Psychiatric Issues

Psychiatric, psychological issues and assessments

Hope Trust has a team of very experienced psychiatrists and psychologists who can evaluate and help children and adults with mental health problems.

Issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADD/ADHD, OCD, schizophrenia, phobias, and other conditions are scientifically assessed and appropriately managed by any one of the psychiatrists or psychologists.

Depression

Depression is a serious medical illness. Symptoms can include:

  • Sadness or low mood
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
  • Change in weight
  • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
  • Energy loss
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression can run in families and usually starts between 15 and 30 years of age. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter.

There are effective treatments for depression, including antidepressants and talk therapy—a combination of both works best.

Bipolar Disorder (also called Manic Depressive Disorder)

People with bipolar disorder experience dramatic mood swings. They may go from being overly energetic, “high,” or irritable to sad and hopeless and then back again. They often have normal moods in between. The upbeat feeling is called mania. The down feeling is depression.

Bipolar disorder can run in families. It usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood.

Untreated bipolar disorder can damage relationships, cause poor job or school performance, and even lead to suicide.

However, there are effective treatments: pharmacotherapy and “talk therapy.” A combination usually works best.

Anxiety

You may feel anxious before taking a test or walking down a dark street. This kind of anxiety is helpful—it can make you more alert or careful. It usually ends soon after you are out of the situation that caused it. But for millions of people, the anxiety does not disappear and worsens over time. They may have chest pains or nightmares. They may even be afraid to leave home. These people have anxiety disorders. Types include:

  • Panic disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Phobias
  • Generalised anxiety disorder

Treatment can involve medication, talk therapy, or both.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe, lifelong brain disorder. People with it may hear voices, see things that aren’t there, or believe that others are reading or controlling their minds. Symptoms usually start in the late teens and early 20s. Other symptoms include:

  • Unusual thoughts or perceptions
  • Disorders of movement
  • Difficulty speaking and expressing emotion
  • Problems with attention, memory and organisation

Research shows that schizophrenia is strongly linked to genes, and brain chemistry also plays an important role.

Medicines can relieve many symptoms. You can reduce relapses by staying on your medication as long as your doctor recommends. With treatment, many people improve enough to lead satisfying lives.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviours that cause serious problems with relationships and work. People with personality disorders have difficulty dealing with the stresses and issues of everyday life. They often have stormy relationships with other people. The exact cause of personality disorders is unknown. However, genes and childhood experiences may play a role.

Symptoms differ greatly depending on the type of personality disorder. Treatment usually includes talk therapy and sometimes medication.