To talk about a mental disorder, it is important to understand what is being referred to, what treatment exists, how to identify it, among other specific information.
What is a mental disorder?
Is a alteration in mental health that influences emotions, thoughts and behaviors in a significant way, that is, they represent to the individual a series of consequences in all areas of adjustment (personal, family, spiritual/religious, emotional/sexual).
When can a mental health disorder be detected or predicted?
When a reduction in the person’s ability to functionFor example, there is the presence of isolation, socially inappropriate behaviors, absence of self-care, difficulty in intra- and interpersonal relationships, etc.
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What causes it?
There is no single cause that generates them, we are talking about a biopsychosocial model where our genetics, the way we interpret the world and the social context, where we develop, can influence its appearance.
What is the difference between a mental disorder and a mental illness?
Conceptually, they are synonyms. The difference is in the approach; the term disorderin addition to being the technical word that psychologists use, It is part of a model that does not seek to pigeonhole or determine the mental health of an individual and is intended to refer to an alteration or imbalance in mental health, while the term diseasethat is, being “mentally ill”, can be understood as a pejorative term, something contagious, dangerousetc.
How many exist?
There are different types of mental disorders; These have been studied and categorized in specialized diagnostic manuals. Beyond knowing a total number, as it can change over time and advances in research, it is important to understand what characterizes mental health disorders.
Some examples of mental disorders are: anxiety disordersdisorders of mood (such as depression), Eating Disorders, the disorders of bipolar affectdisorders of substance usedisorders psychotic and the schizophreniaand disorders of neurodevelopment like autismamong others.
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How to identify risk factors?
There are some factors that can give us clues:
- Family history with a mental disorder or suicide attempt.
- Low mood frequent and sustained over time.
- History of sexual abuse.
- Difficulty in social relationships.
- Consumption of psychoactive substances.
- Cutting.
Does it have a cure?
We don’t talk about cure, we talk about treatment or management of mental disorders. That is, with adequate psychological intervention, and interdisciplinary management with psychiatry (if necessary), the person can learn tools and strategies to cope with the symptoms, and thus, achieve, over time, a minor impact on the development of their life. However, it is necessary to evaluate each case individually since, although there are people who manage to minimize the disorder, there are others who may witness relapses, crises, recurrences, etc.
There are some neurological disorders, which are degenerative (dementia), where the deterioration can be managed and its appearance delayed. Also, there are some psychotic disorders that, without proper pharmacological management, can have a difficult prognosis.
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When is there a risk for your safety and that of others?
Generally these situations can be present in people who experience depression, anxiety, have a psychotic disorder or are under the effects of some psychoactive substance.
How important is the caregiver?
The caregivers or the closest environment of a person who has a mental disorder is essential for their support. It is important that are informed of the mental condition or disorder that their family member is experiencingtheir symptoms, manifestations, how they can contribute to care to, in this way, seek the subject’s quality of life.