Psychological disorders, also referred to as mental disorders, are abnormalities of the mind that result in persistent behaviour patterns that can seriously affect your day-to-day function and life. The specific causes of psychological disorders are not known, but contributing factors may include chemical imbalances in the brain, childhood experiences, heredity, illnesses, prenatal exposures and stress.
Types of Psychological Disorders
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
These psychological disorders include: Intellectual disability, Communication Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bipolar and Related Disorders
Bipolar disorder is characterised by shifts in mood as well as changes in activity and energy levels. The disorder often involves experiencing shifts between elevated moods and periods of depression
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are those that are characterised by excessive and persistent fear, worry, anxiety and related behavioural disturbances. Fear involves an emotional response to a threat, whether that threat is real or perceived.
Stress-Related Disorders
Trauma and stressor-related disorders involve exposure to a stressful or traumatic event such as Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among others.
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders are psychological disorders that involve a dissociation or interruption in aspects of consciousness, including identity and memory.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are characterised by obsessive concerns with weight and disruptive eating patterns that negatively impact physical and mental health.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders involve an interruption in sleep patterns that lead to distress and affects daytime functioning. Examples of sleep disorders include: Narcolepsy, Insomnia Disorder, Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders, Parasomnias among others
Disruptive Disorders
Impulse-control disorders are those that involve an inability to control emotions and behaviours, resulting in harm to oneself or others. These problems with emotional and behavioural regulation are characterised by actions that violate the rights of others such as destroying property or physical aggression and/or those that conflict with societal norms, authority figures, and laws.
Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders are a type of mood disorder that include a number of conditions. They are all characterised by the presence of sad, empty, or irritable moods accompanied by physical and cognitive symptoms.
Substance-Related Disorders
Substance-related disorders are those that involve the use and abuse of different substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates, and alcohol.
Schizophrenia
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders is a category of psychiatric conditions such as : Obsessive-compulsive disorder, hair-pulling, skin picking among others
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are characterised by an enduring pattern of manipulative thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that can cause serious detriments to relationships and other life areas.
When a person experiences mood or cognitive problems or behavioural issues for a long time, a psychological evaluation may be beneficial, and a diagnosis of a psychological disorder may follow. Treatment frequently involves psychotherapy to work on behaviours, skill development and thought process
Common symptoms of psychological disorders
If you experience some of these symptoms, get in touch with us for a physiological evaluation.
Contact us- Agitation, hostility or aggression
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Alterations in energy levels
- Confusion or disconnectedness
- Erratic behaviour
- Irritability and mood changes
- Perception or thought process disturbances (psychoses), such as hallucinations and delusions
- Persistent or abrupt mood changes that can interfere with day-to-day life.
- Problem denial
- Social withdrawal
