Posts Tagged ‘condition’

Schizophrenia Treatment

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Schizophrenia usually first appears in a person during their late teens or throughout their twenties. It affects more men than women, and is considered a life-long condition which rarely is “cured,” but rather treated. The primary treatment for schizophrenia and similar thought disorders is medication. Unfortunately, compliance with a medication regimen is often one of the largest problems associated with the ongoing treatment of schizophrenia. Because people who live with this disorder often go off of their medication during periods throughout their lives, the repercussions of this loss of treatment are acutely felt not only by the individual, but by their family and friends as well.

Successful treatment of schizophrenia, therefore, depends upon a life-long regimen of both drug and psychosocial, support therapies. While the medication helps control the psychosis associated with schizophrenia (e.g., the delusions and hallucinations), it cannot help the person find a job, learn to be effective in social relationships, increase the individual’s coping skills, and help them learn to communicate and work well with others. Poverty, homelessness, and unemployment are often associated with this disorder, but they don’t have to be. If the individual finds appropriate treatment and sticks with it, a person with schizophrenia can lead a happy and successful life. But the initial recovery from the first symptoms of schizophrenia can be an extremely lonely experience. Individuals coping with the onset of schizophrenia for the first time in their lives require all the support that their families, friends, and communities can provide. (more…)

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Sleep disorder, though PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) usually connected with RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome), but was it the same and got connection? PLMD is very similar to RLS. While RLS is a sensation in the legs and subsequent voluntary movement to avert the sensation, PLMD is involuntary, rhythmic limb movements, either while asleep or when awake. RLS disrupts sleep by delaying sleep; PLMD can disrupt sleep because of the constant limb movements. Many people with PLMD are not even aware of their symptoms until a bed partner brings it to their attention.

Question frequently occur is “Do people with RLS also have PLMD?” Most people who have Restless Legs Syndrome also have PLMD. However, the reverse is not true – only some people with PLMD also have RLS. See the resources below for more information about PLMD. (more…)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

ADHD which usually attacked school-aged children and the The debates surrounding it through the news media about the medical treatment, but the basics of ADHD remain unclear. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is a medical condition that affects areas of the brain responsible for controlling behavior, memory, thinking, and planning and organization, or “executive functioning”. Those living with the condition usually feel easily bored, distracted and unable to sit still. They may find it difficult to concentrate, plan ahead or finish simple assignments, creating problems with academic performance, social activities, and/or behavior. This in turn can lead to problems in school such as lowered self-esteem and depression due to being unable to perform at the same level as their peers. Many of us experience these issues from time to time, but that does not mean that we are all living with ADHD. The behavior will become marked and out of control, and can add stress to the individual and those around him/her, particularly parents, siblings, and teachers. (more…)

Down Syndrome

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Down syndrome is set of mental and physical symptoms that result from having an extra copy of Chromosome 21. Normally, a fertilized egg has 23 pairs of chromosomes. In most people with Down syndrome, there is an extra copy of Chromosome 21 (also called trisomy 21 because there are three copies of this chromosome instead of two), which changes the body’s and brain’s normal development.

Even though people with Down syndrome may have some physical and mental features in common, symptoms of Down syndrome can range from mild to severe. Usually, mental development and physical development are slower in people with Down syndrome than in those without the condition.

Mental retardation is a disability that causes limits on intellectual abilities and adaptive behaviors (conceptual, social, and practical skills people use to function in everyday lives). Most people with Down syndrome have IQs that fall in the mild to moderate range of mental retardation. They may have delayed language development and slow motor development. (more…)