CN Mental Disorders

Phobias

A group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a particular stimulus or group of stimuli. The anxiety interferes with normal living. Caused by the presence or anticipation of feared stimuli. Often avoidant of the feared stimulus to prevent anxiety, but can also freeze or faint which can interfere with routine. It cannot be helped by simply reassuring a person and they are often aware that they are being irrational

Depression

A mood disorder where an individual feels sad and/or lacks interest in their usual activities. Further characteristics include irrational negative thoughts, raised or lowered activity levels and difficulties with concentration, sleep and eating. A diagnosis needs at least five symptoms and they are commonly things like sadness, loss of interest, feeling worthless and feeling angry. Many are tired and sleep more or become restless and have insomnia, and may have altered appetites. They often have negative thoughts, a negative world view and irrational negative beliefs

OCD

An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsessions (persistent thoughts) and compulsions (behaviours that are repeated over and over again). Compulsions are a response to obsessions and the person believes the compulsions will reduce anxiety. People with OCD are aware that their behaviour is excessive and are normally embarrassed and ashamed. Recurrent, intrusive thoughts and impulses that are considered inappropriate or forbidden. They are uncontrollable and cause anxiety. It causes repetitive, excessive behaviours and there is extreme anxiety if they do not do these behaviours

Depression, phobias and OCD are all conditions that are listed in the DSM-V, with depression being characterised by negative schemas and irrational negative thoughts, with changes in behaviour, sleep and appetite, phobias being characterised as irrational fears that cause avoidance that interferes with peoples lives and routines, and OCD being a group of obsessions and compulsions that are irrational and cause distress.