Major Brain Disorders
These are six of the most commonly encountered brain disorders. Clicking on the heading for a disease will link you to a detailed fact sheet on that disease. Each disease also has a link to books and videotapes on that subject and a link to web sites that specialize in that disease.
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Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that affects approximately two million Americans. Schizophrenia impairs a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often make them fearful and withdrawn. However, this illness is highly treatable, and new discoveries and treatments are continually improving the outlook for people with this disorder.
Schizophrenia Resources
Schizophrenia Links
Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a brain disorder involving episodes of mania and depression. It affects more than two million American adults. Effective treatments are available that greatly reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder and allow people to lead normal and productive lives.
Bipolar Disorder Resources
Bipolar Disorder Links
Depressive disorders are serious illnesses that affect a person's mood, concentration, sleep, activity, appetite, social behavior, and feelings. Depressive disorders come in different forms, the most common being major depression (unipolar depression). Major depression, the leading cause of diability in the U.S., affects over 9 million adults in a given year. Despite the disabling effects of depression, it is highly treatable.
Major Depression Resources
Major Depression Links
Obsessions are intrusive, irrational thoughts. Compulsions are repetitive rituals. Obsessive-compulsive disorder occurs when an individual experiences obsessions and compulsions for more than an hour each day, in a way that interferes with his or her life. OCD can be treated with medicine and behavior therapy.
OCD Resources
OCD Links
Dual disgnosis refers to the co-occurence of mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders (alcohol and/or drug dependence or abuse). There are many combinations of these dual/multiple disorders.
Dual Diagnosis Resources
Dual Diagnosis Links
A panic attack is an uncontrollable panic response to ordinary, nonthreatening situations. A person who experiences four or more panic attacks in a four week period is said to have panic disorder.
Panic Disorder Links