rljhrc-psychiatry-Patient-Education-Material

SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. It is a complex, long-term medical illness. Although schizophrenia can occur at any age, the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to the early twenties for men, and the late twenties to early thirties for women. It is uncommon for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40. Symptoms Just like with any mental illness, people with schizophrenia experience symptoms differently.

Symptoms include:

Hallucinations, which can include a person hearing voices, seeing things, or smelling things others can’t perceive.
Delusions, which are false beliefs that don’t change even when the person who holds them is presented with new ideas or facts.
Disorganized thinking, such as struggling to remember things, organize thoughts or complete tasks.
Anosognosia, which means they are unaware that they have an illness.
Negative symptoms, such as being emotionally flat or speaking in a dull, disconnected way.

Causes Research suggests that schizophrenia may have several possible causes:

Genetics.
Schizophrenia isn’t caused by just one genetic variation, but a complex interplay of genetics and environmental influences. While schizophrenia occurs in 1% of the general population, having a history of family psychosis greatly increases the risk. Schizophrenia occurs at roughly 10% of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such as a parent or sibling.
Environment
Exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth, particularly in the first and second trimesters has been shown to increase the risk of schizophrenia. Inflammation or autoimmune diseases can also lead to increased immune system
Brain chemistry.
Problems with certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia. Neurotransmitters allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Networks of neurons are likely involved as well.
Drug use.
Some studies have suggested that taking mind-altering drugs during teen years and young adulthood can increase the risk of schizophrenia. A growing body of evidence indicates that smoking marijuana increases the risk of psychotic incidents and the risk of ongoing psychotic experiences. The younger and more frequent the use, the greater the risk. Another study has found that smoking marijuana led to earlier onset of schizophrenia and often preceded the manifestation of the illness.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.
Signs and Symptoms:
People with bipolar disorder experience periods of unusually intense emotion, changes in sleep patterns and activity levels, and unusual behaviors. These distinct periods are called “mood episodes.” Mood episodes are drastically different from the moods and behaviors that are typical for the person. Extreme changes in energy, activity, and sleep go along with mood episodes.
Sometimes a mood episode includes symptoms of both manic and depressive symptoms. This is called an episode with mixed features. People experiencing an episode with mixed features may feel very sad, empty, or hopeless, while at the same time feeling extremely energized. Bipolar disorder can be present even when mood swings are less extreme. For example, some people with bipolar disorder experience hypomania, a less severe form of mania. During a hypomanic episode, an individual may feel very good, be highly productive, and function well. The person may not feel that anything is wrong, but family and friends may recognize the mood swings and/or changes in activity levels as possible bipolar disorder. Without proper treatment, people with hypomania may develop severe mania or depression
Risk Factors:
Scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most agree that there is no single cause. Instead, it is likely that many factors contribute to the illness or increase risk.
Brain Structure and Functioning:
Some studies show how the brains of people with bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of healthy people or people with other mental disorders. Learning more about these differences, along with new information from genetic studies, helps scientists better understand bipolar disorder and predict which types of treatment will work most effectively.
Genetics:
Some research suggests that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. But genes are not the only risk factor for bipolar disorder. Studies of identical twins have shown that even if one twin develops bipolar disorder, the other twin does not always develop the disorder, despite the fact that identical twins share all of the same genes.
Family History:
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of the disorder. However, it is important to note that most people with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.

ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is a condition that can make it hard for a person to sit still, control behavior, and pay attention. These difficulties usually begin before the person is 7 years old. However, these behaviors may not be noticed until the child is older. Doctors do not know just what causes AD/HD. However, researchers who study the brain are coming closer to understanding what may cause AD/HD. They believe that some people with AD/HD do not have enough of certain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in their brain. These chemicals help the brain control behavior. Parents and teachers do not cause AD/HD. Still, there are many things that both parents and teachers can do to help a child with AD/HD.
As many as 5 out of every 100 children in school may have AD/HD. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have AD/HD.

There are three main signs, or symptoms, of AD/HD.
- problems with paying attention,
- being very active (called hyperactivity),
- acting before thinking (called impulsivity).
Based on these symptoms, three types of AD/HD have been found:
- Inattentive type, where the person can’t seem to get focuesd or stay focused on a task or activity;
- Hyperactive-impulsive type, where the person is very active and often acts without thinking; and
- Combined type, where the person is inattentive, impulsive, and too active Inattentive type. Many children with AD/HD have problems paying attention.
Children with the inattentive type of AD/HD often:
- Do not pay close attention to details;
- Can’t stay focused on play or school work;
- Don’t follow through on instructions or finish school work or chores
- Can’t seem to organize tasks and activities;
- Get distracted easily; and
- Lose things such as toys, school work, and books.

