At PsychGuides.com, our goal is to shed light on psychological disorders, allowing you to recognize, understand and cope with these challenging diagnoses in yourself, friends and family members. Our guides provide insight into depression, bipolar disorders, dementia and other psychological [...]
Bipolar DisorderBipolar Disorder Defined Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive disorder, results in frequent mood swings, from soaring highs-known as mania-to crashing lows-commonly known as depression. These changes in mood directly affect an individual’s activity levels, energy and ability to carry [...]
About Antipsychotic DrugsAntipsychotics are a group of drugs that are used to treat serious mental health conditions such as psychosis as well as other emotional and mental conditions. In addition, they are prescribed for the treatment of intractable hiccoughs and pain that [...]
Psychotic DisordersWhat Are Psychotic Disorders? Psychotic disorders are mental disorders in which a person’s personality is severely confused and that person loses touch with reality. When a psychotic episode occurs, a person becomes unsure about what is real and what isn’t [...]
PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)Estimates suggest that up to 70 percent of American adults have experienced at least one significant trauma during their lifetimes. Many of those people may subsequently have suffered from an emotional reaction known as posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Further [...]
Patient/Family Handouts (English and Spanish)Expert Consensus Treatment Guidelines for Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families Consenso De Los Expertos del Guia Para el Tratamiento del Disturbio Bipolar: Un Guia Para Los Pacientes y las Familias Expert Consensus Treatment Guidelines for Schizophrenia: A [...]
Guides for Patients and FamiliesTreatment of Dementia and Agitation: A Guide for Families and Caregivers Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families (2004) Depression During the Transition to Menopause: A Guide for Patients and Families Depression in Older Adults: A Guide for Patients [...]
Living With: Mental RetardationMental retardation is a developmental disorder where a person’s mental abilities do not fully develop in line with people of an equivalent age. It is quite common, with the condition affecting around 1 to 3 percent of the population, according [...]
Living With: Depression during PregnancyDepression during pregnancy is a very difficult and sensitive subject. Statistics from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest that between 14 and 23 percent of women suffer from some form of depression during pregnancy. There are many questions [...]
Living With: Bipolar DisorderWhether you live with bipolar disorder or live with someone who has it, you may be well aware of the issues associated with it. Even if no one in your household has the condition, chances are that you know someone [...]
Living With: A Family Member with DementiaDementia is a disease that can bring grief to a family if it isn’t handled correctly. There are so many myths circulating about the illness, and many people do not understand that dementia is a manageable condition. In fact, many [...]
EpilepsyEpilepsy is a set of chronic neurological disorders that are characterized by seizures. The seizures may be provoked or unprovoked, and they may be recurrent. A single seizure that is combined with some brain alterations can increase the chance of [...]
Depressive Disorders in Older PatientsDo the Elderly Face Depression? Depression over the age of 65 can be difficult; patients may have difficulty functioning and feel distressed. Later-life depression can be caused by medical illnesses. About 15 percent of people over 65 have symptoms of [...]
Depression in WomenOne in four women will experience an episode of depression at least once in their lives. Depression affects men at a much lower rate. However, many experiences unique to women, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, trigger depressive episodes. Depression [...]
Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder is a medical condition that involves rapid mood swings between periods of good moods and those of irritability and depression. The condition is experienced equally by both men and women and generally manifests itself for the first time [...]
Living With: Depression in Older AdultsDepression affects more than 35 million adults each year. Of these, 6.5 million are over the age of 65. In the later years of a person’s life, changes occur that can lead to depression. These include medical illnesses, death of [...]
Living With: MenopauseMenopause occurs after a woman has her last menstrual cycle. Both menopause and the time preceding it cause significant physical changes in a woman’s body. Women can decrease the undesirable effects of menopause by taking medication, undergoing therapy, and making [...]
Living With: OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)One in 50 Americans has a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) according to BBC Health statistics. While many feel alone or isolated from their friends and families, there is actually a lot of support available for those living with the [...]
Living With: Postpartum DepressionWhat is Postpartum Depression? There are two forms of postpartum depression. The first form is postpartum or maternity blues, which is a mild mood condition that lasts for a short time. A more severe form, called postpartum major depression, is [...]
Living With: Premenstrual Dysphoric DisorderSharing a life and a home with someone who has premenstrual dysphoric disorder can be a challenge if you are unprepared. The symptoms of PMDD, if left untreated, can be disruptive to the sufferer’s life and the lives of everyone [...]
Living With: PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)You may feel that you are on your own if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic stress disorder. However, PTSD is a common problem and many resources are available for people affected by this anxiety disorder. [...]
Living With: SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a chronic, severe mental disorder in which a person has a hard time telling the difference between what is real and not real. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 percent of the population suffers [...]
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)People with OCD have excessive doubts, worries, or superstitions. While all people experience these problems occasionally, OCD patients’ worries can control their lives. They may cope with common problems by indulging in compulsions that are excessive or do not make [...]
Psychiatric and Behavioral ProblemsMental retardation is fairly common, and it occurs in approximately 1 to 2 percent of people. Psychiatric and behavior problems occur three to six times more in these individuals than in the general population, so the assessment of these patients [...]
SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a brain disease that affects approximately three million people in the United States alone. It is a highly treatable disease, and there are many new treatments for schizophrenia that can help improve people’s lives. What Is Schizophrenia? There [...]
Behavioral EmergenciesA behavioral emergency, also called a behavioral crisis or psychiatric emergency, occurs when someone’s behavior is so out of control that the person becomes a danger to everyone. The situation is so extreme that the person must be treated promptly [...]
ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder)Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a common mental illness characterized by the inability to concentrate or sit still. The condition is, of course, more involved than these two symptoms. However, when people think of ADHD, the image is of a [...]
DementiaDementia is a term used to describe a severe loss of mental ability. This includes, but is not limited to, the loss of memory. Memory loss is normal as people age, but when it starts to disrupt daily life, it [...]
Mental Health ConferencesComing soon…
Mental Health Advocacy OrganizationsComing soon…