Types of Mental Health Conditions
Mental health problems are a diverse set of conditions affecting people’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Globally, 1 in every 8 people live with a mental health disorder–that’s 970 million people.
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health disorders, with recent research pointing to a 26% and 28% increase in either condition since the COVID-19 pandemic. These percentages are evidence of COVID’s lasting impact on well-being, with mental health challenges more widespread and urgent than ever before.
Misconceptions about mental health conditions, such as that they’re a “cry for attention” or incurable, are harmful and dismissive. Mental health conditions are not a choice–they’re challenges people face, often in silence. Fortunately, they’re also possible to treat and manage effectively.
Understanding mental health conditions and fostering greater awareness is crucial to breaking the stigma and empowering people to thrive.
Common Mental Health Disorders
Mental health conditions are diverse, affecting people in unique ways. Sometimes, they’re so starkly different that it’s difficult to compare them at all. The following are brief overviews of several common mental health conditions.
Anxiety Disorders
It’s normal to experience anxiety in certain situations. However, anxiety disorders go beyond regular nervousness or worry–they’re diagnosed when these feelings interfere with someone’s ability to function normally, and when reactions seem disproportionate to the situation.
Someone may also show physical signs of anxiety, such as increased heart rate and sweating. Such emotional and physical symptoms can be all-consuming.
There are several types of anxiety, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) involves excessive worry about pretty much every situation–more worry than the situation appears to call for. Symptoms include persistent feelings of dread, difficulty concentrating and sleeping, irritability, and muscle aches or tension.
- Social anxiety is characterized by an intense fear of being judged or humiliated in social settings. Physical symptoms include sweating, blushing, and nausea. Someone with social anxiety also usually has an intense fear of speaking in groups.
- Panic disorder involves repeated panic attacks which can feel like shortness of breath and chest pain, sometimes this pain can be so severe that it feels like a heart attack.
If you’re in need of anxiety treatment but you’re not sure on your options, check out our Anxiety Treatment at Mission Connection.
Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar Disorder)
Mood disorders are a type of mental health condition affecting a person’s emotional state, causing periods of either intense sadness or depression, or heightened elation and mania – or both. Examples of mood disorders include:
- Depression (and its subtypes), involving severe feelings of sadness, fatigue, and low self-worth. For a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, symptoms must be present for two weeks or more. See possible options for treatment here.
Bipolar disorder involves severe fluctuations in mood, referred to as hypomanic/manic and depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is categorized into bipolar I and bipolar II, which you can read more about here. There are also a range of treatment options available. It’s typical for mood to fluctuate. However, for a mood disorder diagnosis, symptoms must be interfering with someone’s ability to function normally.
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCRDs)
OCRDs include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other conditions with similar characteristics, such as:
- Hoarding disorder
- Compulsive skin picking
- Hypochondria
OCD involves obsessive thoughts that are unwanted and unpleasant alongside compulsive behaviors that the individual is driven to carry out repetitively. However, obsessions and compulsions (for example, compulsive hand washing or cleaning) can be disruptive and time-consuming, causing huge interference with normal living.
Personality Disorders (PDs)
There are many misconceptions about personality disorders and what they entail. However, PDs are best described as conditions that cause enduring patterns of behavior, thinking, and feeling that are different from what would be described as “normal”. Specifically, individuals tend to struggle with tolerating distress and feeling detached from others. People with PDs often also report chronic “emptiness.”
There are different types of personality disorders, but the most common is borderline personality disorder (BPD), which affects approximately 1.4% of US adults. Read more about BPD here.
Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders, like schizophrenia, can cause symptoms such as delusions (believing things that are false despite contrary evidence), hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or smelling things that aren’t there), and disorganized thinking. These symptoms make it difficult to distinguish what’s real from what’s not.
Early intervention is a game-changer in psychosis. Timely treatment with therapy and medication can help manage symptoms and promote long-term recovery. See our options for treatment here.
Eating Disorders (EDs)
Recent evidence suggests that nearly 1 in 7 males (14.3%) and 1 in 5 females (19.7%) in the US have experienced an eating disorder by the age of 40.
Eating disorders can stem from intense pressure to achieve unrealistic body standards, leaving someone feeling trapped in unhealthy behaviors around food and self-image. The most common EDs are:
- Anorexia nervosa, involving extreme food restriction and an intense fear of gaining weight, often leading to severe weight loss – although not necessarily (it’s possible to be diagnosed with anorexia without being medically underweight).
- Bulimia nervosa, which features a cycle of binge eating followed by purging behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain.
- Binge-eating disorder, involving recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food but without purging behaviors, usually accompanied by feeling out of control, guilt, or shame.
EDs can lead to severe health complications if left untreated–in fact, they have the highest death rate of any mental health problem.
Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders
Trauma and stress-related disorders can arise after witnessing or experiencing a life-altering event such as combat, accidents, or domestic violence. Trauma disorders are typically all-consuming, making it almost impossible to feel safe or function normally.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as abuse, violence, or a natural disaster. It involves symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety or emotional numbness.
For more guidance on trauma treatments, check out our Trauma Treatment Options.
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Problems
Recognizing mental health symptoms is crucial for knowing when to seek help. Common signs of mental illness vary widely from condition to condition, but changes in a person’s ability to perform daily tasks normally are a broad signifier.
