Mental health plays a crucial role in a person’s daily life, relationships, and physical well-being. There are various external factors in people’s lives and relationships can also affect one’s mental well-being.
However, mental health disorders such as stress, depression, and anxiety are common and can interfere with daily routines. Therefore, taking care of one’s mental health is essential for maintaining the ability to enjoy life, including: balancing activities, responsibilities, and efforts to build psychological resilience.
In the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that nearly 1 in 5 adults face mental health issues each year.
But what exactly are mental health disorders? How many types are there, and which ones are most common today? Discover more about mental health in this blog post.
What are mental health disorders?
Mental health disorders, also known as behavioral health disorders, impact the way you think, feel, and behave. They can alter your mood and make it challenging to function effectively at home, work, school, or within your community.
It’s essential to note that poor mental health doesn’t necessarily mean you have a mental health disorder. Conversely, you can have a mental health disorder and still experience extended periods of good mental health.
How many types of mental health disorders are there?
People can experience various types of mental health disorders, and it’s common for multiple disorders to occur simultaneously. These mental health disorders can be short-term, occurring over a brief period or episodic, meaning they come and go with clear start and end points. Some disorders can also be chronic or long-lasting. In fact, there are more than 200 recognized types of mental health disorders today.
Some of the common types of mental health disorders include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders
- Disruptive behavior disorders
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
6 most common mental health disorders
Mental health disorders are increasingly common in the United States, with about 1 in 5 adults and adolescents affected. Around half of all mental health disorders begin by age 14, and three-quarters by age 24. These disorders can impact anyone, regardless of age, sex, background, or ethnicity.
However, trends show that people designated female at birth (DFAB) are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and eating disorders, while those designated male at birth (DMAB) are more likely to face substance abuse and antisocial personality disorders.
Here are the 6 most common mental health disorders to be aware of:
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
Depression
Depression is a type of mental health disorder that involves a range of symptoms, including a persistent low mood, loss of interest in everyday activities, and emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes. It can be challenging to differentiate between normal mood changes and more severe forms of depression, such as major depression. It’s helpful to think of depression symptoms as existing on a spectrum, from mild to severe.
Some common symptoms of depression include tearfulness, irritability, social withdrawal, loss of libido, fatigue, reduced sleep, decreased appetite, low self-esteem, loss of confidence,…
Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that occurs most days for at least 6 months, about various events or activities. People with GAD find it hard to control their anxiety and worry. This often comes with symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and trouble sleeping.
Panic disorder
People with panic disorder experience sudden bursts of intense anxiety, known as panic attacks. These can happen in specific situations or without any clear reason. To avoid these attacks, they may start avoiding certain places or situations, which can lead to agoraphobia.
The frequency and intensity of panic attacks can vary greatly. Triggers for these attacks can be external, like a specific object or situation, or internal, like physical sensations. Sometimes, a panic attack can occur unexpectedly, without any obvious cause.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder involving obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that keep coming into a person’s mind, causing distress. The person understands that these thoughts are from their own mind, not something external, and they often see them as unreasonable or excessive.
Common obsessions in OCD include fears of contamination from dirt, germs, viruses, body fluids, fears of harm, an overwhelming need for order or symmetry, and fixations on the body or physical symptoms.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD is a mental health disorder that can develop after going through traumatic events like violence, severe accidents, disasters, or military combat. Those most at risk include survivors of war, torture, accidents, and violent crimes like physical or sexual assault. Other vulnerable groups are refugees, women who have had traumatic childbirth, people with life-threatening illnesses, and members of the armed forces, police, and emergency services.
Social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is marked by a strong fear of social situations. This fear can cause significant distress and make it hard for someone to function in daily life. The main concern is a fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated by others. Because of this, people with social anxiety often avoid social situations, which can negatively impact their education or work.
These fears can be triggered by real or imagined judgment from others. Social anxiety disorder often starts in early adolescence, and while many people recognize it as unusual, they might not seek help.
What causes mental health disorders?
Mental health disorders can arise from a variety of causes, often involving a complex mix of factors. Different people may be affected by certain things more than others. Here are some factors that can lead to poor mental health:
- Childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect
- Social isolation or loneliness
- Discrimination and stigma, including racism
- Poverty, social disadvantage, or debt
- Losing someone close to you
- Severe or prolonged stress
- Long-term physical health conditions
- Job loss or unemployment
- Poor housing or homelessness
- Being a long-term caregiver
- Substance misuse (drugs or alcohol)
- Domestic violence, bullying, or other abuse in adulthood
- Major trauma, such as military combat or a serious life-threatening event
- Physical factors, like head injuries or neurological conditions such as epilepsy, which can affect behavior and mood
While lifestyle factors like work, diet, and sleep can impact mental health, there are usually deeper factors involved in mental health disorders.
Some mental health disorders test you can do
Mental health is an important part of our well-being, but many people still have trouble finding the right support. Taking some mental health disorder tests can be a simple way to check your mental health and help you see if you might have signs of a mental illness or condition.
Here are some benefits of mental health disorders test:
- Increased awareness: Taking a test can raise awareness of possible mental health conditions. It can also help individuals better understand their situation and take the right steps toward recovery.
- Safe and convenience: Online mental health tests are easily accessible on secure websites and can be taken in the comfort of your own home. This convenience can help reduce the stigma around mental health conditions and encourage more people to explore their mental well-being.
- Early intervention: These tests can help identify mental health conditions early, encouraging individuals to seek treatment before the situation worsens. Early detection increases the chances of effective treatment and a better recovery outcome.
- Personalized treatment plan: Mental health assessments can help people better understand their condition. These tests might also lead to a more personalized treatment plan and ensure they get the right support and resources to manage their mental health effectively.
Some online mental health disorders tests you can consider:
