A Complete Guide to Mental Health Disorders

Mental disorder is very common, and almost one in four people will be afflicted. Some common mental illnesses include anxiety, depression, alcoholism, bipolar, gambling, eating disorders (such as anorexia and Bulimia), and psychosis. These disorders often interfere with everyday functioning, affecting both the individual and society. People with mental illness are subject to a greater risk of incarceration, suicide, crime, and disability. Because of these risks, mental health services are now among the largest specialties. Yet, most of those in need of mental health services do not seek treatment.

There are several factors that play into determining who receives treatment and why. The first factor that greatly impacts treatment is the type of mental disorder. Each mental disorder has specific characteristics that distinguish it from another mental illness. For instance, there are two types of manic depression. Manic depression is the term used to describe episodes of emotional highs but does not include the lows that occur in bipolar disorder.

Another factor affecting who gets help for their mental disorder is where they live. Most of the population grows up in small towns where everyone knows each other and socialize together. In such environments, there is little need for families to seek psychological counseling, unless the family is extremely close or the person exhibiting mental disorder resides there. However, if the patient lives in a large metropolitan city, mental disorder patients will need to see a psychiatrist.

When diagnosing mental disorders, doctors make use of a checklist called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This manual defines a number of mental illnesses and their symptoms. It also provides descriptions of behaviors considered indicative of the disorder. All these information are based on the judgments of professionals trained in mental disorders. However, changes in diagnostic guidelines have led some psychologists to believe that certain symptoms do not accurately reflect the symptoms of a mental illness.

Psychological doctors often rely on family history for a diagnosis. The family history of a patient can indicate common genetic factors between relatives. Psychological doctors use information garnered from biological factors as well. If a family member has a predisposition for mental disorders, family history can confirm this. Sometimes a doctor makes the diagnosis based on family history and then explores all possible biological factors.

There are several factors that affect the likelihood of developing psychological disorders. Genetics play an important role. If someone in your family developed an illness or mental health disorder, you are more likely to develop the same condition. Environmental factors also play an important role in determining who develops disorders in childhood.

However, some mental disorders develop later in life. These can include Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disorders. It is also possible to be born with a disability that causes a mental health disorder. These can include cerebral palsy or stroke. Some disabilities can also lead to the development of more serious disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.

Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain that is characterized by hallucinations and delusions. It is estimated that one million people in the United States suffer from a psychotic disorder, including one million adults. Someone with a psychotic disorder may experience hearing voices and seeing things that are not actually present. Certain events in the sufferer’s life may seem to be related to their disorder, such as having hallucinations following the death of a loved one.

Eating disorders consist of an intense fear of gaining weight and being fat. Anorexia is the inability to eat and maintain the necessary weight for normal physical appearance. Bulimia nervosa is the excessive urge to consume food even when not hungry. Compulsive overeating is a common symptom of Anorexia. Other mental disorders may experience symptoms such as restless sleep, constant worry over body shape and size, perfectionism, and frequent thoughts about sickness, weight loss and/or illness, and low self-esteem.

Bipolar disorder is a long term mental illness that affects moods but not the ability to function normally on a daily basis. People with Bipolar Disorder are usually diagnosed when they are in their late teens or early twenties. The manic phase of Bipolar Disorder involves extremely exaggerated self-esteem and is commonly known as hypomania. The depressive phase is marked by severe depression and involves feelings of hopelessness and guilt. Some people with Bipolar Disorder experience mixed episodes, in which one phase of the illness is mild and the other is severe.

There are many mental health disorders that have multiple symptoms. For example, post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks often co-occur and are recognized simultaneously as a separate illness. People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are often severely depressed, experience recurrent dreams and nightmares, and may become physically and/or sexually distressed. People with Panic Attacks are most likely to feel alone and afraid. They can also exhibit extreme reactivity to common circumstances and the situations that bring them stress. People who suffer from these mood swings and disorders may find it difficult to maintain relationships, form lasting friendships, and may develop substance abuse problems.