Neurological disorders and psychiatric disorders are a concept of brain abnormality. We know who to see when facing a cold and flu, a physician. What if there are some issues with the heart, a cardiologist. Okay, who to visit if an allergy occurs on the skin, a dermatologist, right! But, there comes a question, who will resolve disorganization happening in the brain? Yes, a brain.
We have the answer. Keep reading to have a full and easy description of this complicated disorder.
We just need to know what neurological and psychological disorders are. Do they differ or are they the same?
Neurological vs Psychiatric disorders
Neurological disorders– neurological conditions are developed due to biochemical or structural abnormalities. It affects the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. These conditions can be genetic, inborn, injury to the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
Neurological conditions include- Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, ADD, ALS, stroke, and many more. Symptoms with these conditions are slurred speech, loss of vision, forgetfulness, difficulty using body parts like hand & feet, paralysis, etc.
Psychiatric conditions- this condition can be developed due to biological problems, stressful life, traumatic incidents, or genetics. Abnormal thoughts, feelings, mood disorders can turn the patient into functionally impaired.
Psychiatric conditions include anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, sexual disorders, depression, and addictive disorders.
Symptoms with these conditions are extreme fatigue, down feeling, change in sex drive, extreme sense of fear, guilt, anger, suicidal thinking, confusion, and more.
Description of neurological conditions mentioned above
- Parkinson’s disease this neurological disorder develops due to disturbed nervous system. Tremors in limbs are common in this disease. Other symptoms are difficulty eating, speech and writing change, sleep disorders, cognitive and behavioural changes, etc. our brain produces dopamine which controls the movements. Due to less production, movements become slower and difficult due to rigid muscles.
- Stroke this disease is of three types: ischemic stroke which occurs due to fat deposit in the lining blood vessel (it narrows the vessels). It lessens the blood supply to the brain; next, break or burst off weakened blood vessels causing bleeding into the brain. Gradually brain cells start to die and tissue damages; the last type is a ministroke which indicates the risk of the next stroke.
Experts categorize it as a curable disease. One should not ignore the symptoms. American Stroke Association, ASA, says the FAST rule is the technique to recognize the symptoms.
What is the FAST rule?
F- Face drooping
A- Arm weakness
S- Speech difficulty
T- Time to call help
- Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune dysfunction. The immune system attacks the body’s tissues, myelin. Myelin is a fatty substance coated on the nerves as an outer cover of electric wires. When the outer cover of these wires is damaged it affects the efficiency of the wires. The same is the case with MS, damaged myelin slows down or blocks the signal sent by nerves to the brain. Symptoms for MS are numb feeling, paralysis, pain, memory issues, imbalance, dizziness and vertigo.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease. It weakens the muscles to the extent that it stops functioning. According to ALS research and association, this disease makes movements, speaking, and breathing extremely difficult. Symptoms include weak muscles of hand & legs, even holding a pencil becomes unimaginable, fatigue, trouble breathing, and muscle spasms.
Physical therapy
Physical therapists are experts in making movements easier. Anybody suffering from neurological disorders has physical therapy as an option. Physical therapies help in making life independent and easy for the patients. Therapists provide tailored therapy to provide as many benefits as they can. The need and requirements of each patient are given importance and modifications can be done to therapy as per the patient’s response to the treatment. Physical therapies will speed up the progress. The therapist targets your weakened muscles as much as possible.
The therapist first assesses your problem then offers a set of specific exercises or therapies using their own techniques.
Neurological disorders can be controlled only when they are recognized at the appropriate time. If you experience extreme fatigue, memory problems, speech problems, face problems in expressing an emotion or feeling and don’t process the information immediately, and you don’t have any clue of the reason behind it. Consult a doctor.
We suggest you visit a neuro doctor immediately. Problems like a stroke can turn deadly on delay. Most problems are controllable, some are even treatable only if diagnosed at the right time.
Neurological and psychiatric problems can be managed with physical therapies. There are over 100 neurological conditions that are known. The first step towards the treatment is ‘notice the change’.
