Students with Psychiatric Disabilities

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Below some of the more commonly diagnosed psychiatric illnesses are described briefly.

Major Depression: Some characteristics of major depression can include a persistent sad or anxious mood, feelings of sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, thoughts of suicide, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of guilt, an increase or decrease in appetite, and persistent physical symptoms such has headaches and nausea.

Bipolar Disorder: This disorder is characterized by the alteration between two states: mania and depression. It is also often called manic-depressive disorder. In the manic phase, individuals may experience an inflated self-esteem, a decreased need to sleep, inappropriate irritability, grandiose notions, poor judgment, inappropriate social behavior, and disconnected and racing thoughts. In the depressive phase, individuals may experience any of the characteristics associated with a diagnosis of depression.

Anxiety Disorder: This can be diagnosed as either a generalized anxiety disorder or a panic disorder. Symptoms can include changes in sleep patterns, rapid heart rate, dizziness and fainting, tremors, tension, and general uneasiness. People with anxiety disorders often seem to be unable to relax. They may focus on mistakes, worries, regrets, or potential future problems.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Individuals with this disorder think thoughts or behave in ways they do not want to. They cannot control their behavior despite recognizing that the behavior is bizarre, unhealthy, irrational, or illegal. Individuals may not always act out obsessive thoughts but the thoughts disturb the person and prevent them from functioning in daily life. Compulsive behavior is repetitive and ritualistic in nature, and although perceived as bizarre, seems purposeful.

Schizophrenia: This mental illness is categorized as a psychotic disorder. Schizophrenia is characterized by extreme distortions of reality and a loss of contact with the environment. Some characteristics include a retreat from reality, emotional blunting, and disturbed thinking. All of these characteristics can vary in severity within individuals. Individuals may experience hallucinations, delusions, withdrawal, loss of self-control, and bizarre behavior. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is very serious and ultimately can affect all functional areas of an individual's life.