Common Types of Mental Disorders

Needing information on mental disorders? Your mental health is a vital component of your overall well-being. When your mental health is in good shape, then you are emotionally and psychologically stable. Stability contributes to good health and happiness for the most part. A mental disorder is something that can happen to anyone at any time and influences the way they feel and think. When mental illness hits, those affected often do not have a choice in the way they act. A few factors that play a role in developing disorders can include genetics, environment, lifestyle habits, and biology. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in four adults experience a mental health disorder per year.

About mental disorders

There are five different categories for mental illness:

• Anxiety disorders
• Mood disorders
• Psychotic disorders
• Eating disorders
• Dementia

While mental illnesses are fairly common, they can vary greatly in terms of impairing someone's ability to function on an everyday basis properly. This makes it essential for anyone who believes they have a mental disorder to seek professional treatment as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis. Treatment usually includes antidepressants and counseling.

Warning signs for mental illness

Some warning signs come with mental illness, and when someone is experiencing three or more, they could benefit from further evaluation. Common warning signs include changes in sleeping patterns, changes in appetite, changes in mood, a general feeling of being disconnected, a general lack of emotion, and unusual behavior.

Common types of mental disorders

The following is a list of seven of the most common types of mental disorders.

Bipolar disorder: A chronic mental illness that affects one’s ability to think reasonably. Often includes extreme changes in attitude.

Persistent depressive disorder: A chronic form of depression, with a low mood that lasts at least two years.

Generalized anxiety disorder: A disorder that causes one to worry about daily circumstances. Patients with this type of anxiety are often restless and have difficulty concentrating.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A disorder that creates repetitive thoughts and encourages unnecessary compulsions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder: A mental illness that often occurs after someone experiences something traumatic such as war or sexual assault. Triggers cause sufferers to experience flashbacks and physiological changes that occurred during the event.

Social anxiety disorder: A mental illness that causes one to fear social situations. Sufferers experience irrational embarrassment, self-consciousness, anxiety, and more.

Schizophrenia: A mental disorder that interferes with someone's perception of reality. It often comes with auditory hallucinations that influence a person’s thoughts.

Can mental health be stabilized with medication alone?

Medication is often used as an aid when treating mental illnesses. However, psychiatrists typically do not recommend only taking medication for treatment. The psychotropic drugs prescribed by psychiatrists are designed to address symptoms of mental health issues by altering chemicals in the brain. These drugs do not address the root cause of mental health issues, so they only serve as a partial measure that reduces symptoms.

Talk therapy is needed to understand the root cause of the patient's disorder and to help them stop negative behaviors and thoughts. Psychotherapy also involves giving patients new tools to use to cope with their issues. Taking medication without getting therapy is yet to be proven unsafe, but it does not help patients get past their mental disorders.

Does regular exercise help with mental health?

Exercise on its own does not do enough to be considered a treatment option for mental health disorders. Still, it can have a positive effect on disorders like anxiety and depression. However, regular exercise and therapy can be very beneficial for people with mental disorders. Exercise leads to the release of feel-good hormones in the brain, elevating mood and reducing stress.

How does a person develop a mental health disorder?

There is no clear explanation for how people develop mental health disorders, but we do know there are risk factors that increase a person's chances. These include exposure to toxins, stressful living conditions, homelessness, substance abuse, prenatal care injuries, and genetics. 

Need to have an evaluation?

Do you have any questions about mental disorders? If you do, please do not hesitate to contact us as we are here for you. We have a fantastic team of people who care about helping others maintain good mental health. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, then go ahead and give us a call and we can discuss your options. We hope to hear from you soon.

Request an appointment here: https://mb.futurepsychsolutions.com or call Future Psych Ketamine Clinics at (843) 788-9718 for an appointment in our Myrtle Beach office.

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