Mental illness is a disease of the brain. It can cause varying levels of disturbance in behavior and thought, from mild to severe. There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness, which are classified into five major categories.
Understanding these can be beneficial if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Anxiety Disorders
We can all feel anxious from time to time but there are mechanisms that help to regulate it. When these break down, it can lead to inappropriate or excessive expressions of anxiety. An anxiety disorder exists when anxious feelings are difficult to control or they interfere with a person’s normal functioning.
Specific anxiety disorders include:
- Phobias
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- obsessiveCompulsive Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are outside the bounds of normal fluctuations from sadness to elation. Around 7% of Americans are affected by mood disorders. In the workplace they are the leading cause of absenteeism and reduced productivity.
Specific mood disorders include:
- Bipolar Disorder
- Dysthymic Disorder
- Clinical Depression
Schizophrenia/Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder. Characteristics include a profound disruption in emotion and cognition affecting some fundamental human attributes including sense of self, affect, perception, thought, and language.
Disorders include:
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Negative Symptoms’ of Schizophrenia
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
Dementias
Dementia is characterized by a disturbance of consciousness and a change in cognition. These might include a decline in physical and intellectual functioning and memory loss.
Disorders include:
- Alzheimer’s
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia due to medical conditions
- Substance-induced dementia
- Dementia due to a combination of multiple factors
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious and can be life-threatening. Each year, over five million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. Onset often occurs in adolescence and predominantly affects females.
Specific eating disorders include:
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Anorexia Nervosa
If you’re struggling with your mental health, you might find tips from someone who has struggled with mental health issues themselves very helpful. Check out some real-life mental health tips and advice shared on All Things Hair.
