A Guide to Common Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders or illnesses are a broad range of conditions that impact one’s mood, thoughts, and temperament. They include anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and addictive behaviors. Mental health concerns are common, but they can turn into disorders if the ongoing symptoms cause stress and affect the body’s normal functioning.
Stress and mental illness have a complex relationship, as pressure often seems to worsen the episodes of a disorder. Most health disorders are manageable with psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, or both. Read on to learn more about various mental health disorders and their symptoms.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders include specific phobias (claustrophobia, agoraphobia, etc.), social phobia, and panic disorders, among others. Anxiety is a common disorder, with about 25% of the cases being severe enough to warrant treatment at one point.
It is important to note that not all feelings of anxiety and fear are classified as disorders, as these are necessary human emotions to cope with change or danger. However, some people experience extreme levels that grow continuously and start interfering with their daily lives.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Individuals with generalized anxiety constantly and excessively worry about health, money, work, and family and might often forget crucial appointments. They may require diagnosis if the stress persists over six months and the person finds it difficult to control.
Social Phobia
People with social phobias fear negative judgment or evaluation by others. They may fear doing things that may cause public humiliation, such as eating or drinking in public, using public toilets, public speaking, or any other social encounter. People living with social phobia are either concerned with one situation or several. This can lead them to isolate or avoid people and activities involved with the specific situation.
Specific Phobias
People with specific phobias may have an interfering and irrational fear of particular situations or objects, such as animals, people, and places. These include dogs, storms, heights, and tight spaces, and they can affect the individual to the extent of restricting essential life functions.
Panic Disorders
Panic disorders are relatively less frequent. They are often spontaneous and unrelated to ongoing situations. The typical standard for diagnosis is four attacks every month over a prolonged period. Panic disorder may result in isolation and clinical depression with an impaired ability to perform routine tasks, study, or work.
Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
One may recover from anxiety disorders with the proper care and treatment. They may be effectively treated through:
- Medication – These include benzodiazepines and antidepressants.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – This treatment seeks to alter thoughts, beliefs, and behavior systems that induce anxiety.
- Exposure therapy – This therapy focuses on systematic desensitization by gradually introducing people to the specific situations that induce fear/anxiety.
- Relaxation techniques – Breathing exercises, deep muscle relaxation, meditation, and other techniques are often effective.
Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also referred to as manic depression, involves a cycle of high energy (manic) and low mood extremes (depression). The cycle of symptoms is experienced differently depending on the affected individual. While the exact causes are unknown, research has found several contributing factors, such as physical illness and stress, environmental factors, and genetics.
In fact, genetics contribute to up to 80% of bipolar cases. A person’s unique gene coding combined with stressors such as loss or abuse may trigger the occurrence of the disease.
The symptoms of bipolar disorder appear in early adulthood and may be a lifelong diagnosis for most people. However, the disorder is manageable with proper support and treatment, and a high standard of life can be maintained. Bipolar disorder and its related issues include:
- Bipolar I and II disorders
- Cyclothymic disorder
- Mixed episodes
- Mania, depression, and psychosis
Treatment for Bipolar Affective Disorder
Effective treatment options are long-term for bipolar disorder. They include:
- Medications to stabilize mood
- Antipsychotic medication
- Antidepressants
- Psychotherapy
- Hospitalization for severe episodes
- Education for self-sufficiency and management
- Self-help groups
- Community support programs
Paranoia
Paranoia is an unreasonable and continuous feeling that you are subject to people’s intrusive attention and that they are out to harm you somehow. Because of this baseless mistrust, people with paranoia cannot live normal lives or sustain social relationships. It could be a symptom of delusional disorder, schizophrenia, or paranoid personality disorder. Symptoms include:
- Trust issues
- Inability to cope with criticism
- Taking offense easily
- Always being defensive
- Taking people’s remarks the wrong way/assigning harmful meanings
- Aggressive and argumentative behavior
- Finding it hard to forgive and let go
- Seeing constant threats in the world
- Believing in “conspiracy” theories
- Feeling like a victim
- Finding it difficult to confide in anyone or maintain relationships
Types of Paranoia
There are a few specific types of paranoia that may manifest. Paranoid personality disorder is a mild attitude and behavior disorder built around mistrust of the world. Individuals with this disorder typically still function well.
Delusional paranoid disorder depends on a person’s specific delusion. For instance, a person suffering from an illusion of persecution may think that others are spying on them or preparing to hurt them. Stalking can occur from a delusional paranoid illness, such as when someone thinks they are dating a Hollywood celebrity they’ve never met.
