Comprehensive Symptom Navigator

Suicidal Ideation and Attempts

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Psychiatric and Behavioral Emergencies

Sub-category: Acute Psychiatric Crises

Symptoms:
expressions of wanting to die or kill oneself; planning or attempting suicide; withdrawing from loved ones; mood swings; hopelessness; preparing wills or giving away belongings

Root Cause:
Often related to severe depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, or psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation through direct questioning, psychological assessment, and risk evaluation using tools like the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).

Treatment:
Immediate safety measures (e.g., hospitalization), psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy), crisis intervention, and addressing underlying psychiatric disorders.

Medications:
Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs like sertraline or fluoxetine ), mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium ), antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine or risperidone ), and sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines) for acute agitation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 4.6% of individuals annually in the U.S., with higher prevalence in adolescents and young adults.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of mental illness, previous suicide attempts, family history of suicide, substance abuse, major life stressors, social isolation, chronic illness.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With timely intervention, individuals can recover and lead fulfilling lives, but ongoing support and monitoring are crucial to prevent recurrence.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Risk of completed suicide, long-term psychiatric sequelae, injury from attempts, impact on loved ones.

Bipolar Disorder

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Adult

Sub-category: Mood Disorders

Symptoms:
manic episodes; depressive episodes; mood swings; irritability; elevated self-esteem; decreased need for sleep; racing thoughts; difficulty concentrating

Root Cause:
Dysregulation of brain neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine, serotonin) and structural differences in mood regulation areas of the brain.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical interviews, mood assessments, and DSM-5 criteria evaluation.

Treatment:
Psychotherapy (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychoeducation) and mood-stabilizing medications.

Medications:
Mood stabilizers like lithium , anticonvulsants like valproate or lamotrigine , atypical antipsychotics like quetiapine or olanzapine , and antidepressants (with caution).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 2.8% of U.S. adults annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, stressful life events, substance abuse, early childhood trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Treatment can help manage symptoms effectively; untreated, episodes can become more severe and frequent.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of suicide, substance use disorders, and social/occupational impairments.

Hallucinogen Use

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Addiction

Symptoms:
distorted sensory perceptions; hallucinations; paranoia; mood swings; disorganized thinking; elevated heart rate; anxiety or panic attacks

Root Cause:
Hallucinogens affect the brain’s serotonin system, leading to altered perceptions, moods, and cognition. Chronic use can cause dependency and psychological disturbances.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on patient history, symptom presentation, and standardized diagnostic criteria (DSM-5).

Treatment:
Behavioral therapy, counseling, and supportive care to address psychological and social factors.

Medications:
While there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for hallucinogen use, benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam ) may be used short-term for acute agitation or anxiety, and antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol ) for severe psychosis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1.1 million individuals in the U.S. reported using hallucinogens in the past month (as of recent surveys).

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Youth, peer pressure, history of mental illness, genetic predisposition, recreational drug culture.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; acute episodes may resolve, but long-term use increases the risk of persistent psychological disturbances.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent psychosis, Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), social or occupational dysfunction.

Injection Drug Use

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Addiction

Symptoms:
track marks on skin; infections at injection sites; fatigue; withdrawal symptoms; mood swings; compulsive drug-seeking behavior

Root Cause:
Direct delivery of drugs into the bloodstream creates a high risk of addiction, infections, and systemic complications due to unsterile techniques and repeated exposure.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patient interview, physical examination, laboratory tests (e.g., toxicology screens, infection markers).

Treatment:
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) (e.g., methadone, buprenorphine), harm reduction strategies, and therapy (CBT, contingency management).

Medications:
Methadone (opioid agonist), buprenorphine (partial opioid agonist), and naltrexone (opioid antagonist) are often prescribed to manage addiction. Antibiotics may be used for treating injection site infections.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Injection drug use contributes to 10% of new HIV infections worldwide and is prevalent in individuals with substance use disorders.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of substance abuse, homelessness, mental health disorders, poverty, access to injectable substances.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic use often requires long-term management; complications can significantly impair quality of life.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, sepsis, endocarditis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and overdose.

Huntington Disease Dementia

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Adult

Sub-category: Neurocognitive Disorders

Symptoms:
memory loss; difficulty planning or organizing; mood swings; impulsive behavior; movement abnormalities (chorea); depression

Root Cause:
Progressive neurodegeneration caused by a mutation in the HTT gene leading to abnormal accumulation of huntingtin protein.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Genetic testing for the HTT mutation, neuroimaging (e.g., MRI or CT scans), and cognitive assessments.

Treatment:
Supportive care including psychotherapy, occupational therapy, and medications for symptom management. No cure exists.

Medications:
Antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine ), antidepressants (e.g., sertraline ), and tetrabenazine (for chorea).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 5-10 per 100,000 individuals; inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of Huntington’s disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and fatal; life expectancy is 10-30 years after symptom onset.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe cognitive and motor impairments, aspiration pneumonia, and complete dependence on caregivers.

Menopause and Mood Disorders

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Adult

Symptoms:
irritability; depression; anxiety; mood swings; fatigue; difficulty concentrating

Root Cause:
Hormonal changes during menopause, particularly fluctuations and declines in estrogen and progesterone levels, influence brain function and mood regulation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation of symptoms, medical history, and ruling out other conditions; sometimes confirmed through hormonal testing.

Treatment:
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy), lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, stress management).

Medications:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline or fluoxetine are often prescribed for mood symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen or a combination of estrogen and progesterone can also help stabilize mood. Benzodiazepines may be used cautiously for acute anxiety.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 20%-25% of menopausal individuals experience clinically significant mood symptoms.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of depression or anxiety, stressful life events, lack of social support, and sleep disturbances.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mood symptoms often improve with effective treatment, and the severity typically decreases over time as hormonal fluctuations stabilize post-menopause.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic depression, anxiety disorders, reduced quality of life, and potential relationship or work-related difficulties.

Postconcussive Syndrome

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Symptoms:
headaches; dizziness; memory problems; concentration difficulties; mood swings; fatigue; sleep disturbances

Root Cause:
Persistent neurological and psychological effects following a concussion, involving complex interactions between physical brain injury and psychological factors.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on symptom history and exclusion of other conditions; neuropsychological testing if cognitive issues are prominent.

Treatment:
Multidisciplinary approach including cognitive therapy, physical therapy, and symptomatic treatment for headaches, sleep disturbances, and mood symptoms.

Medications:
Analgesics for headaches, antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) for mood symptoms, and sedative-hypnotics for sleep issues if required.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in approximately 10–20% of individuals following a concussion.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of prior concussions, pre-existing mental health conditions, and high levels of stress or anxiety.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve within weeks to months, but a minority may experience prolonged symptoms.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and reduced functional capacity in work or daily activities.