Mental Health

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other brain imaging technologies allow for the study of differences in brain activity in people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The image shows two levels of the brain, with areas that were more active in healthy controls than in schizophrenia patients shown in orange, during an fMRI study of working memory. Credit: Kim J, Matthews NL, Park S./PLoS One. Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have found that repeated DNA sequences in the genome may contribute to an individual's risk of developing schizophrenia. Tandem repeats are a class of DNA sequence where two or more nucleotides, known as the building blocks of DNA, are repeated adjacent to one anot...

Bipolar or not bipolar? That is the question. Why do doctors change their minds about a diagnosis, and does altering a diagnosis mean they aren't good at their profession? Does a change mean you are getting substandard care, and do you ever wonder why your diagnosis isn't consistent from medical professional to medical professional, or even from facility to facility? Listen in to answer these questions and more. Gabe Howard Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations, available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. He also hosts Healthline Media's Inside Mental Health podcast available on your favorite podcast player. To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. Dr. Nicole Washington Dr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A...

Schizoaffective disorder features symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders. It can be either depressive or bipolar type. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder are three different mental health diagnoses. But they can share some symptoms. No, but you can have schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. In schizoaffective disorder, you experience symptoms of psychosis at the same time as a mood episode like mania or depression. These symptoms are preceded or followed by at least 2 weeks of hallucinations and delusions without any mood episodes. In schizoaffective disorder bipolar type, the mood episodes you experience are mainly mania, and you may or may not experience symptoms of depression. Bipolar disorder involves intense mood episodes that include mania, hypomania, and depression. In some cases, some people experiencing mania can also show symptoms of psychosis. There are, however, no symptoms of psychosis when you're not experiencing a mood episode. The D...

Navigating bipolar disorder and pregnancy may pose challenges, but it's possible to do so healthily with the right support. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects a person's mood, causing mood episodes. The specifics of these effects vary depending on the type of bipolar disorder. The potential effects on a pregnancy or fetus also vary, largely depending on your current management of the disorder and the severity of your symptoms. Bipolar disorder doesn't affect a fetus. But the potential medication management tools and some of the complications of bipolar disorder can potentially impact the fetus. "The increased stress, as well as the change in hormones, can make one susceptible to either an episode of mania or depressive episode," says Leighya Richard, licensed mental health counselor, perinatal mental health counselor, and certified perinatal mental health professional with the Revive Mental Wellness Group. Richard suggests ensuring that all...

Schizophrenia and related disorders exist on a spectrum, meaning they feature a wide range of symptoms that can change over time. Schizophrenia was once broken down into five subtypes, but today, insights have led us to a new way of seeing schizophrenia as a spectrum. Schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder, and when many people hear the term "psychosis," they think of schizophrenia exclusively. But people can have episodes of psychosis in a variety of contexts and conditions. For instance, some people can develop psychosis after using certain substances, going through extreme stress, or during a mood episode in bipolar disorder. As researchers continue learning more about psychosis and the spectrum of schizophrenia, changes are being made in how it's diagnosed and treated. Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition that affects an estimated 24 million people or 1 in 300 people worldwide. When the condition is active, it can affect a person's thoughts, ...

Amanda LeClaire Untitled painting by Michael Francis Miller, featured in the exhibit Artists, faith leaders, mental health advocates and more are joining forces to help destigmatize how we discuss – and help – those suffering from mental illness. Looking for the Light is a series of panel discussions, an art exhibit and performances occurring through May 31 at Galerie Camille in Midtown Detroit and nearby locations. At the heart of the series is the artwork of Michael Francis Miller, a painter, poet and founding member of the beloved Detroit country-punk band Goober & the Peas. Miller passed away in 2001 of suicide, after years of courageously battling profound depression and schizophrenia. Miller's brother and bandmate, Dan John Miller, recently re-discovered the incredible paintings made by his brother during the 1980s and 1990s as his family was clearing the contents of their mother's basement. "I felt a need to honor my brother's creati...

The signs of bipolar disorder and autism can look similar, so how do you know which one you're experiencing? Bipolar disorder involves an array of symptoms that occur through episodes of high and low mood. You may transition from periods of agitation to times where you feel hopeless and can't concentrate. Some behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder — like irritability, slow social responsiveness, or excited talking — can appear similar to what happens during mood episodes of bipolar disorder. It's not always easy to know which condition is at hand. It could be bipolar disorder, autism — or both. No evidence indicates bipolar disorder causes autism or autism causes bipolar disorder. Research from 2018 does suggest these two conditions may share genetic expression patterns, and a 2016 study found genetic variants that can increase the chances of developing one or the other. Genetics may account for an overlap of symptoms and may also help explain why you may be ...

Schizophrenia affects the brain and can accelerate aging. But with treatment and self-care, it's possible to keep symptoms at bay. If you or a loved one lives with schizophrenia, you might wonder how the mental health condition will progress over time. Symptoms of schizophrenia typically appear in late adolescence or early adulthood, and it is not clear whether the condition can worsen throughout a person's lifetime. Learning how aging impacts the progression of the disorder can help you or your loved one better understand treatment options and how to manage the symptoms. People with schizophrenia often experience a distorted reality that impacts relationships, social functioning, and other daily activities like work. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) , these distortions can include: delusions hallucinations disorganized speech or movements trouble with thinking and motivation Data from several studies suggest that people with schizophrenia typically ...