A delusion is a psychotic disorder where an individual has a fixed belief in an incorrect perception of reality. The most common delusions are: The risk of delusional disorder in the general population is estimated between 0.05% to 0.1% and affects individuals from the age of 18 years to 90 years [1]. The persecutory and…
Hallucinations are due to many causes that are associated with the type of hallucination. The most common causes are: More information on the different types of hallucinations and their causes are provided below. 1- How Do You Know If You Hallucinate? If an individual is hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and feeling (touch) things that are…
A mood disorder is an emotional state or mood characterized by inconsistency or swings in expressing emotions such as sadness, irritability, aggressivity, impulsivity, and excessive happiness. In the US, it was estimated that about 21.4 % of adults would experience a mood disorder in their life [1]. In the UK, it was estimated that 1…
Being hungry is natural and can be due to increased physical activity or pregnancy. However, an increased appetite over a long period of time could be a result of mental health disorders or diseases: I. Hunger and Mental Disorders 1- Hunger, Stress, and Anxiety The link between appetite, stress, and anxiety is associated with the…
Emotionally unstable personality disorder or borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder that affects impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self-image. BPD is characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsive aggression, repeated self-injury, and chronic suicidal tendencies. The prevalence of BPD is estimated to be 1.6% in the general population and 20% in the inpatient psychiatric population [1]. It…
Schizophrenia is a complex and severe mental health disorder that is classified as a type of psychosis. It is characterized by significant alterations in thoughts, perception, mood, and behaviors. The causes are not well known; however, it was suggested that the causes may be associated with a cognitive decline due to alterations in brain development,…
Energy drinks are one of the most consumed dietary supplements that are popular among men between the ages of 18-34 years and teens between the ages of 12-17 years. They contain large amounts of caffeine, sugars, taurine, B vitamins, glucuronolactone, carnitine, ginseng, Yohimbe, and bitter orange. Although energy drinks may enhance alertness and improve reaction…
Dizziness is a common feeling of being light-headed and unsteady that is not generally associated with a serious condition. Large population-based studies reported that dizziness affects around 15% to 20% of adults yearly. It is prevalent in women and its frequency increases with age [1]. What Are the Causes of Dizziness? The common causes of dizziness…
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression characterized by major depressive episodes in the fall/winter and remissions in spring/summer. The symptoms include persistent low mood, lack of interest, irritability, lack of energy, irritability, longer hours of sleep, withdrawal from social situations, and craving for carbohydrates. It is estimated that 1-10% of the…
Fear is a primitive human emotion that is caused by specific threat-related stimuli leading to adaptive behaviors aimed at preventing or coping with that threat. The central organ that controls and regulates fear is the amygdala, an almond chapped structure located deep within the brain’s temporal lobes. What Is the Function of the Amygdala in…
