An In Depth Overview of Major Mental Illnesses: Symptoms and Treatments
Not everything you see on the surface is reality. There might be many underlying problems that accumulate and disturb the normal functioning of the brain. We call it a mental illness. It can be diagnosed in any physically healthy person due to several reasons.
Identification of the symptoms of a mental health problem is a crucial step in diagnosis and addressing the underlying cause of the problem.
People must have mental health awareness to solve brain problems because if they are left untreated at early stages, they may become fatal. You may get your symptoms diagnosed at KMA Therapy and start treatment at the earliest.
In this blog, we will talk about a few major mental illnesses, their symptoms and their causes. So, let's get into it.
What is a Mental Health Disorder?
A mental health disorder is a medical condition that affects the thinking, behaviour, mood, or feeling of a person. It could also interfere with a person's ability to relate to others and perform daily functions.
There are many nomadic reasons, but mental health differs for everyone. It just cycles for most of them. For it to be called some kind of mental health disorder, patterns of thought or behaviour must first habitually cause stress and interfere with life.
Mental disorders range from simple, more accessible anxiety and depression disorders to more complex schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
Anxiety Disorders
What is it? An anxiety disorder is among the classes that create extreme levels of anxiety and fear. People with anxiety disorder are unique in that their anxiety is not transient, and the presence of a stress-inducing event, such as public speaking, does not bring it about.
Anxiety disorders persist for at least six months or worsen over time without treatment. In several ways, anxiety disorders interfere with several aspects of day-to-day functioning such that it becomes hard for the affected person to cope with stress and remain in everyday interactions.
Signs
- Excessive worry or fear
- Feeling agitated or restless
- Difficulty concentrating
- Rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing
- Increased or heavy sweating
- Fatigue or weakness
- Trouble sleeping
- Avoiding anxiety triggers
Causes
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry
- Environmental stress
- History of trauma
- Other mental health disorders
Treatment: Cognitive behavioural therapy is reportedly one part of the treatment, educating the patient to understand and manage thoughts that will bring on the particular condition. Medication solutions come through antidepressants and anxiolytics, intended to reduce the symptoms of mental illness.
Additionally, greater awareness about mental health through campaigns increases knowing the signs of anxiety and early professional help. Lifestyle changes in the form of ways for stress management and stress-busting techniques are an essential part of the treatment and the recovery process.
Behavioural and Emotional Disorders in Children
What is it? Behavioural and emotional disorders are types of mental illnesses and disorders about how children act, regulate their emotions, and relate to people around them. This is made up of behaviours such as disruptive ones and defiance, among others, that tend to be emotional regulation problems.
Signs
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Excessive arguing with adults
- Active defiance and refusal to comply
- Deliberate attempts to annoy or upset people
- Blaming others for their mistakes or misbehaviour
- Frequent anger and resentment
- Spiteful attitude and revenge-seeking
Causes
- Family history of mental health disorders
- Brain development issues
- Exposure to environmental stressors like divorce or abuse
- Poor relationship with parents or peers
Treatment: Treatment may include therapy, such as CBT, and family therapy, which is often effective in treating children with mental illnesses and disorders.
Educational support plus medication can also be prescribed for effective relief of symptoms of a mental health problem.
Awareness of mental illness should also extend to school environments to accommodate and appropriately support the affected child.
Bipolar Affective Disorder
What is it? Bipolar affective disorder, commonly known as bipolar disorder, is a mental condition characterized by extreme mood elevation, which may be manic or hypomanic states and depression.
Signs
- Periods of unusually intense emotion
- Increased activity levels (mania)
- Feeling exceptionally irritable or jumpy
- Poor decision-making
- Sadness or hopelessness (depression)
- Loss of interest in most activities
- Fatigue or loss of energy
Causes
- Genetic predisposition
- Neurochemical imbalances
- Environmental stressors
- Disruptions in circadian rhythms
Treatment: Drugs are used as mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics used in treating bipolar disorder are accompanying forms of psychotherapy. It plays a vital role in managing the fluctuation in mood and changing behaviours associated with the given psychiatric condition.
