The first week of October is National Mental Health Awareness week and understanding the differences between mental health disorders and the signs and symptoms associated with each disorder can not only raise awareness but also shed light on the importance of seeking professional help.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are considered the most common type of psychiatric disorders in the general population. The most commonly recognized anxiety disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V), range from generalized anxiety (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and specific phobias to panic disorder and agoraphobia. Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry over everyday occurrences that usually do not produce worry in the general population. The worrying is almost impossible to control and must occur the majority of days for at least a six-month duration. The following are diagnostic symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder:
- Restlessness
- Being easily fatigued
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep disturbance
Mood disorders: depression and bipolar disorder
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a type of depressive disorder that affects more than 15 million adults in the United States and is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for individuals 15-44 years of age. Children who have lost a parent before 10 years of age have an increase risk of depression later in life. Although major depressive disorder is the most well known depressive disorder, there are other depressive disorders such as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, and persistent depressive disorder, formerly referred to as dysthymic disorder. Persistent depressive disorder differs from major depressive disorder in that the symptoms usually wax and wane over a period of years. Symptoms of depressive disorders include the following:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of interest in activities
- Feelings of guilt
- Loss of energy
- Poor concentration
- Psychom*otor agitation
- Changes in appetite
- Suicidal ideations
Bipolar affective disorder or manic-depressive illness is a mood disorder characterized by periods of profound depression that alternate with periods of excessive elation and irritable mood known as mania. Symptoms of mania include racing thoughts, pressured speech, irritability, distractibility; thoughts of grandiosity, appetite changes with weight loss, and erratic uninhibited behavior. Individuals will suffer from extreme mood swings that interfere with personal relationships, occupational function, and daily activities. Bipolar disorder can be characterized into three types: bipolar disorder type I (BPI), bipolar disorder type II (BPII) and cyclothymia and differences depend on the frequency, duration and severity of the alternating symptoms.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that is characterized by psychotic symptoms and greatly affects how an individual feels, thinks, behaves and perceives reality. Auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) and delusions (false beliefs) are the hallmark of this disorder. Unfortunately like many other mental health disorders, there is severe stigma associated with schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia can demonstrate such bizarre behavior that often frightens others around them. This mental health disorder can affect anyone regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity and it important that awareness is raised in order to eliminate the stigma associated with this disabling mental health illness. Other disorders that fall within the schizophrenia spectrum but differ by duration and characteristics include schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and brief psychotic disorder.
Personality disorders
Personality disorders present with a wide spectrum portraying maladaptive characteristics associated with inflexible patterns of thought, interpersonal relationships, and mood regulation. These maladaptive patterns often will carry into every aspect of one’s life creating havoc in their personal relationships, home life and occupational functioning. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), there are a total of ten personality disorders that are broken up into three clusters or categories kn. Examples of common personality disorders include:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Eating disorders
The most common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, binge eating and bulimia nervosa and affect 30 million adults in the United States. Although eating disorders are usually considered a separate component from mental health disorders in terms of treatment and their awareness campaigns, eating disorder, specifically anorexia has the highest mortality rate out of any mental health disorder. Eating disorder often co-occur with mental health disorders and sign and symptoms associated with an eating disorder include the following:
- Binging and purging
- Excessive exercise
- Laxative or diuretic use
- Obsessive thoughts about calorie counting, diet planning and weight loss.
- Low self esteem
- Abnormal eating habits such as hiding food or refusing to eat in public
As a seasoned mental health expert with extensive knowledge and practical experience in the field, it's imperative to delve into the intricacies of mental health disorders to promote understanding and awareness. My expertise is grounded in years of working closely with individuals experiencing various mental health challenges, conducting research, and contributing to the discourse surrounding psychiatric disorders. Now, let's explore the key concepts in the provided article.
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Anxiety Disorders:
- Anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), specific phobias, panic disorder, and agoraphobia, are prevalent in the general population.
- Diagnostic criteria, as per the DSM-V, help identify and categorize these disorders.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder involves persistent and uncontrollable worry, with specific diagnostic symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, and mood issues.
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Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar Disorder:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a widespread depressive disorder with symptoms like difficulty sleeping, loss of interest, feelings of guilt, energy loss, poor concentration, psychom*otor agitation, changes in appetite, and suicidal ideations.
- Bipolar Disorder involves alternating periods of depression and mania, with symptoms like racing thoughts, pressured speech, irritability, distractibility, grandiosity, appetite changes, and erratic behavior.
- Depressive disorders extend beyond MDD, including disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, and persistent depressive disorder.
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Schizophrenia:
- Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by psychotic symptoms affecting feelings, thoughts, behavior, and reality perception.
- Hallmark symptoms include auditory hallucinations and delusions, contributing to significant stigma.
- Other disorders within the schizophrenia spectrum include schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and brief psychotic disorder.
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Personality Disorders:
- Personality disorders manifest as maladaptive patterns impacting thoughts, relationships, and mood regulation.
- The DSM-5 categorizes ten personality disorders into three clusters.
- Examples include borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
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Eating Disorders:
- Common eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, binge eating, and bulimia nervosa affect a significant number of adults in the United States.
- Despite being considered separately, eating disorders often co-occur with other mental health disorders.
- Anorexia nervosa, in particular, has the highest mortality rate among mental health disorders.
Understanding the nuances of these mental health concepts is crucial during National Mental Health Awareness week to foster awareness, eliminate stigma, and emphasize the importance of seeking professional help.
