposure before birth. However, there is a lack of treatment until certain years.

Lifestyle -

Stress, anxiety and imbalanced lifestyle can lead to mental disorders.

Inherited traits –

People having blood relatives with individuals suffering from mental conditions are prone to be at a higher risk of such disorders.

Pre-existing disorders –

Trauma or disabilities can at times lead to mental demotivation and disorders.

Environmental stress –

Loneliness, social bullying and such other environmental stress can lead to mental and behavioural issues.

Additional complications due to COVID-19

Stress, lockdown and the atmosphere of fear amidst the COVID-19 era can harm the mental health leading to disorders and imbalance.