• Cognition (thinking patterns)

• Behavior (avoidance, rituals, isolation)

• Biological systems (brain chemistry & stress hormones)

• Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)

• Sweating/chills

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

• Muscle tension or aches

• Headaches

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Taking Exams or Tests: Feeling tense, distracted, or unable to focus because you’re worried about failing.

• Meeting New People: Feeling shy, uneasy, or worried about being judged or not fitting in.

• Financial Concerns: Worrying about bills, budgeting, or unexpected expenses causing ongoing stress.

• Parenting Challenges: Anxiety about the health, safety, or well-being of children, especially during stressful times.

• Racing or pounding heart

• Sweating

• Trembling or shaking

• Shortness of breath or choking feeling

• Dizziness or weakness

• Chest pain

• Numb or tingling hands

• Stomach upset or nausea

People with bipolar disorder often experience periods of extremely "up," elated, irritable, or energized behavior and very "down," sad, indifferent, or hopeless periods, which are known as depressive episodes.

These include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Panic disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

This connection can manifest in several ways, including anxiety worsening both mania and depression, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging.

Individuals who have a combination with a mood disorder are associated with an increased risk of suicide and psychosocial dysfunction.

• more mixed manic and depressive episodes

• an increase in the severity of mood episodes

• medication resistance

• a greater risk of substance use

• medication side effects

• more psychological distress

• poorer quality of life

Some symptoms suggest a person may have co-occurring anxiety. They include:

• A persistent, intense feeling of nervousness: Includes worry, anxiety, and panic attacks. A person may also avoid taking part in activities.

• Sleep and anxiety problems: People may find they have issues sleeping even when they are not in a manic state. They may feel persistently anxious despite receiving treatment.

• History of symptoms: Some people may have lived with anxiety and bipolar disorder symptoms from childhood and adolescence.

Medication

These medications treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

• Mood stabilizer

• Antipsychotic medication

Medication used to treated for anxiety

• Antidepressants

They are effective, but a doctor may prescribe a very low dose to avoid triggering a manic episode.

Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Teaches people to recognize patterns that can affect their behaviors and moods

Family therapy

Family therapy can help both the individual and their family members

• reduce stress within a family unit

It is important that people try to alleviate stressors as much as possible

Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy

Teaches people to record their moods and activities so they can plan for and effectively manage disruptions to their routine.

• keeping a steady social rhythms

• forming habits to help stabilize mood

Anorexia Nervosa

• Intense fear of gaining weight

• Extremely restricted calorie intake

• Distorted body image

• Purging, then forcibly vomiting

• Excessive exercise

• Obsessively hyperfixated on food

Bulimia Nervosa

• Bingeing episodes until painfully full

• Forced vomiting

• Fasting

• Use of laxatives, diuretics, and enemas

• Gut irritation

• Imbalanced levels of electrolytes

Binge Eating Disorder

• Eating large amounts of food rapidly in secret.

• Bingeing despite not feeling hungry.

• Waves of intense feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, and distress after bingeing.

• At higher risks of strokes, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Pica

• Eating things that are not considered food or have little to no nutritional value.

• At higher risk of poisoning, infections, gut injuries, and nutritional deficiencies.

Rumination Disorder

• Routinely regurgitates their food about 30 minutes after eating it, rechews it, and either re-swallows it or spits it out.

• Adults with this disorder may restrict the amount of food they eat in public.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

• Lack of interest in eating due to a distaste for certain smells, tastes, colors, textures, and or temperatures.

• Avoidance of foods prevents the sufficient amount of calories or nutrients needed.

• weight loss or poor development for age and height.

• nutrient deficiencies, or dependence on supplements or tube feeding.

Eating disorders can take a serious toll on your mental health. Eating disorders are often associated or the cause of other mental disorders, such as depression, body dysmorphia, anxiety disorder, substance abuse, etc.

Eating disorders can also have a severe physical effect on the body. For example, problems associated with anorexia include anemia, constipation, osteoporosis, and even damage to the heart and brain. Bulimia can result in a sore throat, worn-away tooth enamel, acid reflux, severe dehydration, and intestinal distress. People with binge eating disorder may develop high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other problems associated with obesity.

• Psychotherapy: CBT is commonly used to help change harmful thoughts and behaviors. Therapy may be individual, group, or family-based.

