types of mental health disorders and illnesses part 2
- lxrynwxtring
- May 11, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 15, 2023
5/11/23
good morning cherubs! today we are going to be discussing the second installment of the many common types of mental health disorders & illnesses along with their symptoms and causes.
TW: we will be discussing in length some heavy topics of mental illness and the side effects of certain disorders. if this is too much for you, please seek help immediately... resources at the bottom of the page <3
mental illnesses have been around for many, many years but we are still trying to grasp their true forms and ways to cope with them.
below are some of the more common types of mental health disorders & illnesses:
bipolar disorder
eating disorders
mood disorders
anxiety disorders
while most mental health disorders can be similar and have the same side effects or warning signs, it's still important to know the distinct differences incase you or someone you may know is struggling with one or more of these disorders or illnesses.
yesterday we discussed both bipolar disorder & eating disorders. today we are going to do an in depth discussion of mood & anxiety disorders.
first up: mood disorders:
mood disorders, also known as affective disorders, are a group of conditions that are mainly characterized by a person's mood. just like other mental illnesses, it is normal to feel different types of moods, but it is when these moods are extreme that they become diagnosable. mood disorders specifically involve extreme fluctuations of sadness and happiness.
the most common mood disorders are:
major depression
dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder)
bipolar disorder
substance-induced mood disorder
symptoms of mood disorders:
depending on the mood disorder you have and your age, symptoms and signs can differ but a normal sign or symptom could be:
Constant feelings of sadness or anxiousness
Overwhelming sense of hopelessness
Low self-worth or feeling inadequate
Relationship problems
Loss of interest in activities that once brought pleasure
Excessive guilt
Sleep issues
Changes in appetite and/or weight
Decreased energy
Lack of concentration or difficulty making decisions
Frequent physical discomfort from headaches and/or stomachaches
Irritability, hostility or aggression
Suicide ideation
causes of mood disorders:
imbalance of brain chemicals
dramatic life events
family history
next up, anxiety disorders:
anxiety disorders are a cluster of disorders that characterized by significant and non-controllable types of anxiety and fear that impair a person's daily life. typically these disorders are only diagnosed when they become too much for someone and interfering with their daily life.
the most common types of anxiety disorders are:
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
panic disorder
social anxiety disorder
specific phobias
generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a condition of excessive worry about everyday issues and situations that lasts for more than six months. other symptoms that may coincide with GAD are: restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, and trouble sleeping.
panic disorder is an overreaction of fear and anxiety to daily life stressors. this reaction causes a hyperphysical response followed by intense worry that another attack will soon follow. this causes an upset in the ability to function and can lead to depression.
social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is a condition where everyday interactions cause significant anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment that causes fear of being judged negatively and scrutinized by others.
specific phobias are overwhelming and unreasonable fear of objects or situations that pose little to no danger but provoke anxiety or avoidance. specific phobias are long lasting, cause intense physical and psychological effects and can affect your ability to function normally.
symptoms of anxiety disorders:
Feeling nervous, restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
Having an increased heart rate
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Sweating
Trembling
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Having trouble sleeping
Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
Having difficulty controlling worry
Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
causes & risk factors of anxiety disorders:
traumatic events & trauma from those
inherited traits from family
medical causes such as: heart disease, diabetes, thyroid issues, drug misuse or withdrawal, chronic pain or IBS, and rare tumors that cause fight-or-flight symptoms
certain medications
stress from an illness
stress buildup
personality
mental illnesses are not something that should be taken lightly. no matter what mental health disorder you have or even if you have many, they are real and you deserve to get the best treatment there is for whatever you may be going through.
if you are in need of help, here are some commonly used resources:
Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for a 24-hours, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357), a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals or families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
The American Counseling Association also provides a lengthy list of resources, click here to view.
come back tomorrow to learn some more about psychotic disorders & dementia <3
you deserve to be here
xx Loryn
resources:
Commenti