Hearing voices in your head is not that unusual—many people hear voices and think nothing of it. But if the voices inside your head are disturbing, or they are telling you to do things that go against what you believe in, you may be suffering from a form of schizophrenia referred to as paranoid schizophrenia. […]

What is paranoid schizophrenia? Paranoid schizophrenia is a sub-type of schizophrenia, a serious mental health disorder affecting around 0.5% of the global population. The DSM-IV contains five sub-types of schizophrenia and paranoid is one of them. Ask any person on the street: what is paranoid schizophrenia and they will probably conjure up an image of […]

Is depression a disease or a disorder? The jury is still out on that one as the debate in psychological circles continues to rage on. Although in the one camp, many psychologists believe depression is a physical illness, others remain unconvinced, despite the fact some research studies have indicated that the symptoms of depression can […]

Summer is traditionally a time of good cheer. We look forward to the endless days of sunshine and balmy temperatures, and the annual family holiday somewhere hot, but for a small minority, depression and irritability kicks in as soon as the days lengthen and the mercury begins to climb, so what is summer seasonal affective […]

What are the narcissistic personality disorder treatment guidelines? A person with narcissistic personality disorder is, amongst other things, extremely self involved. They are not easy to live with as they constantly seek attention and exaggerate their own achievements. Sadly there is not yet a cure for narcissistic personality disorder, but psychologists are able to use […]

The symptoms of schizophrenia can either come on very slowly (insidious onset), which or more common, or very rapidly whereby patients experience a full-blown acute episode with very few early warning signs. Early schizophrenia symptoms are referred to as “prodomal” and can be present for many years prior to the onset of the illness, but […]

If you have ever watched a depressing movie set in the far northern hemisphere where the dark winters seem to last forever, you can probably see a connection between a lack of sunlight and depression, but it is actually a well-known scientific fact that not enough exposure to sunlight can lead to a low mood […]

It is not uncommon to feel a bit fed up over the winter. The weather is cold and miserable and our mood seems to drop as the days shorten, leaving us flat and lacking in motivation. What makes things worse is leaving the house in darkness, spending all day in an artificially lit office, and […]

A paranoid schizophrenic suffers from delusions and hallucinations and if he or she is left untreated, the illness can cause significant social problems whereby the patient becomes a risk to themselves and others. The symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia normally begin in early adulthood and are often accompanied by related conditions such as depression and anxiety […]

Sundowners syndrome affects the elderly and those in the early or advanced stages of dementia. It is a state of confusion and disorientation that typically occurs in the late afternoon and early evening, hence the name, and is considered to be a form of mood or sleep disorder. What causes Sundowners syndrome? The exact cause […]