types of mental health disorders & illnesses part 1
- lxrynwxtring
- May 10, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: May 15, 2023
5/10/23
good morning cherubs! today we are going to be discussing the first 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.
today we are going to be focusing on bipolar and eating disorders.
first up is bipolar disorder:
bipolar disorder, or also known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by extremely low periods of mood combined with occasional highly elevated moods. if the elevated mood is severe, it's known a mania; if the mood is less severe it is called hypomania.
mood swings caused by bipolar disorder are much more extreme than your typical highs and lows. these depressive moods are combined with a loss of interest in any sort of activity more days than not. the manic moods are periods of euphoria and irritability, such as increased energy, racing thoughts, and impulsive reckless behavior.
symptoms of bipolar disorder:
like we mentioned before, there are extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression).
symptoms for extreme lows:
feeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time
feelings of emptiness or worthlessness
being delusional, having hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking
difficulty sleeping
suicidal thoughts
symptoms for extreme highs:
feeling very happy, elated or overjoyed
feeling self-important
being easily irritated or agitated
making decisions or saying things that are out of character and that others see as being risky or harmful
not feeling like sleeping
causes of bipolar disorder:
while the true cause behind bipolar disorder is unknown, there are a few assumptions of what could be a strong determining factor of bipolar disorder, such as:
childhood trauma such as: neglect, sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, traumatic events, or losing someone close to you such as a parent.
stressful life events such as: a relationship breakdown, poverty, trauma, being bullied, harassed (including racism), isolation, big events (wedding or holiday).
brain chemistry: bipolar disorder may relate to functional problems of the neurotransmitters. While some research supports this, no one knows for sure how these neurotransmitters work. And we don't know whether problems with these are a cause of bipolar disorder, or a result of it.
family links: can be passed genetically through family members
medication, drugs, and alcohol use
next up is eating disorders:
an eating disorder is a mental disorder characterized by abnormal eating habits and behaviors that negatively affect a person's physical and mental health. eating disorders are more than just a person's relationship with food, eating disorders are a complex mental disorders that need intervention from medical experts. there a a few types of eating disorders including: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, pica eating disorder, rumination disorder.
symptoms of eating disorders:
there are two types of symptoms emotional/behavioral and physical.
emotional/behavioral symptoms:
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, and dieting
Food rituals (e.g. eats only a particular food or food group [e.g. condiments], excessive chewing, doesn’t allow foods to touch)
Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals
Extreme concern with body size and shape
Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.)
physical symptoms:
Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down
Menstrual irregularities — missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a “true” period)
Dizziness, especially upon standing
Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting)
Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails
causes of eating disorders:
similar to bipolar disorder, eating disorders' cause in unknown. as with an mental illness it could be a combination of:
genetics
biology
risk factors include:
family history: more likely to occur if someone in the family already has an eating disorder
other mental health issues including: trauma, anxiety, and depression
dieting and starvation
a history of weight bullying
stress
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 mood & anxiety disorders <3
you deserve to be here
xx Loryn
resources:
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