What Are the 7 Main Mental Disorders?

Mental disorders are a broad scope of mental health conditions affecting an individual’s emotions, cognition, and behavior. It results in substantial distress and impairment of personal functionality. While there’s an endless list of these conditions that affect people worldwide, there are 7 main mental disorders.

The main psychological disorders include anxiety, bipolar, depression, and neurodevelopment disorders, among others. Sadly, you may be suffering from these mental illnesses unknowingly. On the hand, some people know and decide to take no action, which is wrong.

This article covers the main mental conditions to help you keep your loved ones’ mental health in check and yours. The information helps identify these disorders early and consult a psychiatrist for an immediate diagnosis and treatment.

What Are the Main Mental Disorders?

The 7 main mental illnesses include the following:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Depression
• Dementia
• Bipolar?

Read on as we look into each of the above disorders:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental disorder resulting from experiencing or witnessing terrifying event(s). Feeling afraid after the trauma is natural, and you’ll recover over time. However, if the condition persists, you may be diagnosed with PTSD).

Below are the symptoms of PTSD:

• Re-experiencing the horrifying incidence(s) through flashbacks, uncontrollable memories, or nightmares.
• Avoidance symptoms like keeping off events, places, and objects reminding you of the terrifying event. Also, you may avoid thoughts relating to the occurrence.
• Persistent view of an increased current threat.

2. Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDs)

NDs are the main mental disorders influencing brain functionality and neurological system development. Consequently, you may experience emotional, cognitive, and social difficulties. Although there are various NDs, attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are the leading NDs.

Below are the symptoms of NDs:

The general description of these mental disorders consists of impairments in motor and social skills, learning, language, speech, memory, behavior, and emotions.

Available treatment options include psychosocial and behavioral interventions and occupational and speech therapy. Some age groups and diagnoses may require medication.

3. Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that causes abnormal interpretations of reality: It alters how you feel, act, and think. In addition, it’s one of the main mental disorders that impair daily functioning and can cause disability.?

Its management requires lifetime treatment, where early attendance eases the symptoms’ control before developing severe complications. As a result, the individual’s long-term outlook improves.

Below are the symptoms of Schizophrenia:

• Extremely abnormal or disorganized motor behavior: Portrayed by unpredictable agitation (instruction resistance, non-response, excessive movements, and inappropriate posture).
• Delusions: Refers to false beliefs not based in reality: Beliefs seem strange to other people and easy to disapprove. For instance, you may think you have exceptional fame or ability.
• Disorganized thinking/speech: Characterized by effective communication impairment and partially or completely unrelated answers.
• Hallucinations: Involves hearing and seeing in-existing things. You may, however, have a typical experience in the full force and impact.?
• Negative symptoms: Includes reduced or lack of average functionality ability, like neglecting personal hygiene.

4. Anxiety Disorders

The mental health condition comprises intense, excessive, and persistent fear and worry about daily occurrences. It’s one of the main mental disorders involving repeated panic attacks and sudden intense anxiety. As a result, you develop avoidance of situations and places to keep the feelings away.

Below are the symptoms of anxiety:

• Concentration challenges and inability to think about the future.
• Sweating (hot flashes): Sudden feeling of upper body warmth.
• A sense of impending panic, danger, or defeat.
• Trembling: Teeth grinding, especially at night.
• Hyperventilation: Breathing at a high rate.
• Nervousness, tension, or restlessness
• Avoidance of anxiety triggers
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Increased heartbeat rate
• Inability to control worry
• Feeling tired and weak
• Sleeping difficulties

5. Depression

Depression is a common mood disorder characterized by constant loss of interest and sadness. It’s among the main mental disorders that influence how you think, feel, and behave, leading to various physical and emotional problems. It makes daily activities challenging, and sometimes life feels worthless.

Below are the symptoms of depression:

• Recurrent or frequent death or suicidal thoughts, suicide or suicide attempts.
• Remembrance, decision-making, concentration, and thinking challenges.
• Weight loss due to reduced appetite or weight gain due to overfeeding.
• Frustration, irritability, or angry outbursts, even when uncalled for.
• Lack of pleasure or interest in most, if not all, routine activities.
• Guilt or feeling worthless due to self-blame or past failures.
• Lack of energy and tiredness to hand even small tasks.
• Reduced speaking, thinking, or body movement.
• Physical problems like headaches or back pain.
• Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, and tearful.
• Excessive sleeping or sleep disturbances.

6. Dementia

The mental disorder refers to the loss of cognitive functioning (reasoning, remembering, and thinking), interfering with daily activities. Also, there may be an inability to control emotions and personality change.?

It’s among the main mental disorders whose severity ranges from the mildest stage (initial functionality effects) to the most severe stage (complete dependency on others for basic activities).

Below are the symptoms of Dementia:

• Thought expression, understanding, speaking, writing, and reading difficulties.
• Wandering and loss of direction in familiar surroundings.
• Paranoia, delusions, or hallucination experiences.?
• Referring to familiar objects using unusual words.
• Confusion, poor judgment, and memory loss.
• Money handling and bill payment challenges.
• Delayed completion of routine tasks.
• Movement problems and loss of balance.
• Being insensitive to others' feelings.
• Loss of interest in daily activities.
• Asking the same questions repeatedly.
• Impulse acting.

7. Bipolar?

Bipolar varies in extremities. Extreme low bipolar is known as depression (refer to #5), and extreme high is known as Mania. Therefore, bipolar’s symptoms depend on the extremities.

Below are the symptoms of Mania:

• Experiencing hallucination, delusion, and disturbances, or illogical thoughts.
• Having many essential plans and new ideas.
• Prone to distraction and irritability.
• Extreme joy, delight, or happiness
• Talking too fast and recklessly
• Doing things carelessly
• Feeling hyper-energetic
• Self-worthiness feeling
• Sleeplessness.

Parting Shot

Mental health is essential to maintain for smooth functionality of your entire body. Unfortunately, there are countless mental conditions that can mess up your psychological wellness. The disorders can interfere with reasoning, speaking, understanding, reading, writing, and more. Thus, handling your day-to-day activities may be a challenge.

Thankfully, the article outlines the 7 main mental disorders and their symptoms to help you identify them early enough and take the necessary measures. That way, you can control the condition by seeking a doctor’s support before it’s too late.

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