Learn about Mental Health
What are mental health conditions? Mental health conditions refer to a wide range of disorders categorized by the severity and abnormality of one’s thinking and basic functioning.
Common Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety disorders are a wide spectrum of mental health conditions that cause individuals to struggle with mundane tasks. Unlike ordinary anxiety experienced by the average person, anxiety disorders often seem to appear without warning and can disable one’s life, even without a clear threat. Keep reading to learn more about the various anxiety disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic pattern of extreme or unrealistic anxiety and worry regarding typical or routine activities (e.g., job responsibilities, health, errands, and appointments). Typically, this level of intense worry must be present for at least six months and should affect the individual most days to receive a proper diagnosis from a medical professional. Individuals with GAD generally expect the worst outcome, strongly linking the disorder to neuroticism.
The condition can also present physical symptoms including restlessness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. The asperity can range from mild, causing slight impairment, to debilitating, interfering with one’s entire life. Although occasional worry is normal, GAD is a continuous, distressing condition that can be detrimental if not addressed. Treatment options customarily include Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT), prescription medications, and lifestyle changes.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), commonly referred to as Social Phobia, describes a strong and persistent fear of social situations, stemming from irrational thoughts about being judged, embarrassingly humiliated, or rejected by other people. SAD can range from mild to severe, creating significant interference in the individual’s ability to participate in socialization and work/school-related activities.
SAD creates a limited capacity to interact with others, can lead to complete avoidance of social events, and may result in an inability to participate in conversations or group activities. Physical symptoms, including sweating, tremors, or palpitations, can occur before or during one’s anticipated social encounter. SAD can be experienced at any point in life, and, if left untreated, may worsen over time.
Panic Disorder
Panic Disorder is characterized by experiencing multiple unexpected and recurrent panic attacks. Attacks typically begin abruptly with an overwhelming sense of dread. These attacks may include physical symptoms that mimic a heart attack such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Similarly to GAD, attacks generally occur without a clear threat or proportional reason.
For many suffering from panic disorder, the intense fear of having another panic attack can be debilitating, and a source of anxiety for weeks or months after their occurrence. Panic disorder also causes individuals to change their behavior, with many avoiding certain places where they feel panic that may disrupt day-to-day life.
Depressive disorders are severe mental illnesses that go far beyond “the blues” or fleeting sadness. They are classified by a persistent sense of sadness, emptiness, or irritability as well as a marked decline in enjoyment or interest in activities, which impairs day-to-day functioning. These symptoms must be present for the majority of the day for a minimum of two weeks in order to be diagnosed. Biological, psychological, environmental, and genetic factors primarily cause the conditions. These conditions are not a sign of weakness and can afflict people of any age, race, or socioeconomic status. Keep reading to learn about the subtypes!
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is a serious mood disorder that is characterized by continued sadness, decreased interest in daily tasks, and severe impairment in everyday functioning. To obtain a proper diagnosis of MDD, symptoms must occur over at least a two week period, including changes in sleep patterns, lack of appetite, decreased energy levels, problems with concentration, and feelings of worthlessness and/or guilt. MDD is one of the most common yet very complicated mental health disorders and there is no single treatment for MDD. Treatments for MDD include psychotherapy and medications, likely anti depressants.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (BD), formerly known as “manic depression”, is a disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, going from euphoric moods – manic/hypomanic – to depressed. BD is known for having a detrimental impact on one’s life due to functional deficits in work and relationships, as well as daily tasks. Unlike “mood swings” that the average person generally experiences from time to time, BD involves more than “feeling bad” then quickly shifting to a good mood. This disorder has serious consequences for the individual. Treatment of bipolar disorder includes addressing both ends of the spectrum; however, due to the intensity of the symptoms experienced at either end of the spectrum, effective treatment may not be feasible without professional support (e.g., counseling or medication).
Behavioral disorders are defined as mental illnesses in which individuals experience recurring, continuous, habitual demeanors that are not consistent with society’s normal routines. Behavioral disorders affect individuals’ abilities to carry on relationships and live normally when in school, at home, or at work.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by ongoing inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity patterns that disrupt the daily lives of individuals. Symptoms may begin during childhood but continue into adulthood affecting school, work, and interpersonal relationships. ADHD is not caused by a lack of motivation, rather individuals with ADHD can manage their symptoms through appropriate treatment and support.
Eating disorders are dangerous and potentially fatal psychological issues, preventing the ability to obtain proper nutrition and significantly impairing a person’s physical and emotional health due to obsessive behaviors regarding food, body image, and weight. They should not be viewed as lifestyles. If an individual seems to have obsessive behaviors regarding food, body weight, and shape are highly likely to develop dangerous eating habits. Eating disorders harshly impact every organ system of the body, including the heart, kidneys, digestive system, leading to possible life-threatening complications.
Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental illness that is often fatal. People who suffer from anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight, perceive their body in an unrealistic manner, and severely restrict their food intake relative to their needs. This results in an unhealthy appearance due to weight loss along with a different mindset causing them to believe they are overweight. In order to prevent weight gain they may count calories in a very minute detail, avoid eating altogether, adhere to strict rules concerning what foods they will eat or will not eat, and exercise way beyond what would be considered a healthy amount.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an extremely serious condition. This illness involves a cycle of excessive amounts of binge-eating behaviors that occur within a very short time frame, then followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas, fasting, excessive exercise. This is primarily due to a strong fear of gaining weight and harsh self-judgment based on body shape or size. Further, bulimia is often kept secret due to the experience of shame and guilt, making it difficult for anyone to detect, especially since a majority of individuals who suffer from bulimia will have a body weight that is normal or above-average.