Section A researchPsychological problems that can feature a psychological thriller

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Depression

Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a

wide variety of symptoms.

Symptoms: lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, losing

interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful.

Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.

There can be physical symptoms too; feeling constantly tired,

sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and complaining

of various aches and pains.

Treatment for depression involves either medication or talking

treatments (therapy), or usually the combination of the two.

Schizophrenia

It is a long-term mental health condition

Psychological symptoms: hallucinations (hearing or seeing

things that do not exist), delusions (unusual beliefs not based on

reality which often contradict the evidence), muddle thoughts

based on the hallucinations or delusions and changes in

behaviour.

Only 1 in 100 people get schizophrenia, and about 1 in 10 of

schizophrenic people have a parent with the illness.

For every 5 people with schizophrenia:

- 1 will get better within 5 years of their first obvious symptoms

- 3 will get better, but will have times when they get worse again

- 1 will have troublesome symptoms for long periods of time

Schizophrenia

Medication should:

- weaken delusions and/or hallucinations gradually, over a

period of a few weeks

- help thoughts to be clearer

- increase motivation and ability to look after one’s self –

although too much/the wrong medication can have the

opposite effect

Medication are taken as tablets, capsules or syrup.

Tablets can be taken several times a day whilst some only

need to be taken once a day.

Bipolar

AKA ‘manic depression’

A condition that affects your moods, which can swing from

one extreme to another.

Those with bipolar disorder will have periods or ‘episodes’

of:

- depression – where you feel very low and lethargic

- mania – where you feel very high and overactive (less

severe mania is known as hypomania)

Episodes can often last for several weeks or months

Bipolar

Symptoms of depression episode:- feeling sad and hopeless- lacking energy- difficulty concentrating and remembering things- loss of interest in everyday activities- feelings of emptiness or worthlessness- feelings of guilt and despair- feeling pessimistic about everything- self-doubt- being delusional, having hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking- lack of appetite- difficulty sleeping- waking up early- suicidal thoughts

Bipolar

Symptoms of mania episodes:- feeling very happy, elated or overjoyed- talking very quickly- feeling full of energy- feeling self-important- feeling full of great new ideas and having important plans- being easily distracted- being easily irritated or agitated- being delusional, having hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking- not feeling like sleeping- not eating- doing things that often have disastrous consequences- making decisions or saying things that are out of character and that others see as being risky or harmul

Bipolar

Treatment:

- medication (mood stabilisers) – lithium carbonate,

anticonvulsant medicines (valproate, carbamazepine,

lamotrigine), antipsychotic medicines (aripiprazole,

olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)

- learning to recognise the triggers and signs

- psychological treatment – talking therapy to help deal

with depression and to give advice about how to improve

your relationships

- lifestyle advice