what are the types of common mental illnesses and disorders?

BridgeMental HealthAnnual Report

Types of MentalIllnesses(DSM-V)

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1 | www.bridgesupport.org

1. Psychotic Disorders

2. Mood Disorders

3. Anxiety Disorders

4. Dissociative Disorders

5. Eating Disorders

6. Sleep Disorders

7. Personality Disorders

A non-comprehensive list of major mental

health disorders

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http://www.bridgementalhealth.org/pocket-guide-common-mental-illnesses-disorders


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Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness characterised

by auditory hallucinations, paranoia, bizarre delusions,

and/or disorganised thinking. It should not be confused

with multiple personality disorder (now called

dissociative identity disorder).

(Source: Psychcharts.com)

1. Psychotic Disorders

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Bipolar Disorder, previously known as Manic-

Depression, is characterised by episodes of significantly

elevated mood, arousal, and/or energy levels (mania)

often interspersed with contrasting episodes of low

mood (depression).


2. Mood Disorders: Bipolar Disorder

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Clinical Depression, also known as Major Depressive

Disorder or Unipolar Depression, is a type of recurrent

depression is characterised by an all-encompassing low

mood, diminished self-esteem, and a loss of interest in

normally enjoyable activities. Often misunderstood as

being something that individuals should be able to

overcome by will-power alone, major depression often

requires antidepressant medication such as

an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor).


2. Mood Disorders: Clinical Depression

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Panic Disorder. A panic attack is a short period (usually

5-10 minutes) of intense fear that comes on suddenly

and is characterised by symptoms such as an increased

heart rate, shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness,

and changes in body temperature. Individuals with panic

disorder have recurring panic attacks, and often the fear

of the attacks themselves become the focus of their

anxiety. Panic Disorder often occurs together with

Agoraphobia, the fear of public places.


3. Anxiety Disorders: Panic Disorder

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Phobia Disorder: A phobia is a persistent fear of a

certain object or situation in which the individual goes to

great lengths to avoid the object or situation in a way

that is irrational and disproportional to the actual danger

posed. Common phobias include a fear of insects, dogs,

boats, needles, airplanes, elevators, etc.). Social

Anxiety Disorder is a special type of phobia in which the

individual has an extreme fear of social interaction.


3. Anxiety Disorders: Phobia Disorder

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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (often shortened

to GAD) is characterised by disproportionate worry

about everyday things (such as money, health, or

relationships) that is on-going and uncontrollable. It is

often expressed in the form of headaches, fidgeting,

nausea, irritability, fatigue, or insomnia.


3. Anxiety Disorders: Generalised Anxiety

Disorder

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Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) is

characterised by uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions)

that lead to repetitive behaviours (compulsions) aimed

at relieving the anxiety brought on by those thoughts.

Common compulsions include excessive hand washing,

repeated checking, nervous rituals, or extreme hoarding.


3. Anxiety Disorders: Obsessive-compulsive

Disorder

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop

after exposure to extreme trauma such as sexual abuse,

physical assault, or certain wartime experiences.

Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares and

hypervigilance. Prolonged exposure to trauma in which

there were no viable means of escape can lead to a

distinct but related disorder known as Complex Post-

traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)


3. Anxiety Disorders: Post-traumatic Stress

Disorder

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Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known

as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) and often

confused for Schizophrenia in the media, is a

controversial diagnosis in which an individual has two or

more distinct personalities, each with their own

memories and patterns of behaviour. The development

of these multiple personalities is a coping mechanism

caused by extreme trauma or abuse at an early age.


4. Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative

Identity Disorder

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Bulimia Nervosa is characterised by binging (eating a

large amount of food in a short amount of time) followed

by purging (an attempt to rid oneself of the food

consumed, typically by vomiting, taking a laxative,

and/or exercising excessively). The binge/purge cycle is

often followed by periods of fasting.


5. Eating Disorders: Bulimia Nervosa

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Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by a distorted self-

perception and an irrational fear of gaining weight

resulting in excessive food restriction and extreme

weight loss. It usually develops during adolescence and

early adulthood and can lead to serious metabolic and

hormonal problems.


5. Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa

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Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterised by

excessive sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks at

inappropriate times during the day. People with

narcolepsy usually also experience disturbed night-time

sleep (insomnia). It is related to cataplexy -- a sudden

but short-lasting loss of muscle tone, often triggered by

emotions


6. Sleep Disorders: Narcolepsy

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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a disorder

characterised by the instability of emotions, and

thinking, difficulties in sustaining relationships, and a

high rate of self-harming and suicidal behaviour.

People with BPD find it difficult to control their

behaviour, resulting in impulsive or self-destructive

actions. This often leads to chaotic and upsetting

interpersonal relationships.

(Source: The UK Family’s Pocket Guide to Mental Illnesses)

7. Personality Disorders: Borderline

Personality Disorder


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Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is

characterised by disregard for and violation of the rights

and needs of others, showing a lack of remorse even

when confronted with the harmful effect of their actions.

The combination of aggression, disrespect, and

impulsive features effects high rates of assaults, suicidal

behaviour, motor accidents, and sexually transmitted

diseases. Criminality is central to the definition of ASPD.

(Source: The UK Family’s Pocket Guide to Mental Illnesses)

7. Personality Disorders: Antisocial

Personality Disorder


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what are the types of common mental illnesses and disorders?

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