Common Types of Mental Health Disorders
Depression: Depression is much more than just feeling sad; it is a disorder of the brain. Depression affects more than 19 million people in the U.S. and is becoming increasingly common all around the world.4 Depression can happen to anyone, at any age, though it often begins in the teenage years, and is more common in women than men.4 Several factors can combine to cause depression, including genetics, biology, and environment.4 Symptoms of depression include:4
- Prolonged feeling of sadness or emptiness.
- Losing interest in favorite activities.
- Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much.
- Feeling tired all the time.
- Overeating, or not wanting to eat at all.
- Feeling hopeless.
- Feeling irritable, anxious, or guilty.
- Chronic aches or pains, like headaches or stomach aches.
- Thinking about death.
- Thinking about suicide.
Depression is treatable, and many patients are able to lead emotionally healthy lives. Depression is typically treated with a combination of medications (antidepressants) and psychotherapy (sometimes called “talk therapy”).
Depression is treatable, and many patients are able to lead emotionally healthy lives.
Anxiety: Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem in the U.S., affecting more than 40 million adults.5 Anxiety is normal when it has a cause, such as nervousness before public speaking. When anxiety has no specific cause and continues for months, it is considered an anxiety disorder. Women are far more likely than men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.6 Other risk factors include: 6
- Shyness in childhood.
- Having a lower income.
- Being divorced or widowed.
- Exposure to stress or trauma in childhood.
- Experiencing significant stress or trauma in adulthood.
- A family history of anxiety.
- Parents with mental disorders.
There are several different types of anxiety disorders, each with distinguishing symptoms. For example, social anxiety includes intense worry about social situations and fear of public places, while panic disorder involves repeated panic attacks. People with generalized anxiety disorder display daily symptoms for months and experience chronic, excessive worry. Symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include:6
- Feeling wound-up or on edge.
- Restlessness.
- Being easily tired.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Irritability.
- Difficulty controlling worry.
- Problems falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Muscle tension.
Anxiety disorders can be treated with a combination of medicine and talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that has been successful in treating anxiety.6
Bipolar Disorder: People with Type 1 bipolar disorder, sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder, experience dramatic mood swings from periods of mania to periods of depression. A manic episode is a period of feeling intensely energized, irritable, and impulsive, while a depressive episode is a period of intense sadness or hopelessness, often accompanied by fatigue. Symptoms of both periods are severe enough to cause major interferences with daily life.7
Episodes of mania and depression may continue throughout life, but with treatment, they will be less frequent and less severe.
A known risk factor for developing bipolar disorder is having a family history of bipolar disorder.7 Genetics and brain structure also have been shown to be contributing factors.7 Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but it is manageable. Episodes of mania and depression may continue throughout life, but with treatment, they will be less frequent and less severe. Treatment typically includes a combination of medications (mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants) and therapy.7
Obsessive-Compulsion Disorder (OCD): OCD is characterized by obsessions, which are chronic, uncontrollable thoughts, and compulsions, which are behaviors the person feels the urge to repeat again and again.8 Researchers don’t know what causes OCD, but there is some evidence that it runs in families. People with a history of childhood trauma are also at increased risk.8
People with OCD can have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Symptoms significantly impact life and interfere with work, school, and relationships. Symptoms of OCD can include:8
- Obsessions such as fear of germs; unwanted or taboo thoughts about sex, religion, and violence; aggressive thoughts; and keeping things symmetrical or in order.
- Compulsions such as excessive cleaning or handwashing, ordering and arranging things, repeatedly checking on things, and compulsive counting.
OCD is treated with medication, talk therapy, or a combination of both. Most people with OCD respond with treatment, but some continue to experience symptoms. OCD often co-exists with other mental health disorders, like anxiety and eating disorders.8
Eating Disorders: Eating disorders are serious behavioral health problems that can be dangerous and even fatal. Some people believe that eating disorders are merely a lifestyle choice, but the truth is that eating disorders are significant mental health conditions that require medical treatment. While there are different types of eating disorders, they all involve obsessions about food and body image. Risk factors for eating disorders include being female, being a teenager, having an anxiety disorder, and having a substance abuse problem.9 Depending on the severity of the eating disorder, treatment can include hospitalization, medication, or talk therapy.
Signs of the three most common eating disorders include the following:9
- Anorexia—is characterized by extreme thinness and dieting, intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and an intense pursuit of thinness.
- Bulimia—characterized by binge eating (periods of eating large amounts of food in a short time) followed by purge behavior (self-induced vomiting, diuretic and/or laxative abuse, excessive exercise) in association with distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight.
- Binge Eating Disorder—characterized by eating abnormally large amounts of food in short periods of time, feeling out of control during a binge, scheduled binge episodes, intense guilt and shame around binges, and chronic on-and-off dieting.
Free Crisis Hotline Numbers
If you think you or someone you love may be struggling with a mental health disorder, call one of these numbers to learn more about various mental health conditions and connect with valuable resources near you.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
If mental health difficulties are leading you to consider suicide or think about death often, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s national network of local crisis centers. This 24-hour hotline is available to anyone in crisis and provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis intervention.
- Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
This unique hotline is available via text message to anyone experiencing mental health difficulties or an emotional crisis. Highly trained counselors offer support and guidance to calm you down and make sure you are safe.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
If you’re ready to seek professional treatment for your mental health condition, SAMHSA’s helpline and web-based behavioral health treatment services locator can help you find information about treatment providers, therapists counselors, support groups, and community resources in your area.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
The NAMI Helpline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST to answer your general questions about mental health issues and treatment options. You can get information on mental health services in your area and learn how to help a loved one find treatment.
If you’d like to know whether your insurance may cover the full or partial cost of substance abuse rehabilitation programs at one of American Addiction Centers’ various rehab centers across the states, simply fill in your information in the form below.
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Mental Health Hotline - Mental Help
Sources
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.) What is mental health?
- Mayo Clinic. (2016). Adult health.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2010). Comorbidity: Addiction and other mental illness.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2016). Depression.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.) Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Anxiety disorders.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Bipolar disorder.
- National Institute of Mental Health. (2016). Obsessive-compulsive disorder.