Psychological Issues

Psychological disorders affect people in different ways from a deep depression to the mind creating other characters in life. Some psychological disorders may be treated with medication; however, treatment for personality disorders is typically therapy. Some psychological disorders are considered genetic while others are defense mechanisms brought about by childhood trauma.

Bipolar Disorder

• Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder shifts a person's mood, causing extreme highs and lows. People who have bipolar disorder may suffer damaged relationships, poor performance at school or work, or suicide, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mania and depression are typically the two poles for people who have bipolar disorder. Mania is described as a high feeling with childlike energy or irritable moods and high levels of agitation. Speaking rapidly, high-risk behaviors, including shopping sprees and lack of sexual inhibitions, and not sleeping or sleeping very little are symptoms of mania. Depression brings an exhausted feeling, hopeless thoughts and suicidal thoughts or plans. Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, the disease can go into relapse using antidepressants, mood stabilizers and psychotherapy. Lithium is one of the most common drugs used to treat bipolar disorder.

Schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia is a psychological disorder that affects the brain and causes people to hear voices others don't hear or imagine people are after them. Schizophrenics may also believe that a person or group of people are broadcasting their thoughts around the world. Schizophrenia affects 1.1 percent of the population yearly, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Rarely will schizophrenia affect children, usually developing in males in their late teens to early 20s and women between the ages of 20 and 30. Schizophrenia is treated with medication.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• The catch phrase for borderline personality disorder (BPD) is "I hate you don't leave me," which is also a title of a book about BPD. Even though the person may wish to have loving relationships, the emotional instability, warped self-perception of feeling worthless, anger, impulsiveness and frequent mood swings often push away the people who are closest to the afflicted, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of BPD include fear of being alone; trouble controlling emotions and instincts; inappropriate anger; and risky behaviors including reckless driving, impulsive shopping sprees, sexual promiscuity and drug use.