ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Mental illness

What is Mental illness?

21:54 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It refers to a series of conditions that alter the mind, causing abnormalities in mood, emotions, thoughts, and behavior, which may be temporary or chronic, affecting to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the case, the relationship with others and everyday activities.

There are various mental disorders:

  • Eating disorders.
  • Anxiety.
  • Bipolarity.
  • Depression.
  • Gender dysphoria.
  • Dissociative.
  • Elimination.
  • Schizophrenia.
  • Phobias.
  • Neurocognitive.
  • Obsessive-compulsive.
  • Personality.
  • Post-traumatic.
  • Related to alcohol, drugs, and other addictions.

Multiple factors can trigger a mental illness, including genetic, family, biological, and psychosocial aspects.

Signs and symptoms Mental illness

The symptoms vary depending on the type of mental disorder in question, as well as the factors and circumstances, but the most common include: 

  • Alcohol and/or drug abuse.
  • Social isolation.
  • Apathy.
  • Changes in eating habits.
  • Extreme tiredness, lack of energy, and sleep disturbances.
  • Confusion and lack of focus.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Paranoia.
  • Sexual dysfunctions.
  • Mood swings.
  • Rage and violence fits.
  • Fears or feelings of guilt.
  • Suicidal thoughts.
  • Sadness.

Sometimes, mental illness symptoms can also be physical, causing headaches, low back pain, and stomach pain, among others. If mental illness is not treated early, it can lead to emotional, physical, and behavioral problems, including: 

  • Drug, alcohol, and/or tobacco abuse.
  • Social isolation.
  • Dropping school and jobs.
  • Suicide.
  • Family problems.
  • Weakened immune system.
  • Apathy and discouragement.
  • Couple conflicts.
  • Cardiovascular diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment Mental illness

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychological evaluation.

The indicated treatment will depend on the cause, severity, and symptoms, but, in general, it consists of the administration of a combination of drugs and psychological therapies with a specialized medical team.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Fuentes:

  • mayocilinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • msdmanuals.com
  • acreba.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • medigraphic.com
  • Mora-Ríos J, Ortega-Ortega M. Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination toward mental illness Scale (PDDs): Its association with sociodemographic variables and interpersonal contact in a Mexican sample. Salud Mental. 2021;44(2):75-82.
  • Perera MLS, Aguilar HI, Vázquez AJL. La salud mental: una necesidad impostergable de atención integral. Revista de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. 2019;26(1):105-111.
  • Rizo MLE, Guevara PMÁ, Hernández GM, et al. A preliminary study of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms in female adolescents maltreatment victims in Mexico. Salud Mental. 2018;41(3):139-144.
  • Massa LE. Duelo patológico, tratamiento con psicoterapia narrativa. Rev Elec Psic Izt. 2017;20(1):321-337.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.