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Behavioral
Health
Resources
3857 Martin Way E
Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 704-7170
(800) 825-4820
|
 Mental
illness comes in a variety of forms accompanied by a number
of related symptoms. To learn more about some of these illnesses,
including, types, causes, symptoms and treatments, the staff
of Behavioral Health Resources has put together a comprehensive,
alphabetized list, shown below. For more information, simply
scroll down and click on the appropriate illness description.
The mental illness' descriptions included in this list are for
informative purposes only.
Alzheimers Disease
One of the most disabling afflictions among older people is
Alzheimers disease. It is estimated that one in 20 adults over
65 and one in five adults over 80 suffer from the disease today.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses,
and they are also the most treatable. Unfortunately, only about
one quarter of the victims ever seek treatment.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as Manic-depressive disorder, is
a serious, chronic mental disorder. It is estimated that one
in 100 people suffer from manic-depression and it generally
strikes before 35 years of age.
Childhood Disorders
When children develop mental or emotional disorders, parents
often blame themselves, but childhood disorders are likely caused
by a combination of many factors. Often these conditions can
be treated effectively, allowing our children to grow into happy,
productive adults.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common of all mental illnesses.
It can appear at any age, and one in five women and one in 10
men will experience depression sometime in their lives. Almost
90 percent of those who suffer from depression can be effectively
treated.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are psychological illnesses born from the desire
to achieve the "ideal figure." The majority of those
afflicted with eating disorders are adolescent and young adult
women.
Late-life Depression
Depression is common among the elderly. In fact, more than 20
percent of those over the age of 65 suffer from some degree
of depression. An additional 10 percent of the elderly diagnosed
with dementia may actually be suffering from depression.
Late-Life Mental Health
Having sound mental health as an adult does not make a person
immune from psychiatric problems later in life. Elderly individuals
can also suffer from mental illness, but proper treatment and
care can reduce or eliminate the symptoms, returning people
to functioning, happier lives.
Late-life Suicide
For many people, senior years are a time to enjoy life, to travel,
to do things they weren't able to before retirement. They look
back on their lives with satisfaction. But for some others,
growing older is a painful, difficult process.
Manic-depressive Disorder
see Bipolar Disorder
Mental Illnesses
Mental illnesses are some of the most misunderstood afflictions
in today's society. Too many people think of mental illness
as a "weakness." Nothing could be further from the
truth. These are true illnesses and brain diseases.
Mood Disorders
Feelings of sadness and discouragement are normal emotional
reactions to difficult situations. But when these feelings last
more than a few weeks, or get so bad that they take control
of a person's life, it could be a sign of a mood disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder afflicts millions of Americans
and can strike at any age. Treatment is available, and advances
in medications and therapies have successfully returned many
people with obsessive-compulsive disorder to productive, satisfying
lives.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder, one in the family of anxiety disorders, is different
from normal anxiety. While other anxiety disorders cause ongoing
feelings of fear of impending doom, panic disorder is marked
by sudden, unexpected attacks of intense terror.
Phobias
Fear is a natural reaction to danger. But when your fears are
so great that they disrupt your daily life, you probably suffer
from a phobia. Phobias are among the most common of all mental
illnesses, and they are usually the most successfully treated.
Physical Fitness & Mental Health
Physical fitness involves much more than having the body of
a fashion model. True physical fitness is a state of overall
well-being and a measure of one's ability to perform normal
physical activity. When you're physically healthy, you are more
likely to be mentally healthy as well.
Schizophrenia
Much less common than other chronic diseases, schizophrenia
occurs in around 150 of every 100,000 people, or about one to
one and a half percent of the population, and usually appears
during adolescence or young adulthood.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is the misuse of a mood-altering substance and
is one of the most common and costly problems in society today.
Just about everyone has or will be faced with making decisions
about substance use or abuse, however it touches our lives.
Education is the first and most critical step toward making
the right decision.
Teen Suicide
For many, teen years are some of the most difficult in life.
Our bodies go through changes; relationships become complex;
we begin to learn social roles; and more than ever we're expected
to grow up earlier. These changes and demands may leave a teenager
feeling helpless, confused and pessimistic about the future.
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