Being alert and conscious of the condition and constant management allow better control over bipolar disorder. Thus, it needs continuous treatment.
Depression
What is it? Depression is the most common severe mood disorder that impacts emotions, thinking, and the way to conduct daily activities. Often, depression involves persistent feelings of sadness and a general loss of interest in activities that they once found so joyous.
Signs
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Irritability
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Causes
- Biochemical differences in the brain
- Genetics
- Personality
- Environmental factors, such as exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty
Treatment: The treatment of depression includes a combination of psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, and drugs such as antidepressants.
Psychoeducation is part of the treatment to create an environment saturated with awareness of mental illness so that the patients and their families may understand that depression, like anything else, is a disease.
Lifestyle interventions in the form of regular exercise and sleep hygiene also are critical components in the management of depression.
Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
What is it? Dissociative disorders are characterized by disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness, and memory in general. This makes it easy for a person who suffers from such a disorder to feel disconnected not only with themselves but also with the world around them.
Signs
- Significant memory loss of specific times, people, and events
- Out-of-body experiences, such as feeling as though you are watching a movie of yourself
- Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
- A sense of being detached from oneself
- Inability to cope well with emotional or professional stress
Causes
- Trauma, such as ongoing abuse during childhood
- Stress that overwhelms a person's capacity to cope
- An inherent ability to dissociate, which can be used as a defence mechanism during trauma
Treatment: Psychotherapy techniques, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, are typically components of treatment in order to help the patients realize and cope with their mental illness.
Sometimes, other symptoms of a mental disorder may be treated alongside, for instance, medication for depression or anxiety. Knowledge of mental illness affects the early recognition of dissociative disorders and the beginning of the proper form of treatment.
Eating Disorders
What is it? Eating disorders are severe mental conditions characterized by persistent eating behaviours that impair your functioning, health, and emotions concerning essential aspects of life.
Characteristically, all eating disorders involve an excessive preoccupation with weight, body shape, and food; besides this feature, they drive individuals to risk behaviours with eating.
Signs
- Extreme preoccupation with dieting, food, and body image
- Episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting
- Feeling a loss of control during eating
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape
Causes
- Genetic vulnerability
- Psychological factors like poor self-esteem
- Social pressures emphasizing thinness
- Biological factors such as changes in brain chemicals
Treatment: Eating disorders will be treated with broad-based interventions, including nutrition and psychotherapy and, if necessary, medical management.
Other therapy may include CBT to take care of the psychological symptoms of the condition. Greater awareness of mental illness regarding eating disorders will more likely motivate seeking help as well as improved outcomes.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What is it? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is another mental illness characterized by unwanted and disturbing thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that intrude into a child's mind, which makes the child feel great anxiety or discomfort, which the child tries to reduce through either recurring behaviours or mental acts called compulsions.
Signs
- Repeated, persistent, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and cause distress or anxiety
- The need to perform certain routines repeatedly to relieve anxiety
- Performing tasks in a rigid, exact manner
Causes
- Genetic factors
- Brain structure and functioning
- Environmental stress
Treatment: Exposure and response prevention, which automatically fits explicitly into the category of cognitive-behavioural therapy, is generally administered in the treatment of OCD and appears to be the center and most effective treatment for reducing compulsive behaviour. Pharmacotherapy may be an SSRI in treating the symptomatology of mental illness. Educating the patients themselves, besides their families, about what OCD is may be part of the growing broad awareness of mental illness that should help in managing the problem.
Paranoia
What is it? Paranoia is a feeling or thought of being markedly anxious or fearful sensations associated with persecution, threat, or conspiracy. It is most commonly diagnosed in several mental health disorders, including paranoid personality disorder, delusional disorder, and schizophrenia.
