Mental illnesses and disorders: awareness and understanding

Up to 11 percent of American kids have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The disorder can make getting along at home very difficult, and getting through the school day even worse. Fortunately, there are ways to treat this issue and start living a more normal day-to-day life. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet it's all too common for kids to feel like they are alone with their problems. Whether you're...

Everybody feels anxious sometimes; it's just part of being human. But for some people, those nervous feelings never go away. When anxiety gets so bad that it stops people from doing the things they want to do, it could be an anxiety disorder. Fortunately, there are lots of things people can do to feel better. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet it's all too common for kids to feel like they are alone with their problems....

We all have "down" days as well as happier days. For people with a bipolar disorder, feelings of sadness and happiness can be more extreme. There is an alternation between feeling very "up" and very "down." It can feel like their moods are in control of them. Fortunately, there are ways to treat this disorder and feel more balanced. The lives of millions of kids are affected by mental illness. And yet it's all too common for kids to feel like they...

We all have moments when we want to lash out in anger. As we grow up, we learn how to control such feelings and avoid hurting others. But sometimes people can't get these feelings under control. Disruptive behavior disorders can be very difficult to live with, and the disorders also present huge challenges to friends and family members. With help, however, people can learn to get along in the world more easily. The lives of millions of kids are affected...

It is normal for people to feel insecure about their bodies sometimes; nobody is perfect. For some people, however, body image can become an obsession, leading to a possible eating disorder. Not eating at all or eating too much are both eating disorders when they occur on a regular basis. Eating disorders are both physical and mental conditions. Thankfully, treatment is available, helping sufferers lead healthier lives. The lives of millions of kids...

Terrible things happen sometimes. Unfortunately, the traumas in our past don't always stay in the past. Traumatic experiences can cause anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks that can last for months or years. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental condition that is difficult for any person to deal with. But PTSD can be treated, lessening the symptoms associated with this frightening disorder. The lives of millions of kids are affected by...

Humans spend about a third of their lives asleep. But every once in a while, anxious thoughts can keep us from dozing off. It happens to us all from time to time. But for some people, not being able to sleep is a constant problem. Other people, meanwhile, sleep way too much. Sleep disorders can be harmful both mentally and physically for the person who is suffering. Fortunately, there is treatment that can allow your body to return to a regularly...