Mental Disorder

Mental disorders are conditions that affect how you think, feel, and behave, and they are more common than you might imagine—about 1 in every 7 people worldwide lives with one. These conditions can disrupt daily life, but with proper care and support, many people successfully manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives.

Table of contents

• What is a Mental Disorder?
• Types of Mental Disorders
• Symptoms of Mental Disorders
• What Causes Mental Disorders?
• Who is at Risk?
• How are Mental Disorders Diagnosed?
• Treatment Options
• How Common are Mental Disorders?
• Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Mental illness, Mental health disorder, Psychiatric disorder

What is a Mental Disorder?

A mental disorder, also known as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a condition that affects the way you think and behave. It also influences your emotions and how you manage them^[2]. These are not simply passing difficulties or mood changes that everyone experiences. A mental health disorder is characterized by a significant disturbance in an individual’s thinking, emotional regulation, or behavior^[13].

Mental disorders can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day^[1]. They may happen over a short period of time or come and go. Some can be chronic, which means they are long-lasting^[1]. These conditions usually cause distress or problems in important areas of functioning, such as at home, work, or school^[2].

Mental health itself includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices^[12]. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging^[6].

• Brain and nerves

Types of Mental Disorders

There are many different types of mental disorders. In fact, there are more than 200 types of mental health disorders^[2]. The exact type you have depends on your specific pattern of symptoms. Some common types include:

• Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorders. These are characterized by excessive fear and worry^[1][2].
• Mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder (also called manic depression). Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and involves persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness^[13].
• Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder^[2].
• Personality disorders like borderline, antisocial, and narcissistic personality disorder^[2].
• Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. These cause detachment from reality, such as delusions (false beliefs) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)^[7].
• Neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism^[2].
• Disruptive behavior disorders like oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder^[2].
• Substance use disorders, addiction and alcohol use disorder^[2].

Symptoms of Mental Disorders

Mental health conditions can lead to a broad range of symptoms. These vary based on the type of disorder, but understanding common signs can help you recognize when to seek help^[2].

Some general symptoms of mental disorders may include:

• Feeling sad or down for extended periods
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows (mood swings)
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy, or problems sleeping
• Detachment from reality, such as delusions or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Changes in appetite or sex drive
• Excessive anger, hostility, or violence
• Suicidal thinking or self-harm^[4][2]

In children, mental disorders may affect how they think, feel, and behave differently than in adults. You might notice that your child has:

• Difficulty sitting still or paying attention
• Excessive worry or fear, like not wanting to go to bed due to nightmares
• Decreased interest in their favorite activities
• Frequent tantrums, defiance, or aggressive behavior
• Problems at school or with friends^[2]

Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains^[4]. A person doesn’t have to have all of these symptoms to receive a diagnosis, but experiencing a few may be a sign to talk to a healthcare provider^[2].

What Causes Mental Disorders?

There is no single cause for mental illness. Many factors can contribute to the development of a psychiatric disorder^[1][2]. Understanding these factors helps remove blame and stigma—mental disorders are not caused by character flaws and have nothing to do with being lazy or weak^[1].

Several factors that may contribute include:

• Genetics and family history: You may inherit genes that increase your risk of certain mental health conditions. However, having these genes doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the disorder^[1][2].
• Brain chemistry and function: Your brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to help control your mood and behavior. Disruptions in how these chemicals work may lead to mental disorders^[2]. Biological factors such as chemical imbalances in the brain can play a role^[1].
• Life experiences and environment: Stressful experiences, especially early in life, may increase your risk. Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, especially if they happen in childhood, can contribute^[1][2]. Factors like substance use, availability of social support, and chronic medical conditions may also play a role^[2].
• Traumatic brain injury: A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can increase risk^[1][2].
• Prenatal exposure: Before birth, exposure to viruses, toxic chemicals, or other substances such as alcohol and drugs can contribute^[1][2].
• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs^[1]
• Having a serious medical condition like cancer^[1]
• Having few friends, and feeling lonely or isolated^[1]

Who is at Risk?

Mental disorders are common. Many Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life^[1]. In fact, about 1 in every 8 people around the world lives with one of these disorders^[2].

Anyone can develop a mental disorder. Your risk increases if you:

• Experienced abuse or trauma
• Experienced significant stress, like the loss of a loved one
• Feel isolated or lonely
• Had a traumatic brain injury
• Had exposure to viruses, toxic chemicals, or substances (like alcohol) before birth^[2]

How are Mental Disorders Diagnosed?

Getting an accurate diagnosis is an important first step. The steps to getting a diagnosis include several parts^[1]:

• A medical history: Your healthcare provider will ask about your past health and current symptoms.
• A physical exam and possibly lab tests: If your provider thinks that other medical conditions could be causing your symptoms, they may order tests to rule out physical causes^[1].
• A psychological evaluation: A doctor or mental health professional talks to you about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to help answer these questions^[1][7].

