The brain is a complex organ that controls everything from our thoughts and emotions to our movements and bodily functions. It is also susceptible to a variety of disorders and illnesses, which can have a significant impact on our lives.

Brain disorders are a wide range of conditions that affect the brain and its functions. They can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle choices.

By understanding the signs and symptoms of these disorders, you can take steps to protect your brain health and improve your overall well-being.

What are some signs that I might have a brain disorder?

“Some of the symptom’s patients present with include memory problems, lack of concentration, overthinking, insomnia, headaches and sadness,” Dr. Karla Maltez says. “As a first step I recommend discussing any new or recent changes with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may order some of the tests. Those can include blood tests, mental screenings, questionaries and in some cases, imaging studies.”

What are the most common brain illnesses?

About 100 million Americans suffer from a brain disorder.¹ Below are some of the most common disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Mental illness. This group of brain disorders affects a person’s thinking, feelings, behavior and mood, and they affect millions of people each year. In fact, in the United States, one in five adults experience mental illness.² Depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder and eating disorders are among the most common. Each health problem has its own symptoms. Here are some important ones to watch for:³

• Feeling very sad or withdrawn for more than two weeks
• Trying to harm or end one’s life, or making plans to do so
• Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason
• Drastic changes in mood, behavior, personality or sleep
• Intense worries that get in the way of daily life
• Significant weight gain or loss
• Extreme difficulty concentrating or sitting still

It’s important to connect with a doctor if you or a loved one is having these symptoms.

WellMed has mental health resources that fit with your life, but if you’re thinking about hurting yourself or are worried about a loved one, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call 988.

Migraine. Migraines are not just ordinary headaches. They affect millions of people in the United States. Severe headaches can also lead to mental health challenges. About 1 in 5 people with occasional migraines may also have depression and anxiety. That number goes up as the number of severe headaches increases.

Stroke. These are sometimes called “brain attacks.” Strokes happen when blood stops flowing to your brain. This can be just for an instant if there’s a small blockage. Or it can be much more serious. A blood vessel in the brain can burst. About 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year. That’s one every 40 seconds.⁴ Look out for the signs below.⁵ Use the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T. to help you remember the symptoms to watch for:

• Balance: Trouble walking, dizziness or poor balance
• Eyes: Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Face: Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, especially on one side
• Arms: Sudden numbness or weakness in the arms, especially on one side; inability to lift the arm
• Speech: Sudden confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Time: Time to call 911

Stroke can also cause a severe headache. “Watch out for symptoms that come on suddenly — and act fast,” advises Dr. Maltez.

Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s happens when nerve cells that control movement die off. Symptoms can include:

• Tremors
• Shaking
• Stiffness
• Trouble with balance and coordination

It starts slowly but gets worse over time. Nearly 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s. Most get it after age 60.⁶

Dementia. People who have dementia have trouble remembering things. They also have problems with thinking or doing ordinary daily tasks. It’s not a normal part of aging. It happens when brain cells become damaged in certain regions of the brain. That keeps the cells from communicating with one another. Alzheimer’s is one kind of dementia. In the United States, there are more than 5 million adults with dementia.⁷

Seizures. Your brain is a busy place, with millions of nerve cells sending signals at every moment. When too many neurons fire all at once, it causes an electrical burst that can change how you move. It can make you feel different or even lose awareness. Epilepsy is one type of seizure disorder. It’s more common in children and older adults. About 1 in 100 people in the United States have had at least one seizure or been diagnosed with epilepsy.⁸

Are there treatments for brain illness?

“Brain diseases are common,” Dr. Maltez says. “Fortunately, new treatments are being developed all the time.”

“There are different treatment options depending on what type of neurological disease the patient is diagnosed with,” Dr. Maltez notes. “Treatment options can include interventions toward prevention, mental therapy and/or pharmacologic treatment.”

Looking for a doctor who gets you? We can help. Search WellMed providers now.

To read more WellMed health advice articles, visit agehealthynow.com.

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Sources

1. JAMA Neurology. Burden of neurological disorders across the US from 1990–2017: a global burden of disease study. Published November 2, 2020. Accessed July 29, 2022.

2. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mental health by the numbers. Last updated June 2022. Accessed August 10, 2022.

3. National Alliance on Mental Illness. About mental illness: Warning signs and symptoms. N.D. Accessed August 10, 2022.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke signs and symptoms. Last reviewed May 4, 2022. Accessed August 6, 2022.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stroke facts. Last reviewed April 5, 2022. Accessed July 29, 2022.

6. Parkinson’s Foundation. Statistics. Accessed July 29, 2022.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is dementia? Last reviewed April 5, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2022.

8. Epilepsy Foundation. Who can get epilepsy? Published February 4, 2022. Accessed July 29, 2022.