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Schizophrenia - an overview
Better Health — Schizophrenia is an illness that affects the brain and interferes with how a person thinks, feels and acts. Some people recover from schizophrenia completely; for others it can be a prolonged illness.With care and support most people can live ...More…
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Schizoaffective disorder
Better Health — Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of two mental illnesses - schizophrenia and a mood disorder. Schizoaffective disorder is classified into two subtypes: schizoaffective bipolar type and schizoaffective depressive type. Mental health ...More…
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Psychosis explained
Better Health — Psychosis is associated with illnesses that affect the brain (for example, schizophrenia). People affected by psychosis can experience delusions, hallucinations and confused thinking. Medication and community support can relieve, or even ...More…
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Dissociative identity disorder
Better Health — Dissociative identity disorder (DID), also known as multiple personality disorder, is characterised by the co-existence of two or more distinct personalities within the same person. The condition generally develops as a survival response to ...More…
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Cannabis and psychosis
Better Health — Cannabis use can cause drug-induced psychosis, trigger the first episode of a psychotic illness, or make a pre-existing psychotic illness worse. Cannabis comes in three forms - as either marijuana, hashish or hash oil. People who have, or may be ...More…
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Body dysmorphic disorder
Better Health — Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental illness. People who have this illness constantly worry about the way they look. They may think something that isn't there, or that others don't notice, is a serious defect. Treatment includes cognitive .. ...More…
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Suicide and mental illness explained
Better Health — Suicide is a major cause of death among people with a mental illness. A suicide attempt may be an early warning sign that a person is developing a mental illness. There are steps you can take if you think a friend or relative is considering ...More…
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Mental illness treatments
Better Health — When someone first starts to develop symptoms of mental illness, contact a doctor or a community mental health service for help. Treatment in the community, rather than in a hospital, is considered better for a person's mental health. Effective ...More…
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Mental illness services - residential care
Better Health — A wide range of comprehensive public mental health services are available for people of all ages. Many of these services are bed-based. Bed-based services offer treatment and support to people who are experiencing a serious mental illness. These ...More…
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Mental illness prevalence
Better Health — One in five Australians will experience mental illness. About three per cent of Australian adults will be severely affected by mental illness each year. With appropriate treatment and support, most people affected by mental illness will recover well.More…
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Mental illness and violence
Better Health — People who are receiving treatment for a mental illness are no more violent or dangerous than anyone else. People with a mental illness are more likely to harm themselves or to be harmed. There is a weak association between violence and mental ...More…
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Mental illness - family and friends
Better Health — Family members and friends should not ignore signs of a mental illness in someone close. Early treatment can lead to a better outcome. Encourage the person to see a general practitioner (GP) or other doctor for an assessment. If a family member ...More…