There are a variety of mental illnesses that affect youth and adults including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive tendencies. Being able to identify certain signs of a possible issue and contacting a psychiatrist in Chicago IL to make a definitive diagnosis is very important in moving towards a proper treatment plan. With medical assistance, many mental illnesses can be dealt with or overcome so you can continue to live your life happier and healthier.
Struggling with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD commonly affects children, but can also be a problem for adults. In youth, some of the common signs are reckless actions without concern for a punishment, daydreaming or being easily distracted, inability to sit still for more than a very short time and being unable to join certain social activities with friends due to impatience. A child or teen with ADHD is considered to be “always on” or “overly hyper” – some parents are blamed for giving the child too much sugar or for not keeping the child disciplined. While the exact cause of ADHD is not known, many studies show it could be linked to a variety of factors including genetics, nutrition and environmental factors.
Living with an Eating Disorder
There are five unique illnesses lumped together in the term eating disorder; these include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, sub-threshold anorexia nervosa and sub-threshold binge eating disorder. Each one has very different signs and symptoms, but all five can be very serious for youth suffering from one. While they can affect both genders, the rates among females are much higher, possibly due in part to the media forcing the idea of the perfect female body upon us. Sometimes an eating disorder will come with a secondary mental illness such as depression or anxiety, but once a diagnosis has been made they are all extremely treatable.
Overcoming Depression
Depression can affect anyone; men and women, young or old, any religion, any location, etc. There is absolutely no limit to who depression can affect. Always feeling unhappy, sad, or worthless is one of the most noticeable signs of being depressed. Sleeping often, refusing to participate in sports or hobbies the person once enjoyed or talking about suicide should all be taken seriously. Depression, and most other mental issues, can be evaluated by a psychiatrist and once diagnosed can be treated. You should never be expected to live with these feelings, and seeking help is the first major step to take.
