Bipolar Disorder

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DIAGNOSES OF MENTAL ILLNESSES
Bipolar Disorder
This is a mental disorder that causes a variation in an individual’s mood whereby they
experience periods of sadness and periods of great elation (mania or hypomania).
Signs and Symptoms:
 During mania individuals are highly energetic, usually excited and may be very
productive. There is, however, the risk of quick decision making without clearly
evaluating their consequences.
 Lack of sleep
 Delusional- holding beliefs that contradict to reality
 Hallucinations- describes experiencing sensations that only exist in the patients’ minds
 Psychosis- patients perceive things differently from other people around them
Depression
This describes a feeling of sadness for a long period of time for example weeks, months or even
years and sometimes with no apparent reason. A diagnosis can take weeks and it is important to
rule out general medical issues since some conditions such as vitamin deficiency share the
symptoms of depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression:
o Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
o Appetite variations
o Loss or gain in weight disparate from dieting
o Fatigue
o Lack of sleep
o Difficulty in concentration
o Suicide thoughts
Schizophrenia
It is a severe mental disorder that affects an individual’s thinking, behavior and feelings.

Signs and Symptoms:
 Psychosis
 Disorderly movements
 Trouble focusing
 Reduced expression of emotions through speaking and facial expressions
 Hallucinations
 Delusions
Anxiety Disorders
These are feelings of dread over anticipated activities.
Signs and Symptoms:
 Excessive worry over everything for a long period of time
 Fatigue as a result of restlessness
 Trouble sleeping
 Overwhelming and disruptive fear
 Muscle tension which includes flexing muscles regularly and jaw clenching
 Problems in concentration
 Chronic indigestion characterized by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), in which
individuals experience stomachaches, cramping, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea
 Panic attacks; a sudden gripby fear that can last several moments
 Stage fright
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
In this case, the patient experiences uncontrolled re-occurring thoughts (obsessions) and patterns
of behavior (compulsions).
Signs and Symptoms:
Lack of concentration due to excessive thoughts or actions
Repeated checks on activities already carried out