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Articles on Mental disorders

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The cognitive difficulties that accompany mental health disorders can potentially lead to misdiagnoses and improper treatment. Elva Etienne/Moment via Getty Images

Mental health problems come with an added ‘cost’ of poorer cognitive function – a neuropsychologist explains

While only about 20% of people would qualify for a formal diagnosis of a mental disorder, more than 60% express symptoms of those disorders – and those symptoms can lead to cognitive difficulties.
People with depression experience symptoms that affect their mood, cognitive function and physical health. from www.shutterstock.com

Depression: it’s a word we use a lot, but what exactly is it?

Understanding of depression has advanced significantly since the first diagnostic criteria were introduced in the 1980s, but we still lack clear consensus on how this mental disorder should be explained.
Mariah Carey recently announced she has bipolar II disorder. Most of us won’t know what that means. AAP/Alba Vigaray

Mood and personality disorders are often misconceived: here’s what you need to know

Media portrayals don’t help misconceptions about disorders such as bipolar, schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder. So what do these terms actually mean?
Rates of co-occurring substance use and mental disorders are particularly high among marginalised groups such as homeless people. glowcake Berlin/Flickr

The perfect storm: alcohol, drugs, and depression

Robin Williams’ death earlier this week has unleashed an outpouring of grief. It’s undeniable that Williams brought much joy and laughter to the world, but he also talked openly about his depression and…
Do I really have to take these? Child with pills. djedzura/Shutterstock

Problem behaviour in children is not always a mental disorder

Children are increasingly being given drugs by doctors to help teachers and parents cope with their troublesome behaviour. Certain behaviours or actions by children, such as not sitting still, are being…
Not just a scholarly toy. pennstatelive

You can’t dismiss brain imaging as just an academic gimmick

Given the media coverage brain imaging studies get, you might think that they are constantly revealing important secrets about this mysterious organ. Catherine Loveday thinks otherwise. She makes the point…

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