Mental Health

Overview & Synopsis

Over the last few decades, interest in mental health has grown significantly, leading to increased research and the development of new treatment approaches. Among the disorders that have attracted particular attention are bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, not only due to advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, but also because of their impact on well-being, lost work time, and the economic burden they impose on society. While promising new treatments for psychiatric disorders have emerged, older techniques have also been refined to reduce side effects. Among these are transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroconvulsive therapy, often used in combination with more targeted psychotherapies and supported by clinical trials that provide evidence for their practical use. This book presents new findings in the diagnosis and treatment of severe mental disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder, taking a broad perspective that highlights both innovative approaches and clinical complications that are often overlooked due to their low prevalence, despite their severity and impact on patient prognosis. The book also explores neuroinflammation, an emerging and important challenge in psychiatry.