The portal uses cookies to provide service functions such as “Bookmark” and to improve website usage. Information and opt-out options can be found in the cookie settings in the privacy policy.

Search
Four pebbles of different sizes stacked on top of one another, probably on a beach. Setting sun with rays reflected in water in the background.

Conditions Psyche

“Psyche” is the ancient Greek word for soul. In modern language usage, it refers to the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. However, when people talk about mental (psych) disorders, it is not always immediately clear what is meant. Medical practitioners and psychotherapists use the international classification of diseases ICD-10 for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

Psyche

Depression: woman lying curled up in a large bed. Depression: woman lying curled up in a large bed.

Depression

People with depression have sad and negative thoughts for weeks, withdraw from family and friends. Depression determines the way they act and think. Daily life, work, and studying become difficult.

Sleep disturbances: older woman lying in bed clutching her head and looking at the ceiling. There is an alarm clock next to her on the bedside table. Sleep disturbances: older woman lying in bed clutching her head and looking at the ceiling. There is an alarm clock next to her on the bedside table.

Sleep disorders (insomnia)

People with sleep disorders are often tired and exhausted because they have not had enough restful sleep. Up to one third of people experience problems falling asleep or getting a good night’s sleep.

Postpartum depression: woman looking stressed standing in the kitchen holding a baby in her arms and holding her head. Postpartum depression: woman looking stressed standing in the kitchen holding a baby in her arms and holding her head.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is one type of depression that can occur in women shortly after they give birth. Depressive symptoms and feeling very mixed emotions in relation to the baby are typical.

Man sitting in a consultation room at a practice Man sitting in a consultation room at a practice

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop as a result of a trauma that has been experienced. Typical symptoms are flashbacks, anxieties and sleeping problems.

A woman’s face is reflected the other way round in a vase. A woman’s face is reflected the other way round in a vase.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia involves phases of an altered perception of reality. This can take the form of delusions, hearing voices or a feeling of being watched, for example.

A person standing on perfectly aligned paving stones. A person standing on perfectly aligned paving stones.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

An obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can have a major impact on every aspect of daily life. There is no cure for OCD. There are treatment options to help people manage it.

Eine Frau sitzt mit geschlossenen Augen an einer U-Bahn-Haltestelle. Eine Frau sitzt mit geschlossenen Augen an einer U-Bahn-Haltestelle.

Generalized anxiety disorder

It is normal to experience fear at times. Fear puts us in a state of readiness so that we can react quickly. However, persistent worry could be an indication of generalized anxiety disorder.

Burnout: man sitting in front of a screen with his eyes closed and his hand on his forehead. Burnout: man sitting in front of a screen with his eyes closed and his hand on his forehead.

Burnout

What is referred to as burnout is usually a personal crisis. It is a reaction to constant stress and overload. But there is no exact scientific definition of “burnout”.

A woman lies in bed with a hot water bottle on her abdomen. A woman lies in bed with a hot water bottle on her abdomen.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome refers to set of symptoms that women may have before their monthly menstrual period. Typical symptoms include mood swings, headaches and abdominal pain.

Alzheimer-Demenz: Ältere Frau mit Gehstock Alzheimer-Demenz: Ältere Frau mit Gehstock

Alzheimer’s disease

People with Alzheimer’s disease suffer a considerable loss of memory and cognitive functioning. The disease cannot be cured. However, treatment can have a positive effect on its progression.

A child gazes dreamily out of a window. A child gazes dreamily out of a window.

Autism

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders with specific characteristics: people with autism have problems communicating with others and with social competence.

Older man sitting at a table looking puzzled. Older man sitting at a table looking puzzled.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is caused by circulatory disorders. The brain receives too little oxygen and becomes damaged, resulting in a reduction in mental abilities.

Functional symptoms: man sitting on a chair in a medical examination room holding his knee. Functional symptoms: man sitting on a chair in a medical examination room holding his knee.

Non-specific physical disorders (functional somatic syndromes)

Many people experience persistent somatic symptoms with no clear medical cause. Functional somatic syndromes can be caused by stress and conflict.

A young man sits on the bed, holding his head in his hands. A young man sits on the bed, holding his head in his hands.

Premature ejaculation

If a man almost always reaches orgasm too soon, this is known as premature ejaculation, the medical term for which is ejaculatio praecox. Exercises, medication or sex therapy can help.

Fingers twirling a fidget spinner. Fingers twirling a fidget spinner.

ADHD

Children with ADHD are particularly inattentive, impulsive, and active. The symptoms may persist into adulthood.

A woman experiencing a range of moods – active, thoughtful, sad. A woman experiencing a range of moods – active, thoughtful, sad.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme fluctuations in mood. The person either feels on an emotional high or feels low and empty.