Paranoia

Paranoid Disorder is also called Delusional Disorder because the one major symptom is a persistent delusion. Mental health experts have identified some of the more common delusions, which include delusions of persecution, jealousy and self-importance. Persecution delusions are the most common and are characterized by feelings that you are being spied upon, conspired against, cheated, and even drugged or poisoned. Delusional jealousy is the feeling, without just cause, that your loved one is unfaithful. People with this delusion will often confront their loved ones with imagined evidence of infidelity. Sometimes, the person will even physically attack his or her loved one. Delusions of self-importance, also called delusions of grandeur, are typically feelings that one has some great, but unrecognized ability of talent. These individuals believe they are important, even exalted beings, and sometimes the delusion has a religious aspect. Delusional disorders generally develop in middle or later adult life. The disorder can be of short or long duration. But even in cases where the delusion goes on for a long time, the person's concern with the delusion waxes and wanes. Paranoid disorders rarely impair the person's daily functioning or intellectual and occupational abilities. However, the person's marital and social relationships are typically damaged, partly because those close to them are often targets of the delusions.

Depression: Causes and Symptoms

Everybody gets the blues now and then - but for millions of Americans, depressive illnesses are more serious than that. They are persistent, recurring conditions that can interfere with a person's ability to sleep, eat, and hold a job and can last for weeks or months at a time. A depressed person almost always feels sad. It becomes difficult to feel any pleasure in life and the person can even become suicidal. Other symptoms include feelings of hopelessness and guilt, loss of interest in normal activities, reduced sex drive, changes in eating habits, insomnia, restlessness and poor concentration. Another form of the disorder is manic-depression in which a person swings between excessive euphoria and depression. There are biological and psychological causes for both types. Depressed people have unusual brain chemistry patterns. Some forms of depression run in families. On the psychological side of the coin, depression tends to show up in people who have low-self esteem and a pessimistic outlook. An episode of depression is often triggered by a serious loss, a chronic illness, or a financial problem. The treatment usually involves both anti-depression medications and psychotherapy, and often is very effective.