What Is Paranoid Schizophrenia? Properly referred to in the DSM-5 as schizophrenia paranoid type, paranoid schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior and negative symptoms. On the surface, many people cannot truly ... Read More
Search Results for: schizophrenia
Avoid the Common Pitfall of Misdiagnosed Depression
Now a 26-year-old college student working on earning her master's degree in social work, Emily remembers her parents commenting constantly on her "moodiness" as a teenager. Emily began experiencing extreme mood swings around the time she entered high school. One week she would feel euphoric and invincible. The next ... Read More
Living with Someone Who Has Bipolar Disorder – What to Know
Nearly six million Americans have bipolar disorder (BPD) and more than half of them are not receiving treatment for this serious mental illness. Many people with BPD are misdiagnosed with major depression, schizophrenia, or borderline personality disorder because signs of BPD While in a manic phase, people with BPD ... Read More
Substance Abuse or Mental Illness? 4 Tips for Avoiding Misdiagnosis
Because the symptoms of substance abuse and mental illness often closely mirror one another, it can be difficult to get an accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan. Getting professional help from an experienced mental health expert is vital for those living with mental illness, substance abuse, or both. These ... Read More
How Self-Esteem Can Affect Mental Health
Self-deprecation is the ability to find humor in your own shortcomings. An example of self-deprecation would be an overweight person joking they exercise, by claiming they "walk four miles every day: one mile to McDonalds, another mile to Friendly's and two miles home." Another example would be someone joking about ... Read More
Rate Your Open-Mindedness About Mental Health With This 5-Minute Quiz
Mental illness has long held a stigma. Far too many people believe that mental illness isn't as legitimate or real as physical illness, even though science has proved time and time again that this isn't the case. Over the last decade, the medical community, celebrities and even music, movies and TV shows have made an ... Read More
Mental Health Diagnoses That Can Pose Risks of Suicide
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that 129 people commit suicide every day on average, and suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. While suicidal thoughts can come from a variety of situations and factors, one risk is a mental health diagnosis. Here's an overview of some of ... Read More
5 Reasons to Create a Psychiatric Advanced Directive
Currently, only 25 states feature laws regarding psychiatric advance directives—yet one in 25 adults will experience a serious mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance of Mental Health. A psychiatric advance directive is a legal document that outlines an individual's preferences regarding future ... Read More