The mental health professional will make an assessment based on a person’s particular pattern of symptoms. For example, symptoms that may indicate a person is experiencing depression include feeling down for a prolonged period, not sleeping or sleeping too much, or being unable to concentrate^[11].

Sometimes it’s difficult to find out which mental illness may be causing your symptoms. But taking the time and effort to get an accurate diagnosis will help determine the appropriate treatment^[7]. The defining symptoms for each mental illness are detailed in a manual called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association^[7].

Sometimes a diagnosis changes as symptoms change or as other information about the person and their symptoms becomes known. The most important thing is for the mental health professional to understand the symptoms so that the most helpful treatment and support options can be selected^[11].

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on which mental disorder you have and how serious it is. You and your provider will work on a treatment plan just for you^[1]. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy, which is also called psychotherapy^[4].

Many different treatment and support options are available to help people experiencing mental health conditions^[11]:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of mental illness provided by a trained mental health professional. It explores thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and seeks to improve an individual’s well-being. Psychotherapy paired with medication is the most effective way to promote recovery. Examples include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy^[8].

Medication

Medication does not outright cure mental illness. However, it may help with the management of symptoms. Medication paired with psychotherapy is the most effective way to promote recovery^[8]. Depending on the age and severity of symptoms, medication may be considered^[13].

Other Treatment and Support Options

Additional options that can support recovery include:

• Support groups: A support group is a group meeting where members guide each other towards the shared goal of recovery. Support groups are often comprised of peers who have suffered from similar experiences^[8].
• Case management: This coordinates services for an individual with the help of a case manager who can help assess, plan, and implement strategies to facilitate recovery^[8].
• Complementary and alternative medicine: This refers to treatment and practices that are not typically associated with standard care, such as meditation and mindfulness^[8].
• Self-help plans: A unique health plan where an individual addresses their condition by implementing strategies that promote wellness, which may involve addressing recovery, triggers, or warning signs^[8].
• Peer support: This refers to receiving help from individuals who have suffered from similar experiences^[8].

Some people also need social support and education on managing their condition^[1]. In some cases, you may need more intensive treatment. You may need to go to a psychiatric hospital. This could be because your mental illness is severe, or it could be because you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else. In the hospital, you will get counseling, group discussions, and activities with mental health professionals and other patients^[1].

Other treatments that may be used include brain stimulation therapies, electroconvulsive therapy, and art therapy^[8]. While effective prevention and treatment options exist, most people with mental disorders do not have access to effective care^[13].

How Common are Mental Disorders?

Mental disorders are very common. In 2021, nearly 1 in every 7 people (1.1 billion) around the world were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most common^[13]. About 1 in every 8 people around the world lives with one of these disorders^[2].

Specific statistics include:

• In 2021, 359 million people were living with an anxiety disorder, including 72 million children and adolescents^[13].
• In 2019, 280 million people were living with depression, including 23 million children and adolescents^[13].

Many people also experience stigma, discrimination, and violations of human rights^[13].

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Mental health is a key component to overall health and is closely linked to physical health^[6]. Protecting our mental health is easier than you might think. We can all do it every day, and with simple activities that help us feel good, we’re better able to cope with life^[17].

There are many different things you can do to improve your mental health^[12]:

• Staying positive: Try to have a positive outlook by finding balance between positive and negative emotions. Practice gratitude, which means being thankful for the good things in your life^[12].
• Taking care of your physical health: Your physical and mental health are connected. Be physically active, as exercise can reduce feelings of stress and depression and improve your mood. Get enough sleep, as it affects your mood. Eat healthy food, as good nutrition can improve your mood and decrease anxiety and stress^[12].
• Connecting with others: Humans are social creatures, and it’s important to have strong, healthy relationships with others. Having good social support may help protect you against the harms of stress^[12]. Connect with family and friends, and find ways to get involved with your community or neighborhood^[12].
• Get closer to nature: Nature can have a really calming effect on us. Going for a walk or spending time in natural surroundings can help you feel calmer, more hopeful, and less alone^[17].
• Learning new skills: Research shows that learning new skills can improve your mental well-being by boosting self-confidence, raising self-esteem, helping you build a sense of purpose, and helping you connect with others^[16].
• Giving to others: Acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental well-being by creating positive feelings, giving you a feeling of purpose, and helping you connect with other people^[16].
• Paying attention to the present moment: This is also called mindfulness. It can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better, and can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges^[16].
• Developing coping skills: These are methods you use to deal with stressful situations. They may help you face a problem, take action, and be flexible^[12].
• Developing a sense of meaning and purpose in life: This could be through your job, volunteering, learning new skills, or exploring your spirituality^[12].

Taking care of our mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through young, middle, and older adulthood^[6]. No matter what you’re feeling, help is available^[2].