Signs
- Mistrust of others, even friends, family, or partners
- Belief that others are deceiving, harming, or exploiting them
- Reluctance to confide in others due to unwarranted fear
- Hostile and aggressive behaviour in response to perceived threats
Causes
- Genetic influences
- Neurological factors
- Environmental triggers such as stress or trauma
Treatment: Psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy will, most of the time, suffice to take away the paranoia. Counselling, along with establishing good relationships, can eventually ease away the fear in the long run. If this is just a manifestation of a bigger psychotic disorder, then the giving of antipsychotic medication would also help. Better education and enlightenment regarding mental illnesses can remove the stigma attached to paranoia, and more people will seek help.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is it? Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of those seriously debilitating conditions that might affect those who witness or, worse, personally undergo any of the devastating, life-threatening events such as natural disasters, major accidents, terrorist incidents, sudden loss of a family member, war, violent personal attack like rape, and more.
- Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks and nightmares
- Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma
- Increased arousal, such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feeling jumpy, and being easily irritated and angered
Causes
- Direct exposure to traumatic event
- Witnessing a trauma
- Learning someone close experienced trauma
- Repeated exposure to aversive details of traumatic events
Treatment: There are specific techniques for this disorder, such as CBT, EMDR, and sometimes medication, like SSRIs, in the treatment of PTSD. Education and mental illness awareness play a very pivotal role in the treatment of mental diseases as they can help the afflicted individual identify symptoms of a mental health disorder and seek treatment.
Psychosis
What is it? It is an illness that changes the way information functions in your brain. The primary function is to disorient you from reality. You may see, hear, or even believe things that aren't there. Psychosis is a symptom, not an illness. It tends to start in young adults.
Signs
- Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren't there
- Delusions or false beliefs that are not based in reality
- Disorganized thinking and speech
- Extreme agitation or a complete lack of motivation
Causes
- Genetic predisposition
- Brain chemistry and structure
- Substance use
- Extreme stress or trauma
Treatment: The treatment may include psychotic patients who are treated with antipsychotic drugs and may receive cognitive-behavioural therapy to reduce the symptoms further and improve the quality of life. Awareness about mental illness needs to be done to break myths among people regarding psychosis and help the patients seek and carry on their treatment.
Schizophrenia
What is it? Among the mental health disorders in their complexities is schizophrenia since it is presented as a severe, chronic, and disabling disturbance in the brain because of the additional character that it presents with distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self, and behaviour.
Signs
- Delusions, such as believing that other people are reading their minds or controlling their thoughts
- Hallucinations, especially hearing voices
- Disorganized thinking
- Extremely disorganized or abnormal motor behaviour
Causes
- Genetics
- Brain chemistry and structure
- Birth complications
- Childhood infections
Treatment: Above everything else, treatment for schizophrenia usually focuses on symptom management for a better quality of life in combination with antipsychotic drugs that significantly reduce the core symptoms.
Psychotherapy with cognitive behavioural therapy also proves helpful in dealing with everyday problems that this disorder entails, such as poor communication, motivational difficulty, and self-care.
Since followed by job skills training, social skills training, and supported employment, rehabilitation has been a tool for the better living of those who have schizophrenia in the community. It also came with continuing family therapy and education alongside a reduction in lapses.
How are Mental Health Disorders Diagnosed?
Diagnosing mental illnesses and disorders typically involves several steps and is done by a qualified mental health professional. Here’s a general outline of the process:
Clinical Assessment
This may involve a detailed interview where the therapist asks about symptoms of a mental health problem, family history, lifestyle, and overall health. It can also include questionnaires or self-assessment tools.
Physical Examination
Sometimes, a physical exam or lab tests are conducted to rule out physical causes for the symptoms of a mental health problem, like a thyroid disorder or vitamin deficiency, which can mimic mental illness symptoms.
Observation of Behavior and Mood
Mental health professionals look for patterns or behaviours that align with recognized criteria; they usually use diagnostic tools such as the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5, the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
Evaluation of Daily Functioning
Assessment of how symptoms of a mental health problem affect the individual’s ability to function in daily life is also a crucial part of the diagnosis.