Hyperactive-impulsive type. Being too active is probably the most visible sign of AD/HD. The hyperactive child is “always on the go.” (As he or she gets older, the level of activity may go down.) These children also act before thinking (called impulsivity). For example, they may run across the road without looking or climb to the top of very tall trees. They may be surprised to find themselves in a dangerous situation. They may have no idea of how to get out of the situation. Hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to go together.

fidget and squirm;
get out of their chairs when they’re not supposed to;
run around or climb constantly;
have trouble playing quietly;
talk too much;
blurt out answers before questions have been completed;
have trouble waiting their turn;
interrupt others when they’re talking; and
butt in on the games others are playing.

Combined type. Children with the combined type of AD/HD have symptoms of both of the types described above. They have problems with paying attention, with hyperactivity, and with controlling their impulses. Of course, from time to time, all children are inattentive, impulsive, and too active. With children who have AD/HD, these behaviors are the rule, not the exception. These behaviors can cause a child to have real problems at home, at school, and with friends. As a result, many children with AD/HD will feel anxious, unsure of themselves, and depressed. These feelings are not symptoms of AD/HD. They come from having problems again and again at home and in school.

AUTISM

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) — is a developmental disability. This categorization can refer to a number of long-term (perhaps lifelong) medical conditions. These disorders may occur due to an issue with the formation of regions of the brain that control language, learning, behavior, or physical movement.
In the case of autism, people who have ASD will have challenges relating to their behavior, communication, and social skills. Physically, people who have autism bear no differences to those who don’t have the disorder, but they will learn, behave, communicate, and interact in ways that are different (sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly) than those around them.
People with autism can be severely challenged by their different abilities to learn, think, and problem-solve, or they might be incredibly gifted. Some people on the autism spectrum need a lot of assistance to live a functioning and happy life; others are more self-sufficient.
Today, several other conditions that traditionally were diagnosed separately fall under the umbrella of the autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. In addition to autistic disorder, a doctor or specialist will also look for signs for Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), among others. All these conditions fall under the category of autism spectrum disorder.

Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder
People who are on the autism spectrum often struggle with social, behavioral, communication, and emotional skills. They might be very resistant to changes in their daily activities, and they might repeat specific behaviors for hours at a time, refusing to stop and reacting negatively if interrupted.
The signs of ASD can become apparent during toddlerhood, and they will continue for much of a person’s life.

They don’t show interest in objects that are pointed out to them.
They don’t show interest in other people and struggle to relate to other people. In some cases, children with autism will be interested in other people, but they will not know how to play, talk, or otherwise interact with them.
They cannot make eye contact and will have little or no interest in socializing.
They cannot articulate how they’re feeling.
They do not want to be held or cuddled, or they will only allow themselves to be held or cuddled when they want.
They might not respond when being spoken to, and they might be completely unaware that their name is being called.
They might ceaselessly repeat words or phrases said to them, or repeat those words or phrases as answers to questions even when not contextually appropriate.
They might repeat certain actions many times over.
They might have strongly negative reactions to a new routine.
They might have unusual reactions to stimuli, such as odd reactions to certain sounds, tastes, smells, forms of touch, or visuals.
They might lose certain skills and abilities that they once had.

Where Does Autism Come From?

Genetics:
Researchers are in agreement that genes are one of the risk factors that can increase the chances of ASD developing in a child. Children who have a sibling on the autism spectrum also have a higher risk of developing ASD.
In-utero issues:
Babies born to mothers who take certain prescription drugs during pregnancy, like valproic acid and thalidomide, have a higher risk of ASD. Other evidence has suggested that key moments before, during, and immediately after childbirth can influence the development of ASD.
Chromosomal issues:
People who have specific genetic or chromosomal conditions, like fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis, have a greater chance of developing ASD.
Parental ages:
Parents who have children later in life have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with ASD.
Sex:
Autism tends to occur more often in boys than in girls. This might be the result of underreporting, says U.S. News & World Report, but it is found across all socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic groups.

ALCOHOL USE DISORDER

What is alcohol use disorder (AUD)?
For most adults, moderate alcohol use is probably not harmful. However, about 18 million adult Americans have an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This means that their drinking causes distress and harm. AUD can range from mild to severe, depending on the symptoms. Severe AUD is sometimes called alcoholism or alcohol dependence.

Craving - a strong need to drink
Loss of control - not being able to stop drinking once you've started
Negative emotional state - feeling anxious and irritable when you are not drinking

How do I know if I have an alcohol use disorder (AUD)?

Ended up drinking more or for a longer time than you had planned to?
Wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn't?
Spent a lot of your time drinking or recovering from drinking?
Felt a strong need to drink?
Found that drinking - or being sick from drinking - often interfered with your family life, job, or school?
Kept drinking even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
Given up or cut back on activities that you enjoyed just so you could drink?
Gotten into dangerous situations while drinking or after drinking? Some examples are driving drunk and having unsafe sex.
Kept drinking even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious? Or when it was adding to another health problem?
Had to drink more and more to feel the effects of the alcohol?
Had withdrawal symptoms when the alcohol was wearing off? They include trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, and sweating. In severe cases, you could have a fever, seizures, or hallucinations.

If you have any of these symptoms, your drinking may already be a cause for concern. The more symptoms you have, the more serious the problem is.

Patient Education Material