Paranoid schizophrenia involves bizarre delusions and hallucinations and is the most severe. Individuals with this condition may not function well without treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Paranoia
Dissecting the cause of extreme levels of mistrust is problematic because it is a condition common in some people with dementia and a range of other mental illnesses. Besides, paranoid people may avoid medical settings and professionals based on their irrational fear of being harmed. Diagnosis typically includes:
- Physical exam
- Medical history
- Signs and symptoms assessment
- Psych tests
- Control tests for other mental disorders
While the conditions for paranoia have no cure, the treatment enables better coping, and individuals can lead happy and productive lives. Depending on the type and severity, treatment may include the following:
- Anxiety and antipsychotic medication
- Therapy to cope with symptoms and improve functioning ability
- Social coping skills, such as behavior modification and relaxation therapy
- Hospital admission for severe cases
Depression
Depression refers to a condition where an individual has intense feelings of sadness and lowness for an extended period to the point that it affects their physical and mental well-being. Depression is quite common, affecting many adult men and women at some point in their lives. Fortunately, many effective treatments are available for depression.
Depression impacts people’s thinking, feelings, and behavior. Managing everyday activities may become difficult as these feelings disrupt studies, work, and social relationships. The following are signs of depression:
- General tiredness and feeling “sick”
- Sleep problems
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Reliance on alcohol and sedatives
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Lack of confidence and feeling of frustration
- Going out less
- Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
The development of depression is associated with a combination of particular social, psychological, biological, and lifestyle elements. They include the following:
- Family history of depression
- Personality qualities, such as low self-esteem
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Life events and persistent difficulties, including long-term unemployment, abusive relationships, separation, or divorce
- Alterations in the brain due to medication, health conditions, genetic predisposition, or stressors
Treatment for Depression
Depression may go on for months and years without being detected, and if left untreated for a long time, it may have adverse effects on an individual’s life. Various effective treatments and specialists are available to aid affected persons with recovery. With the right mental health professionals and commitment to one’s recovery, depression can be overcome.
It is categorized into different types, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. They include major depressive disorder, psychotic depression, antenatal and postnatal depression, and seasonal affective disorder.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders impact individuals of different ages, genders, ethnicities, and cultures. However, the majority of eating disorders are identified in young women and female teenagers. Eating disorders start with common risk factors such as depression, obsessive dieting, and low body self-esteem.
Symptoms of eating disorders include:
- Faintness, vertigo, and exhaustion
- Increased irritation and mood swings
- Sadness and anxiety
- Inability to think clearly or focus
- Weight fluctuation
- Obsession with one’s looks
- Sensitivity to cold
- Increased interest in cooking for others
- Compulsive routines, such as only using a specific cup for drinking out of or eating in secret
- Wearing baggy clothing or frequent style changes
- Excessive dieting or exercise regimens
Eating disorder types include:
- Bulimia nervosa – This involves periods of secret binge eating, followed by attempts to make up for it by engaging in excessive activity, throwing up, or going on rigorous diets. Feelings of guilt and being “out of control” are frequently present during binge eating.
- Anorexia nervosa – This disorder is characterized by weight reduction, limited eating, and a fear of gaining weight.
- Binge-eating disorder – Binge eating might involve eating more than usual, eating until you feel uncomfortable, and eating a lot when you’re not hungry. Binge-eating bouts can be followed by emotions of guilt, disgust, and melancholy. No compensatory behaviors are associated with binge eating, such as those for bulimia nervosa.
Many people in the U.S. struggle with their dietary habits. If you do have an eating issue, getting treatment is crucial. Remember that eating problems may be overcome with assistance from medical specialists.
It’s crucial to seek out expert assistance and support from others. Recovery could take some time as you develop a more positive relationship with food and come to terms with the causes of your behavior, but it will be worth the effort. As they learn to deal with the impacts of an eating disorder on the individual and their own life, parents, siblings, spouses, friends, extended family, coworkers, and others frequently go through a wide range of emotions.
Tensions and rifts can develop within a family as a result of dealing with an eating issue. Confusion, sadness, rage, guilt, and fear are possible emotions. Reminding a loved one that the work required for healing will be valuable for everyone is a good idea for family and friends.
Treatment for Eating Disorders
There are several types of treatments available. It’s crucial to remember that different strategies are effective for various individuals. Finding the best design and starting treatment early maximizes recovery chances. Support from others and expert assistance are crucial.
Numerous medical specialists, including the following, may be engaged in therapy since eating disorders influence people’s physical and emotional health:
- Psychiatrists/psychologists
- Doctors
- Nutritionists
- Social workers
- Nurses and dentists
Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
While it isn’t the case for everyone, many people dealing with a mental health condition are also affected by substance use disorder. Whether it’s bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression, those who struggle with their mental health often turn to drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication for their symptoms. Over time, this self-medicating leads to full-blown addiction. Fortunately, help for both is widely available. Many treatment centers offer treatment for co-occurring conditions to help people manage their mental health and addiction.
Reaching Out for Help
If you or a loved one is dealing with a mental disorder, addiction, or both, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Managing these conditions is possible with the right treatment and support. Treatment may include therapy, medication, or a combination, but a professional can find the right approach for your specific situation and help you live your best possible life.
