Depression

Everyone can get a bit down or sad for a couple of days, this doesn’t necessarily mean you are suffering from depression. If you have these thoughts and feelings for weeks or even months, then that’s the time to visit your doctor or health professional.

Some people think depression is just something that you can just shake off. They’re wrong - depression is a real illness that needs real support. The good news is, with proper support and treatment most people will make a full recovery.

THE MOST COMMON SIGNS THAT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION

• Feeling sad and worthless.
• Change in appetite, not eating or binge eating.
• Problems sleeping.
• Becoming annoyed and irritated at the smallest of things.
• Not enjoying hobbies or activities that once made you happy.
• Excessive drinking or drug abuse.
• Lack of focus and concentration.

Anxiety

Experiencing anxiety is a normal part of life; this is different to someone having an anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorders have intense, excessive and persistent worries and fears about everyday situations that can escalate within minutes into panic attacks. These feelings can have a detrimental effect on normal daily activities and are very hard to control.

SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE AN ANXIETY DISORDER

• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Not able to relax, feeling restless and tense.
• Always feeling tired.
• Sweating.
• Having an increased heart rate.
• A continual feeling of panic and impending doom.

Bi Polar

Bi-polar disorder is a mental disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, energy levels and concentration which makes it hard for sufferers to carry out normal day to day tasks. Formerly known as manic depressive illness, the moods range from manic episodes were the person will feel irritable or energized, to depressive episodes were the person will feel very down, sad, having hopeless periods.

SYMPTOMS OF A MANIC EPISODE:

• Feeling on a high, elated and very irritable.
• Not needing sleep.
• Loss of appetite.
• Thinking one can do a lot of things at once.
• Having a feeling of invincibility and power.
• Doing irrational things such as giving away money, eating and drinking excessively.

SYMPTOMS OF A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE:

• Feeling sad, down and worried.
• Increased appetite and weight gain.
• Struggling to concentrate.
• Feeling hopeless and having suicidal thoughts.
• Feeling tired and restless.
• No motivation to exercise or do activities.........

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that requires lifelong treatment. Schizophrenia can cause hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and behaviour that impairs day to day living. The condition may develop slowly over time and may be hard to identify and they usually develop during the teenage years.

The Symptoms of schizophrenia are usually classified into:-

POSITIVE Symptoms of schizophrenia are any
change in behaviour or thoughts,
such as hallucinations or delusions.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are where someone sees, hears, smells,
tastes or feels things that do not exist outside their
mind. The most common hallucination is hearing

Delusions

A delusion is a belief held with complete conviction,
even though it's based on a mistaken, strange or
unrealistic view. It may affect the way the person
behaves. Delusions can begin suddenly or may develop

Thought disorder

People experiencing psychosis often have trouble
keeping track of their thoughts and conversations.

Changes in behaviour and thoughts

A person's behaviour may become more disorganised
and unpredictable.

NEGATIVE symptoms of schizophrenia

• A person suffering with a negative symptom of schizophrenia may become reclusive and lose interest in their appearance and hygiene.
• Lack of interest and motivation in life including relationships and activities.
• Changes in sleeping patterns.

 It can be difficult to tell whether the symptoms are part of the development of schizophrenia or caused by their progressing age.With treatment and early diagnosis, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain mental function.
something else.

The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can often
lead to relationship problems with friends and family as
they can sometimes be mistaken for deliberate laziness
or rudeness.

Dementia

Dementia is a general term for memory loss and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia are the most common forms of dementia but there are many kinds. Dementia is more common in people over  the age of 65, but it can also affect younger people. Early onset of the disease can begin when people are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s. With treatment and early diagnosis, you can slow the progression of the disease and maintain mental function.

Warning signs of dementia

• Memory loss that affects daily life.
• Difficulty completing tasks familiar to them.
• Struggling with times and places.
• New problems with words in writing or speaking.
• Losing things and not able to retrace steps.
• Poor judgement and hygiene.
• Becoming reclusive from social activities and work.