Mental health disorders are more common than you probably think. Millions of people all over the world suffer, often in silence because they are ashamed to seek treatment or open up about what they are going through.
But having an understanding of mental health and common mental health problems could help remove the stigma of these ailments and assist more people as they work on gaining control. So, continue reading to learn about just a few of the most common mental health disorders. And if you suffer with one or more of these, be sure to check out resources like Mental Health and Money Advice for some helpful information and tips to stop your mental health getting in the way of important matters such as money management.
Depression
Everyone feels down every now and then, but clinical depression is different. This mental health disorder could get in the way of a person enjoying life, and it might even lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
Depression could range from mild to severe in intensity, and some forms of this disorder are short-term or situational, particularly if caused by a sudden change in a person’s life. But when depression hinders your ability to participate in daily activities, when it gets in the way of your family and work life, and when it does not subside no matter how hard you try, seeking help from your doctor and a psychologist is highly recommended.
Some of the different types of depression include:
Post-partum depression
Seasonal affective disorder
Psychotic depression
Persistent depressive disorder
Anxiety
Many people also suffer with anxiety disorders, and some people might even have a combination of depression and anxiety. Put simply, anxiety can be described as excessive fear or worry that will not subside. Like depression, anxiety could end up interfering with your daily life, and it could make it difficult to feel happy, to have healthy relationships, and to enjoy your work.
Generalised anxiety disorder is a common type of anxiety that causes symptoms like fatigue, rapid heartbeat, irritability, shakiness, and difficulty concentrating. Other types of anxiety include phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder.
Basically, when anxiety strikes and does not go away no matter how hard you try, seeking treatment is necessary. Like depression, a psychologist could help you talk through your feelings, and there are also medications available to help you ease your anxious thoughts and feelings.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention deficit disorder, which is also commonly referred to as ADD (or ADHD for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), is a common condition amongst children. Symptoms include having difficulty concentrating and staying still. Children often end up disrupting those around them, or they might end up staring out a window, rocking, pacing, or getting up and walking around when they shouldn’t.
ADD and ADHD are considered neuro-behavioural disorders, and even though they occur during childhood, adults could continue exhibiting symptoms that make it difficult to work and maintain healthy relationships. Adults might feel restless and become easily distracted, so you can probably imagine how hard it is for these individuals to succeed on the job.
Talk to your doctor if your child exhibits ADD/ADHD symptoms. However, how do I know if I have ADHD? If you believe that you have ADHD yourself and exhibit some of these symptoms but you were never diagnosed as a child, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor as well. Medications like Ritalin might help bring the disorder under control.
Eating Disorder
An eating disorder could develop during childhood or adulthood. A lot of different circumstances and factors could contribute to the development of this mental disorder. For example, a child who’s bullied for being underweight or overweight might end up fixated on what they eat and what the number on the scale says. On top of that, being physically or verbally abused could lead to the development of an eating disorder, as could having distorted perceptions of the self. Thankfully, though, treatment is available to help people gain control over their eating habits again, whether they’re addicted to food or they hardly eat enough.
A few of the most common types of eating disorders are binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia. When a patient is diagnosed with bulimia, it’s because they have problems with their body and weight. They’ll often binge eat because they aren’t in control, and then they’ll vomit after they eat in order to eliminate the food. This results in damage to the teeth, throat, face, skin, and other areas of the body. Anorexia, on the other hand, results in extreme calorie restriction. Patients eat so little that they become emaciated and malnourished. Their health suffers, and they end up losing their hair. Their nails also become brittle and they become weak, all because they have a deep fear of weight gain.
As you can see, there are several mental health disorders that are surprisingly common amongst the general population. There is no shame at all in talking to your doctor about your mental health symptoms, and that really is the best way to get the appropriate treatment that you need to take control of your mind and your life.
