Mental Health Disorders
A mental health disorder is an illness that affects how you think, feel and behave. It can cause problems with your relationships, school or work.
Everyone is at risk of developing a mental health disorder. It’s caused by a combination of genetics, how your brain works and how you were raised. Environmental factors such as stress can also increase your risk of developing a mental health condition.
Depression
There are many different types of mental health disorders. Some are mild and only interfere in limited ways with everyday life, while others can be serious enough to need treatment in a hospital.
These disorders involve a disruption in brain chemistry or a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder. They can be diagnosed by a primary care physician, psychiatrist or other licensed healthcare professional.
Some people are at greater risk for developing a mental illness due to their genetics, life situations or environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins, alcohol or drugs in utero. Other risk factors include stress, anxiety, social isolation, family history of a mental illness and other conditions.
Anxiety
Mental disorders are a broad category of illnesses that create abnormalities in the way you think, feel and behave. They affect people of all ages and backgrounds worldwide.
Some of these disorders can lead to addiction.
Anxiety is an emotion that can be a normal part of life, but if it interferes with your daily routine and you have an uncontrollable feeling of dread or fear, you may have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and phobias. Those with GAD will often have an almost continuous sense of dread, even when there is nothing to worry about.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that can cause hallucinations and delusions, disorganization of thought processes, a blunted motivation to engage in life’s activities, and distorted perception of reality.
People with schizophrenia often hear voices, feel that they are being harmed or harassed and think that others are reading their minds, controlling them or planning to harm them.
The most common symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs that seem irrational and unsupported by evidence.
Bipolar disorder
There are many types of mental health disorders. Some are triggered by certain drugs or alcohol, while others may occur due to a medical condition.
Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder that can affect how you feel, think, and act. Symptoms are different for every person, but they can include extreme highs and lows in mood.
People with bipolar disorder are also more likely to have psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations. Treatment can help reduce the severity of episodes and improve a person’s overall well-being.
The earlier a person with bipolar disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better chance they have of recovery. Visit SAMHSA’s Early Serious Mental Illness Treatment Locator to find a specialty program near you.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a chronic condition that affects your physical and mental health. It causes problems with your work, finances, and relationships. It can also increase your risk for several types of cancer.
There are medications to help reduce cravings, relapse, and withdrawal symptoms. They include naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram.
Addiction
A mental illness is a condition that affects your mood, thinking, or behavior. It can make it difficult to function at work, school or in relationships.
Depression, anxiety and addiction are common conditions among people with mental health disorders. These disorders can be treated with psychotherapy and medication.
People who have a mental illness often use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. This may help them deal with symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue and paranoid thoughts. But it can also lead to substance abuse and addiction.
