Bipolar disorder, also considered a manic-depressive illness, is characterized by massive mood swings from extreme "highs" to an overwhelming feeling of sadness and hopelessness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Depression is a common but serious condition. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the United States for people ages 15 to 44. However, depression is also very...
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder in which individuals experience mania and extremely high euphoric mood, which may alternate with bouts of depression. The definitive cause of the disorder is unknown; however, risk factors include inherited...
Parents of children with ADD, also referred to as ADHD or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, report their kids lack focus, often forgetting things, moving quickly from one activity to the next, daydreaming and failing to follow...
It's not easy to live with a parent who suffers from depression. Depression is a serious mental illness that affects almost every area of a person's life, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Physical symptoms such as sleep...
Several different types of antidepressants work differently to address symptoms of depression. As described by the National Institute of Mental Health, antidepressants help to maintain the proper balance of chemicals, or neurotransmitters, in the...
Bipolar disorder is a mood disturbance in which an individual experiences episodes of mania, though he may also experience symptoms of depression as well. The presentation of bipolar disorder in children is somewhat different from that of adults....
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by extremes in your mood. You may be depressed one day and manic the next. During manic episodes, you may participate in such risky behavior as sexual promiscuity or extravagant shopping...
Attention-deficit disorder, commonly referred to as ADD, is a mental health condition that can cause a severe impact on your daily functioning and overall quality of life. ADD is typically compounded by the presence of hyperactivity, in which case...
Although the stressors may be different, children and adolescents experience the same emotions as adults. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, 14.8 million adults are affected by depression each year. A study by Harvard University...
Everyone encounters depression at some point in their lives. For many, it is a fleeting experience that does not interfere with their lives. However, for some, depression is a severe condition that makes performing day-to-day activities next to...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in four adults suffer from a mental illness each year. Additionally, 14.8 million American adults suffer from some form of depression. Chronic or severe depression is typically...
Depression is a relatively common mental health disorder that affects millions of Americans. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women have an increased risk for depression, which may be due to certain risk factors, such as...
There are various types of anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder may include excessive worry that interferes with a person's daily functioning. Social anxiety may include a fear of being judged by others and may cause a person to avoid social...
Much of the world's most beautiful music, poetry, literature and art have been shaped by the passionate joys and despairs of their creators. Sometimes the most turbulent and emotional struggles in life are poignantly conveyed in allusions to...
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends those suffering from ADHD be treated by a psychiatrist, psychologist, family doctor or neurologist.
Affective disorders are mental conditions in which there is extreme or dramatic change in mood, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. These include major depression, bipolar depression and schizoaffective disorder. Moods may be elevated, as in...
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are often first treated with medication. The most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, which come in two types, amphetamines and methylphenidates. ADHD medications help to alleviate...
If you have a friend who is suffering from depression, you know what a debilitating and serious illness it can be. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, most people with depression do not seek treatment for their symptoms. If this...
Children with bipolar disorder are often treated with medication to control their symptoms. According to Robert Weis in "Introduction to Child and Adolescent Psychology," medication is the first step in treatment and a way to minimize mania in...
Bipolar disorder is a type of psychosis also known as manic depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder symptoms typically manifest when a person is in his late teens or early twenties. It may take some time...
In the United States, 1.1 percent of adults have schizophrenia and 4.1 percent of adults have ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Patients with these disorders may have difficulty functioning. For example, the hyperactivity...
Autism is a disorder diagnosed in childhood. Children with autism often demonstrate difficulties with social interaction, communication and repetitive behavior. The treatment of autism varies for each individual child, but behavioral therapy is...
Patients with schizophrenia, a mental health disorder that affects perception of reality, take a type of medication called antipsychotics. The Better Health Channel, a service of the State Government of Victoria, explains that two types of...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, attention deficit disorder (ADD) is the most common mental disorder that develops in children. Its symptoms can often can be difficult to distinguish from that of normal childhood behavior and...
Withdrawal is one of the hallmarks of major depression, with symptoms ranging from subtle to extreme. According to the National Institute of Mental Health statistics, major depressive disorder, or MDD, disables people between the ages of 15 and 44...
Affective disorders are mental illnesses characterized by disturbances of emotion, thought and behavior. According to the International Society for Affective Disorders, affective disorders include anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety...
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that mood disorders such as depression affect more than 20 million American adults each year. Most people who seek treatment recover from an episode of depression, according to the Clinical...
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 40 million American adults struggle with anxiety problems every year. Symptoms can include excessive worry, problems sleeping, a lightheaded feeling, breathlessness, muscle tension and...