Common Mental Health Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments

Mental health is a key component of overall well-being, but it is a conversation that rarely gets the attention it should. Mental health disorders affect millions of people around the world and can make it difficult for someone to work, have relationships, and be happy. We want to foster awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage early intervention by understanding the types, symptoms, and treatments of mental health disorders.

What Are Mental Health Disorders?

Mental health disorders, also called mental illnesses, are disorders that affect an individual’s thinking, mood, behavior, or some combination of those elements. The severity of these disorders can range from mild to debilitating. Mental health disorders affect not only the person who has the disorder, but his or her family, co-workers, and community.

An estimated one in four people globally will have a mental health condition at some point in their lives, according to the World Health Organization. Though often widespread, many people do not seek help because of stigma or a lack of information about possible treatments.

Common Mental Health Disorders

There are many mental health disorders in the population. Here is an overview of the most common ones:

• Anxiety Disorders: Excessive fear or worry, characterized by generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and phobias.
• Depression: A disorder in which an individual experiences a persistently sad mood plus loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities (or both) for most of the day, more days than not, and also has a significant decrease in energy (fatigue) or decreased appetite for most of the day, more days than not.
• Bipolar Disorder: Having alternating episodes of extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression).
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Includes intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors or mental acts.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Develops after being exposed or exposed to a traumatic event and results in flashbacks, nightmares, and hyperarousal.
• Eating Disorders: But such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, for example, which are unhealthy relationships with food and body image.

Symptoms of Mental Disorders

Early diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders can come with recognizing the symptoms of them. While symptoms vary by condition, some general signs include:

• Long, persistent sadness or anxiety.
• Failing to concentrate or make decisions.
• Dropping out of friends, family, and activities.
• Appetite or sleep problems.
• Fear, worry, or guilt that is excessive.
• From highs to lows extreme mood changes.
• Self-harming or suicidal thoughts.

Disorder-specific symptoms include:

• Depression: Feeling detached from activities, feeling worthless, and feeling fatigued.
• Anxiety Disorders: Rapid heartbeat, restlessness, and fear that the worst is coming.
• OCD: Obsessions, or constant and unwanted obsessive thoughts and compulsions, often excessive hand washing, for example.
• PTSD: Nightmares, flashbacks, and avoidance of trauma reminders.

Orlando Treatment Solutions Help

At Orlando Treatment Solutions, we provide individualized care for each unique individual. With our experienced professionals in recovery, we use evidence-based treatments to help you take your life back and gain lasting recovery.

If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or some other mental health condition, we are here to help you along the way. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you begin your new life, contact Orlando Treatment Solutions today.

Treatments for Mental Health Disorders

There are many approaches an individual can use to help control their symptoms and live fulfilling lives. Common treatment options include:

• Psychotherapy: Healing with the expert help of a trained therapist with whom a person can confront thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, is also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy. Types include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It centers on recognizing and changing harmful thinking.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): It helps to regulate emotions and helps in good interpersonal relationships.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): It encourages mindfulness and values-based living.
• Group and Family Therapy: It offers a place where people can share experiences and pick up from others who are facing the same challenges. Family therapy also helps the loved ones to understand the disorder and to have a role in the recovery process.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Meditation, deep breathing, yoga (or other daily practices) can help to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.
• Holistic Approaches: Traditional treatments should be accompanied by lifestyle changes like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep.
• Medication: Other treatments may consist of medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or anti-anxiety drugs. Never start or stop any medication without a healthcare professional’s advice.

When to Seek Help

It’s important to know when it’s time to get professional help for recovery. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following, reaching out to a mental health professional is crucial:

• The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are affecting everyday life. For example, experiencing trouble with executing routine tasks or preserving relationships.

• Using substances to cope with emotions more and more.
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

The earlier the intervention happens, the better the outcome. If you need support, don’t be afraid to ask.

We know that mental health is a part of our overall well-being, but mental health disorders are still taboo for so many people. We can become a more educated, compassionate community by knowing the kinds, the symptoms, and the cures. Don’t wait to get help if you or someone you know is struggling. If you want to take the first step toward a happier and healthier life, contact us at Orlando Treatment Solutions today. We can build recovery and resilience together.