LiveWellTalk - Overcoming Mental Health Challenges

Schizoaffective Disorder Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness characterized by a person having both a thought disorder and a mood disorder. The thought disorder has symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia , such as delusions and hallucinations. The mood disorder can be either bipolar or depression . According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual,  psychotic symptoms must be present for at least two weeks without the presence of mood symptoms. Onset usually occurs in late teens or early adulthood. This disorder is a debilitating illness that can affect a person’s ability to work, his or her social interactions, and the overall quality of that person’s life. It can significantly decrease a person’s ability to function in the world at the level that he or she functioned before getting sick. Schizoaffective disorder is a life-long illness (for most people) with no known cure and therefore the prognosis is not great, though it is slightly better than that of schizophrenia...

Anxiety is a good thing when we are in a threatening or dangerous situation because it helps us respond appropriately. Other times anxiety can be a problem when it happens for no reason and is caused by irrational fears that just won't go away. People who have these irrational fears and a lot of anxiety for no reason have an anxiety disorder . In this article, we will discuss, in detail, the Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Treatment of different anxiety disorders . What are Anxiety Disorders? Anxiety disorders refer to a range of conditions characterized by excessive and persistent worry, fear, or anxiety. These disorders are more than just temporary feelings of stress or nervousness; they can interfere with one's ability to function and enjoy life. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, and different phobias. Some people experience these feelings so severely that it interferes with their ability to cope ...

Generalized Anxiety Disorder General anxiety disorder (GAD) is described as a repeated unrealistic fear that is much more intense than what is considered normal daily anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder is a relatively common problem, affecting nearly 1 in 20 people. Typically people who experience generalized anxiety disorder will be awash in all the “what ifs” in life that can hold them back from experiencing the good things in life. For people with GAD, it can feel like an endless cycle of worry and fear that only compounds itself by inaction which can cause more worry and fear. This anxiety and fear can lead to depression ultimately when people lose hope that their anxiety will ever be cured. As opposed to a regular  panic attack , generalized anxiety doesn’t necessarily cause people to skip out on their favorite activities. In fact, people with GAD don’t typically suffer from the regular panic attacks that can be so debilitating for many. GAD is more about an inability ...

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder , more commonly known as  OCD , is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder and is characterized by way of persistent, undesired thought processes (obsessions) and/or repeating actions (compulsions). Obsession, in this case, is highly unpleasant as the individual is compelled to repeat certain behaviors again and again. The condition, most of the time, is anxiety-related and the  thoughts are unwanted and intrusive . Sufferers often understand that these thoughts are irrational, but by performing compulsive behavior, they believe they will be cured or will be relieved. Recurring actions such as hand washing (to avoid catching germs), counting numbers, checking things over, or cleaning are frequently carried out with the anticipation of avoiding compulsive thoughts or making them disappear altogether. This is to avoid their obsession turning into reality. OCD is a common mental condition that affects 2.5 million ...