The mind is a complicated jumble of wires, controlled by a careful balance of chemicals and greatly influenced by every life experience. When those wires get crossed, the balance is lost or life happens in a way to change you forever, there’s little predicting how it will affect the individual.

While this list gives some common symptoms that can point you to getting help, it is by no means complete. Some people even experience the opposite of certain symptoms, which can make diagnosis even more difficult. Many of these disorders also appear together, with varying degrees of severity.

	What does it look like?	How is it treated?
DEPRESSION	A constant low, unable to feel life’s pleasures Feelings of despair, helplessness, worthlessness and self-hatred Trouble sleeping, concentrating or remembering Loss of appetite and sex drive, headaches or fatigue	Therapy, which can be provided by any number of professionals Antidepressants, prescribed by a doctor
BIPOLAR DISORDER	Extended highs followed by extended lows, lasting from weeks to months During highs Hyperactivity, irritability or extreme happiness Impulsive decision making and inability to imagine consequences During lows Extreme pessimism, unexplained crying Feelings of loneliness, anxiety and other symptoms common to depression	Therapy, especially those that bring in the individuals family Mood stabilizers (especially lithium) or anticonvulsants (also used to treat epilepsy)
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)	Common flashbacks to or nightmares about a trauma Trouble falling or staying asleep Problems concentrating, easily startled or constantly alert	Cognitive behavioural therapy
ANXIETY DISORDER	Anything from phobias to obsessive compulsive disorder Inexplicable feelings of varying severity, from nervousness to terror and panic May have a variety of physical repercussions Eating or sleeping disorders Fatigue, irritability or muscle tension	Therapy, especially cognitive behavioural therapy Medications, although finding the best type and dosage may take time Regular exercise and healthy eating can help a great deal
SCHIZOPHRENIA	Positive symptoms Hallucinations (usually auditory) Delusions and disconnection from reality Disconnected thought patterns Negative symptoms Few or flat emotions Lack of interest in forming or maintaining relationships	Antipsychotic medication, although often not useful in treating negative symptoms Counselling and family support
AUTISM SPECTRUM	Difficulty communicating or socializing, sensory overstimulation, repetitive tendencies Occasionally seen with a natural ability for music, art or numbers, known as savantism	Individualized treatment and management depends on exact symptoms and severity
PSYCHOPATHY/SOCIOPATHY	Little or no empathy for others Lack of interest in socializing or extreme self-interest Absence of, or indifference to, social and moral norms	Education on the personal benefits of prosocial behaviour

 

If you feel out of control of yourself, or if you're experiencing some of these symptoms and are worried, remember that Fanshawe offers counselling services and you can always talk to your doctor. How you experience these disorders is unique to you, and patience is often required to find the right treatment for you. The important thing is to be honest with yourself and know that getting help is an act of courage, not weakness. You are not alone.

References

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-signs-and-symptoms.htm

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/index.shtml

http://depressiond.org/sociopath-sociopathic-personality-disorder