Did You Know... MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

* ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER or (ADHD)
* CONDUCT DISORDER & OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER or (ODD)
* BIPOLAR DISORDER
* ANXIETY DISORDERS
* AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS or (ASD)
* BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER or (BPD)
* SCHIZOPHRENIA
* DEPRESSION
* DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
* POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
* STRESS
* ANOREXIA NERVOSA
* BULIMIA NERVOSA
* AGORAPHOBIA
* ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
* BODY DYSMORPHIA DISORDER or (BDD)
* DEMENTIA
* MUNCHAUSEN’S SYNDROME
* SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER or (SAD)
*SHOCK
* HEALTH BULLETINS
* NYC YOUTH VITAL SIGNS

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE - People with Alzheimer's become forgetful, lose their memory and may become anxious and depressed. But there are ways to keep it at bay. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It occurs when brain tissue degeneration causes a progressive deterioration in mental functioning and ability. Memory and the ability to think clearly are gradually lost over time. There may be a change in personality. For example, someone who used to be a calm person may become agitated or upset more easily. Behavior problems and difficulties communicating may also occur. Those with severe Alzheimer's may find it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as dressing, washing and eating. As time passes they may not recognize people or their surroundings, so it's common for them to go for a walk and get lost. Other problems, such as depression, may also develop.

About 400,000 people in the UK are believed to have Alzheimer's disease. It's more likely to develop as people get older and affects up to one in five of those aged over 80. But it can affect younger people, with about seven in 100 people being affected by the age of 65.

Can it be prevented?

Although there is no definite way of preventing Alzheimer's there is some evidence that regular exercise, not being overweight, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure at normal levels, eating a healthy diet rich in the antioxidant vitamins C and E, and eating oily fish may help to prevent it. Drugs are available that may slow the loss of mental function in mild to moderate cases of Alzheimer's disease. Treatment can be given for problems such as depression. Techniques to aid memory, such as writing lists or reminders, can be helpful in the early stages. Support and help can be provided by social services for those with Alzheimer's disease and their carriers, but full-time residential care may become necessary in the later stages of the disease.