Q. What are the signs and symptoms of psychological illnesses?
1) Problems with concentration, memory or ability to think clearly. 2) Changes in eating such as loss of appetite or overeating. 3) Changes in sleeping patterns 4) Feeling overly worried 5) Feeling sad, empty, hopeless or worthless 6) Sensitivity to sounds, sight, smell or touch 7) Irritability and restlessness 8) Loss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable, withdrawal from others, or disconnection 9) Feeling like your brain is playing tricks on you. Hearing, knocking or scratching sounds or name being called. 10) Changes in energy level.
Signs & Symptoms that require immediate attention
-Thoughts or plans of killing or hurting one’s self or another person. -Hearing voices or seeing things that no one else can hear or see. -Unexplainable changes in thinking, speech or writing. -Being overly suspicious or fearful. -A serious drop in school or work performance. -Sudden personality changes that are bizarre or out of character.
Q. Is medication the only way of treating psychological problems?
A. No, Counselling and psychotherapy are usually the first lines of management especially for mild to moderate symptoms. For severe psychiatric illness, medications are used along with counseling and psychotherapy.
Q. Are Psychiatric medications ‘sleeping pills’?
A. No, psychiatric medications are not sleeping pills. They lead to a change in the mood and behavior of the patient. Some medications lead to sleep and are used in those patients who find difficulty in sleeping.
Q. Do I have to take medications lifelong?
A. No depending on the nature of the psychological problems, medications are continued for a specific duration of time.
Q. Can patients with psychiatric problems lead a normal life?
A. Majority of the psychiatric illness improve with medications & psychotherapy. Patients can work productively and have a socially satisfying life with the help of proper treatment.
Q. In which age group are psychological problems common?
A. Psychological problems can happen to anyone irrespective of age, gender, class or economic status. The onset of psychological issues usually starts in the age group of 10-25 years (adolescents and young adults).
