A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in psychiatry and is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychiatric treatment may include pharmacotherapy and can also be combined with other therapeutic approaches, including psychotherapy.
The term mental disorders refers to a range of disturbances in behaviour, thought patterns, emotions, perception, and other mental processes, as well as difficulties in relationships with other people, which cause distress or impair an individual’s ability to function in daily life.
Depending on the specific condition, various symptoms may occur, contributing to discomfort in everyday life and emotional suffering.
The most common mental disorders include anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, specific phobias, and social anxiety disorder) and mood disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia). Among older adults, memory disorders are a frequent concern.
Approximately one-third of the population experiences insomnia at some point in their lives, and it is now considered one of the diseases associated with modern lifestyles. Another rapidly increasing health concern involves disorders caused by the use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and drugs, as well as addictions and behavioural dependencies.
Among the mental health conditions that have the greatest impact on well-being and daily functioning are so-called primary psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. Another increasin
Treatment of mental disorders
The treatment of mental health disorders involves combining various forms of support, particularly pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and environmental interventions.
Treatment may be provided through emergency care, outpatient care, day programmes, inpatient (hospital) care, community-based services, or residential and addiction treatment centres.
Treatment is provided by a psychiatrist, often with the support of a psychologist or psychotherapist. It may be a long-term process, and the choice of treatment approach depends on the type of condition. For example, disorders such as schizophrenia or severe depression may require pharmacotherapy, while anxiety disorders are primarily treated with psychotherapy.
It is important to emphasise that support from family and loved ones plays a significant role in the treatment of mental health disorders.
Prevention of mental health disorders
The prevention of mental health disorders is just as important as their treatment. Its aim is to reduce the likelihood of developing a disorder by minimising risks, addressing risk factors, and strengthening personal resources.
Mental health depends on many factors, including pace of life, vulnerability to stress, economic circumstances, and family or professional situation. Not all mental health disorders can be prevented; however, early detection and the start of appropriate treatment can help individuals maintain relatively stable functioning within society.
Understanding and following the principles below can help support and maintain good mental health:
- Maintaining a healthy balance between professional, family, and social life.
- Regular physical activity.
- A healthy diet (regular consumption of nutritious meals and maintaining proper hydration).
- Healthy sleep lasting 6–8 uninterrupted hours.
- Making time for relaxation and rest.
- Developing emotional and social skills, including effective stress management strategies.
- Developing communication skills (such as assertiveness) that support healthy interpersonal relationships.
Dementia
Dementia is a syndrome of symptoms caused by damage to and dysfunction of the brain, usually with a chronic or progressive course.
It affects memory, thinking, orientation, language functions, the ability to learn and acquire new information, and decision-making abilities. It can also lead to a loss of emotional control. Consciousness remains unaffected.
Dementia causes significant impairment of intellectual functions. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Schizophrenic disorders
Schizophrenia is one of the most serious mental health disorders. It affects the ability to think critically, perceive reality, express emotions, make decisions, and maintain relationships with others.
It affects approximately 1% of the population and occurs equally often in men and women. The first episode of the disorder most commonly develops during the second or third decade of life. Schizophrenia may appear suddenly or develop gradually. Despite the possibility of relapses, many people experience gradual improvement in their mental state and overall functioning.
The main factors contributing to the development of schizophrenia include genetic predisposition, social factors, neurochemical changes, and neuroanatomical changes.
During the course of schizophrenia, multiple psychological functions can become disrupted. The period of early warning signs may last for several years and involves disturbing changes in a person’s previous behaviour and well-being, such as withdrawal from social interactions, loss of interests, tension and irritability, concentration difficulties, and changes in sleep and appetite.
A person with schizophrenia may also experience positive symptoms (psychotic symptoms), including hallucinations, delusions, agitation, or periods of immobility, as well as negative symptoms, including disorganised speech and behaviour, reduced speech output, flattened affect, decreased motivation and drive, and social withdrawal.
Mood disorders (Affective disorders)
Mood disorders are among the most common mental health disorders. They affect approximately 15% of the population.
Affective disorders are characterised by pathological changes in mood, psychomotor activity, emotions, and the central regulation of biological rhythms.
The causes of affective disorders are multifactorial and include genetic, neurochemical, biological, psychological, and social factors.
Depression
Depression is characterised by persistent and prolonged low mood, accompanied by a reduced ability to experience pleasure, a negative pattern of thinking (pessimism), decreased activity levels, and disturbances in motivation and biological functions.