Complications
Physical Health Issues
The old associations that people hold between mental illnesses and states of the mind always make them forget the simple fact that these illnesses affect their bodies. These individuals who face mental health issues are more prone to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
If you tend to be constantly stressed or depressed, your body will always be in a "fight or flight" state, thus wearing down your heart and arteries faster than usual. More importantly, depressed or anxious people are probably less likely to exercise or eat well, thereby increasing their risk for physical health problems.
Social and Relationship Problems
Mental illnesses can make it quite problematic to maintain good relations. For instance, if one suffers from grave anxiety, then one may develop an aversion towards a range of social situations that create undue and piling strain on one's head, leading to isolation.
Or, if a person has bipolar disorder, all the mood swings can be pretty challenging to deal with for friends and family if they are not aware of what is happening. It's as if someone has lost it while having a bad day.
Imagine the feeling multiplied in a worse shape, and it is not one bad day but multiple. This situation brings about a downfall and failure in relationships because others do not know how to help or react.
Work and School Problems
Just try to work or learn with a constant fog in the brain; mental illnesses often make it hard to pay attention, become motivated, or wake up in the morning.
This can translate to lousy school or work performances, missing several days, or even losing jobs-the consequence is more stress-stagnation of the mental health symptoms. That's a vicious circle that can be rather challenging to break without the proper support and accommodations.
Substance Abuse
When people have problems with mental health, they often opt for alcohol or drugs, thinking that it's a quick way to deal with the situation. For example, using a bandage on a wound that needs stitches may cover up the issue for a while but doesn't fix the problem underneath.
This was very likely to lead to substance abuse disorders, further complicating things. It is like sinking into a deeper hole as one tries to climb out of the hole that made him sink in.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
This is probably one of the most critical complications of mental illnesses. Sometimes, people dealing with mental health disorders might feel hopeless and unable to see a way out of their pain. These feelings can sometimes lead to thoughts about suicide attempts.
It's as though the pain of one's mind just becomes unbearable, and nothing else seems to matter more than the belief that there are no options left. And that is the reason why the very early recognition of signs and effective treatment is so crucial; in short, it could just literally save your life.
Can Mental Illness Be Prevented?
Lifestyle Adjustments 🏃♂️
Regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep are three examples of healthy living habits to be adopted to reinforce mental strength.
Such habits reduce symptoms of the psychological disorder, thus helping a person's well-being. If acted on appropriately, mental illness can be avoided or worsened.
Early Detection and Treatment 🔍
Early signs of mental illness and prompt intervention would be crucial for proper management and the prevention of mental illnesses.
Appropriate follow-ups in terms of regular check-ups on mental health will ensure early detection and timely intervention can minimize the severity of disorders. Education concerning awareness about mental illness is contributing to this early recognition and subsequent intervention.
Building Social Connections 🤝
Close social ties can be an important source of emotional support and psychosocial protective factors against mental illness.
For many people, quality relationships and community involvement can help mitigate the effects of loneliness and isolation, both known triggers for a host of mental health problems.
A greater understanding of mental illness in these networks also builds greater mutual understanding and support.
Mental Illness Awareness and Education 📚
Education is a broad tool to help improve awareness about mental illness. It enables people to recognize and react to symptoms of a mental health problem.
Educational programs in schools, workplaces, and within the community can demystify mental health disorders and encourage a more supportive environment.
Public awareness campaigns further reduce stigma and foster a society that's more knowledgeable about mental health care and prevention.
Let's Take the First Step Together
If you or someone you care about is facing mental health challenges, it can feel daunting to take the first step towards healing. But you don't have to do it alone.
At KMA Therapy, we're ready to walk alongside you or your loved one on this journey. Give us a call or book your first session online.
Let's start a conversation and work together towards a brighter, healthier future. Reach out today—we're here and ready to support you every step of the way.
