What is mental illness?

4 May 2021

It refers to a series of conditions that alter the mind, causing abnormalities in mood, emotions, thoughts, and behavior, which may be temporary or chronic, affecting to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the case, the relationship with others and everyday activities.

There are various mental disorders:

Eating disorders.
Anxiety.
Bipolarity.
Depression.
Gender dysphoria.
Dissociative.
Elimination.
Schizophrenia.
Phobias.
Neurocognitive.
Obsessive-compulsive.
Personality.
Post-traumatic.
Related to alcohol, drugs, and other addictions.

Multiple factors can trigger a mental illness, including genetic, family, biological, and psychosocial aspects.

Signs and symptoms Mental illness

The symptoms vary depending on the type of mental disorder in question, as well as the factors and circumstances, but the most common include:

Alcohol and/or drug abuse.
Social isolation.
Apathy.
Changes in eating habits.
Extreme tiredness, lack of energy, and sleep disturbances.
Confusion and lack of focus.
Hallucinations.
Paranoia.
Sexual dysfunctions.
Mood swings.
Rage and violence fits.
Fears or feelings of guilt.
Suicidal thoughts.
Sadness.

Sometimes, mental illness symptoms can also be physical, causing headaches, low back pain, and stomach pain, among others. If mental illness is not treated early, it can lead to emotional, physical, and behavioral problems, including:

Drug, alcohol, and/or tobacco abuse.
Social isolation.
Dropping school and jobs.
Suicide.
Family problems.
Weakened immune system.
Apathy and discouragement.
Couple conflicts.
Cardiovascular diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment Mental illness

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination, laboratory tests, and a psychological evaluation.

The indicated treatment will depend on the cause, severity, and symptoms, but, in general, it consists of the administration of a combination of drugs and psychological therapies with a specialized medical team.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Nervous system specialties

Neurology
Neurosurgery
Spine surgery
Pediatric neurosurgery
Neurophysiology
Neuro-rehabilitation
Neuro-pathology
Interventional neuro-radiology
Neuropsychology
Neuro-oncology
Neuro-otology
Epilepsy
Neuro-ophthalmology
Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Mental illness

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

mayocilinic.org
medlineplus.gov
msdmanuals.com
acreba.org
topdoctors.es
medigraphic.com
Mora-Ríos J, Ortega-Ortega M. Perceived Devaluation and Discrimination toward mental illness Scale (PDDs): Its association with sociodemographic variables and interpersonal contact in a Mexican sample. Salud Mental. 2021;44(2):75-82.
Perera MLS, Aguilar HI, Vázquez AJL. La salud mental: una necesidad impostergable de atención integral. Revista de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. 2019;26(1):105-111.
Rizo MLE, Guevara PMÁ, Hernández GM, et al. A preliminary study of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms in female adolescents maltreatment victims in Mexico. Salud Mental. 2018;41(3):139-144.
Massa LE. Duelo patológico, tratamiento con psicoterapia narrativa. Rev Elec Psic Izt. 2017;20(1):321-337.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is mental illness?

Signs and symptoms Mental illness

Diagnosis and treatment Mental illness

Related centers and departments Mental illness

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Mental illness