Common symptoms of anxiety include:
- Excessive worry
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
Common symptoms of mood disorders include:
- Prolonged and intense sadness or loss of pleasure in usually enjoyable activities
- Irritability
- Changes in sleep and appetite
Remember, early recognition of symptoms is game-changing, enabling access to timely support.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Causes of mental health disorders are complex; they arise from a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics can increase vulnerability, while trauma, chronic stress, and environmental factors can act as triggers.
Different factors interact in complex ways. For example, life stress may exacerbate a genetic predisposition—causing a mental health condition to manifest unexpectedly.
When mental illness risk factors overlap, for example, if someone with a genetic predisposition faces a traumatic event like domestic violence, their vulnerability to mental health disorders multiplies. In other words, the chances of developing a mental health condition increase with exposure to risk factors.
Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders
The first step to an accurate diagnosis of any mental health condition is consulting a healthcare professional. Once you’ve made contact, you’ll likely be invited to complete a mental health evaluation – this will be used to rule out other health problems.
A professional diagnosis is crucial to distinguish between conditions that present similar symptoms, like anxiety and depression, for instance. Without the right diagnosis, you may end up with the wrong solutions, potentially making things worse instead of better.
Clinicians typically use a combination of clinical interviews, questionnaires (screening tools), and behavioral assessments to diagnose mental health conditions.
Mental Health Self-Assessment and Quizzes
Mental health self-assessments are a great starting point for exploring potential concerns. Although they don’t provide a diagnosis and shouldn’t be interpreted as definitive evidence of a mental health condition, they can help you spot symptoms and determine whether to seek professional support.
At Mission Connection, we offer a variety of online self-assessment tools, including screenings for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. If your quiz results indicate a need for further exploration, we strongly advise you to contact one of our mental health clinicians for a more comprehensive evaluation. At Mission Connection, we’re here to support you.
Treatment Options for Mental Health Problems
When it comes to mental health, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach; treatment options are diverse and should be carefully selected to suit your unique needs and challenges. Common approaches include:
- Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral approaches
- Medication to manage symptoms
- Lifestyle changes and actionable coping strategies like regular exercise and stress management
Flexible options are available to meet different needs, from outpatient programs to virtual therapy sessions. These resources empower individuals to find the right path to healing without disrupting daily routines.
Research shows that having a good support network is a protective factor against mental health difficulties. So, talking with friends and curating strong connections with family or support groups is one of the best things you can do for your mental well-being.
Therapy and Counseling for Mental Health
Talk therapy and counseling involve discussing thoughts, emotions, and experiences with a trained therapist or counselor, who provides confidential support and guidance. They’re cornerstones of mental health treatment, offering a safe space to explore challenges and develop coping strategies.
Types of therapy for different needs include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. This approach is commonly used for anxiety and depression.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) aims to help individuals understand and manage negative emotions better. It’s frequently used to treat borderline personality disorder.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) seeks to address relationship challenges and social conflicts that adversely impact well-being.
Trauma-Focused Therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), help with processing and healing from past traumas (for example, childhood abuse or distressing events).
Medication for Mental Health
Medication is often an essential part of mental health treatment. The appropriate medication varies depending on the condition and the predominant symptoms. However, common options include:
- Antidepressants for managing depression and anxiety
- Antipsychotics for conditions like schizophrenia
- Mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder
Overall, medications aim to regulate chemicals in the brain that are believed to cause symptoms of mental health conditions, improving daily functioning. It’s important to remember that every treatment plan is personalized. Consulting a healthcare provider ensures the right medication for your unique situation.
Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care for Mental Health
Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on mental well-being. For instance, regular exercise can boost mood and reduce stress, while a balanced diet supports brain health. Practices like mindfulness and meditation can also help manage anxiety and improve focus. Additionally, self-care strategies, such as prioritizing sleep and engaging in hobbies, complement professional treatments and empower people to take charge of their mental health journey.
When to Seek Help for Mental Health Concerns
If you’ve read this far and recognize yourself in some of the signs we’ve described, don’t wait to seek confidential support. It’s especially important to reach out if you’re finding it hard to manage daily responsibilities or if your relationships are feeling strained. Remember, it’s never too late to take that first step towards help.
Signs that may indicate a need for professional support include:
- Extreme mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Unexplained changes in sleep or appetite
- Changes in ability to perform normal, daily tasks
Seeking help is brave and important. You also don’t have to go on this journey alone. At Mission Connection Healthcare, our team is here to help. Contact us today at 866-619-7530.
References
Cherney, K. (2019, March 8). Bipolar 1 vs. bipolar 2: What’s the difference? Healthline. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-1-vs-bipolar-2
Eating Disorder Hope. (n.d.). Anorexia death rate: Risks, statistics, and warning signs. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/anorexia/anorexia-death-rate
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Borderline personality disorder: Symptoms and causes. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/borderline-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20370237
McLean Hospital. (n.d.). What is borderline personality disorder (BPD)? Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/bpd
Ward, Z. J., Rodriguez, P., Wright, D. R., Austin, S. B., & Long, M. W. (2019). Estimation of eating disorders prevalence by age and associations with mortality in a simulated nationally representative US cohort. JAMA Network Open, 2(10), e1912925-e1912925.
Wickramaratne, P. J., Yangchen, T., Lepow, L., Patra, B. G., Glicksburg, B., Talati, A., … & Weissman, M. M. (2022). Social connectedness as a determinant of mental health: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 17(10), e0275004.