The most common symptoms of depression include:
- experiencing profound sadness and anxiety,
- reduced energy levels and psychomotor activity,
- increased fatigue,
- loss of interest and enjoyment,
- feelings of guilt,
- sleep and appetite disturbances.
Bipolar affective disorder (BAD)
Bipolar affective disorder (BAD) is characterised by the alternating occurrence of episodes of illness involving clearly marked mood disturbances: episodes of mania and depression. These episodes are usually separated by periods of relative wellbeing.
A manic episode is characterised by a significant elevation of mood, irritability, feelings of omnipotence, increased physical activity and talkativeness, a reduced need for sleep (the person may sleep only a few hours a day without feeling tired), a tendency to engage in reckless and risky behaviours, and increased sexual energy.
A depressive episode is the opposite of mania. It involves: low mood, reduced interest and ability to experience pleasure, decreased psychomotor activity, feelings of discouragement, increased fatigue, sleep and appetite disturbances, reduced libido, and difficulties with concentration and attention.
Anxiety disorders
Neurotic disorders (anxiety disorders) may take a variety of clinical forms. They include anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
The main factors contributing to the development of neurotic disorders include organic conditions or disturbances in psychological functioning, particularly in the emotional and cognitive domains.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety is a subconscious, non-objective, and often difficult-to-verbalise feeling of apprehension. A person experiencing anxiety may try to avoid situations or objects that are perceived as its source. They may experience a sense of threat, helplessness, tension, embarrassment, inner restlessness, irritability, rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, and difficulties with memory and concentration.
A phobia is a persistent and irrational fear that occurs in specific situations, such as contact with a particular object, person, phenomenon, or animal.
Common types of phobias include:
- agoraphobia – fear of open spaces or situations where escape may be difficult,
- claustrophobia – fear of enclosed spaces,
- haphephobia – fear of being touched,
- arachnophobia – fear of spiders,
- acrophobia – fear of heights,
- social phobia (social anxiety disorder) – fear of social situations and being judged or evaluated by others.
Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by obsessions and compulsions that cause distress and discomfort, take up a significant amount of time, and interfere with a person’s daily functioning.
Obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, images, or impulses. They appear repeatedly and in a stereotyped manner, leading to increased anxiety and emotional distress.
Compulsions are repetitive, stereotyped behaviours or mental acts performed according to specific rules or rituals. They are a response to obsessions and take the form of repeated, intentional compulsive actions (e.g., hand washing) or mental rituals (e.g., praying or counting).
Personality disorders
Personality refers to a set of traits, predispositions, and patterns of behaviour typical for a particular person. Personality begins to develop in childhood and is generally shaped by early adulthood. When this developmental process is disrupted, personality disorders may develop.
The main factors contributing to the development of personality disorders include genetic predispositions and environmental influences.
The following types of personality disorders are distinguished:
- Paranoid personality disorder – characterised by distrust, unjustified suspicion, a tendency to attribute hostile intentions to others, increased vigilance, readiness to defend oneself or attack, and a perception of oneself as flawless.
- Schizoid personality disorder – characterised by emotional detachment from others, indifference to the surrounding world, and difficulties forming interpersonal relationships.
- Schizotypal personality disorder – characterised by eccentric behaviour, unusual beliefs, and a tendency toward magical thinking.
- Borderline personality disorder – characterised by unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, a tendency toward self-harm and destructive behaviours (e.g., entering risky sexual relationships, substance misuse), chronic feelings of emptiness, and fear of imagined abandonment.
- Narcissistic personality disorder – characterised by an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a strong need for admiration, lack of empathy, and a tendency to use others to achieve personal goals.
- Histrionic personality disorder – characterised by a strong need to be the centre of attention, theatrical behaviour, and excessive focus on physical attractiveness.
- Antisocial personality disorder – characterised by a lack of guilt and disregard for the rights of others, a tendency toward persistent deception, impulsive behaviour, aggression, and conflicts with the law.
- Avoidant personality disorder – characterised by avoidance of social situations, feelings of inferiority and inadequacy, and heightened sensitivity to negative evaluation.
- Dependent personality disorder – characterised by an excessive need for care and support from others, difficulties making decisions independently, extreme submissiveness, and a tendency to rely on others’ wishes and opinions.
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) – characterised by excessive perfectionism, conscientiousness, preoccupation with details, order, rules, and control.