ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common childhood disorders that can continue into adulthood. Some of its prominent symptoms include:

There is no clear cut cause of ADHD but many studies suggest that genes play a large role. Symptoms of ADHD appear at an early age and it’s important that parents and teachers look out for these symptoms and report them if they are present as these symptoms can hamper a child’s ability to do well in school and everyday life.

Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a type of brain disorder that is characterized by unusual shifts in mood and behavior. People suffering from bipolar disorder usually experience episodes of intense emotional states. An overly happy emotional state is referred to as a manic episode and an overly sad or hopeless state is referred to as a depressive episode. Symptoms of bipolar disorder usually develop in an individual’s late teen years or early adult years. Bipolar disorder can be treated with medication and people with bipolar disorder can lead healthy and happy lives.

Anxiety: People usually get anxious when faced with a difficult situation. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. However, when anxiety becomes excessive and starts to interfere with one’s daily life, it becomes a disabling disorder. Anxiety Disorder can be broken down into different types that encompass Panic disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, and Social phobias.

Panic Disorder: Panic disorder is characterized by sudden attacks of terror, a sense of unreality, and a fear of losing control. Physically, the person suffering the attack may feel weak, dizzy, or even sweaty. Panic attacks may occur at any time. They typically last for about ten minutes but can continue on longer.

OCD - Obsessive-Compulsive disorder is characterized by persistent negative thoughts that are controlled by repetitive rituals. For example, a person obsessed with germs may repetitively wash their hands. Other repetitive rituals include constantly checking doors to make sure they’re locked, checking the stove multiple times to make sure it’s off, or organizing and reorganizing things in search of perfection. Unlike healthy people who also carry out rituals, people with OCD differ because these rituals often end up controlling them and interfere daily life.

Social Phobias - Social phobias are characterized by feelings of excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations and a chronic fear that they are being watched and judged by others. People diagnosed with a social phobia may worry about mundane situations for weeks at a time. They constantly feel overwhelmed and nervous about situations. Physically, they experience sweating, trembling, nausea, and difficulty talking. Social phobias are often successfully treated with medication and psychotherapy.