• Medications: Antidepressants or other medications can treat co-occurring issues like anxiety or depression.

• Nutrition Counseling: A registered dietitian helps develop healthy eating habits and meal plans.

Levels of Care

• Outpatient: Weekly sessions.

• Intensive Outpatient (IOP): Therapy several times a week.

• Inpatient/Residential: 24/7 support for severe cases.

Therapy Experience
Therapy can be challenging, but it is essential for healing. It’s normal to feel vulnerable; your care team is there to support you. Even without a diagnosis, seeking help for food-related issues is encouraged.

Symptoms of schizophrenia occur in late adolescence or early adulthood. These symptoms include:

Positive symptoms: hallucinations, paranoia, and exaggerated or distorted perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors.

Negative symptoms: impaired emotional expressions, decreased speech, reduced social desire, lack of motivation, and decreased experience of pleasure.

Disorganized symptoms: confused/disorganized speech, trouble with thinking, and abnormal behavior or movements.

Genetic: family history

Environmental: prenatal and obstetric risks (maternal infections, maternal stress, malnutrition can affect fetal brain development, prenatal infections, and delivery complications), psychological stressors, and cannabis/psychoactive drug use.

Neurobiological: neurotransmitter dysfunction in dopamine and glutamate systems, and brain structural changes.

• Second-generation antipsychotics (ex. Aripiprazole, Asenapine, Brexpiprazole, Cariprazine, Clozapine, etc.)

• First-generation antipsychotics (ex. Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol, Perphenazine, etc.)

• Long-acting injectable antipsychotics are given as a long-acting shot into the muscle, usually given every 2-4 weeks (ex. Paliperidone, Risperidone, etc.)

Once symptoms ease, patients should continue medication but also start psychosocial treatments:

• Individual therapy

• Social skills training

• Family therapy

• Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment

Those with schizophrenia need help and support in everyday life. There are also many resources to help with jobs, housing, self-help groups, and crisis situations.

In some severe symptom situations, people may need to stay in a hospital for safety.

Coping with a severe mental disorder like schizophrenia can be extremely difficult for those with the condition and their family and friends. Here are some coping strategies:

• Building trust/strong relationship with the treatment team

• Learn more about the condition

• Increase your sleep

• Focus on goals

• Stay away from drugs and alcohol

• Reach out to social services

• Learn relaxation and stress management methods

• Join a support group

• Normal: You like things tidy

• OCD: You wash your hands 30 times a day, fearing illness, even though you know it's Excessive.

Example 2: Rigid Routines

• Normal: You have a routine

• OCD: You feel something bad will happen if you don't follow the exact routine step-by-step.

• Fear of germs or contamination

• Unwanted aggressive or taboo thoughts

• Need for things to be in perfect order

• Boubts (fear of forgetting to lock the door)

Compulsions (Repetitive behaviors)

• Excessive cleaning of locks, appliances, etc.

• Counting or tapping rituals

• Arranging things in a precise way

Normal OCD: You check the stove once or twice before leaving the house.

Mild OCD: You wash your hands 8-10 times daily because you're scared of germs, but can still function in daily life.

Severe OCD: You wash your hands for hours, avoiding people or working out of fear of contamination.

• Focuses on changing thinking and behavior patterns

• ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention): Helps reduce compulsions by gradually exposing patients to their fears.

Medication

• SSELs (fluoxetine, sertraline) help regulate brain chemicals

Lifestyle Strategies

• Sleep, exercise, and mindfulness

• Support from friends and family

Mild Ocd: Weekly therapy medication helps reduce rituals like checking light switches repeatedly.

Severe OCD: Person attends intrusive therapy, uses medications, and still struggles with everyday tasks-but begins showing progress.

• Track symptoms and triggers in a journal

• Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques

• Follow a consistent sleep therapy

• Uses apps like NOCD for digital therapy

Family & Friends Support:

• Be patient and nonjudgmental

• Help without enabling rituals

• Encouraging treatment and celebrating progress

• OCD uses anxiety to "Fuel" the obsession and compulsions.

• The rituals are not enjoyable - they are done to prevent or reduce anxiety.

• It's different from regular anxiety disorders like GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), but they often co-occur.