8 Types of Mental Illnesses
Table of Contents
Alter Behavioral Health Can Help
Each year, roughly 1 in 5 American adults experience one of the types of mental illnesses. Even so, the stigma regarding mental illness remains, which is unfortunate because today’s treatments can lead to largely successful outcomes. With treatment, people with mental illness can learn how to effectively manage their condition and improve their quality of life. In many cases, patients who receive treatment can even eliminate symptoms, essentially putting their disease into remission.
Alter Behavioral Health specializes in behavioral and mental health conditions. We treat each person with compassion and dignity, providing a modern understanding of mental illness and treating each patient with the expertise we’re known for. In our care, treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. At that point, our clinicians can recommend the ideal treatment course with a plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs. We understand that experiencing a mental health disorder or crisis can feel overwhelming. Our clinicians can help you experience relief from your symptoms and develop strategies for successfully managing your condition.
If you are experiencing mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, be sure to get in touch with Alter Behavioral Health. We specialize in mental health treatment. Let our clinicians help you manage your addiction by developing new coping strategies and learning how to prevent relapse. The following are the various types of mental illnesses that people experience.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are one category of mental illnesses that include many common conditions, including major depression, bipolar disorder, and substance-induced mood disorders. Medical researchers have not uncovered a clear-cut or definitive cause of mood disorders. Many researchers believe, though more study is required, that these disorders are the result of chemical imbalances. Also, some mood disorders seem to be inherited and run through families.
Today, clinicians can treat mood disorders in a variety of ways. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) like cognitive-behavioral therapy is a leading mood disorder treatment. Medications like antidepressants are also crucial for the treatment of mood disorders. Today’s mood disorder treatments and medications are highly effective. However, sometimes patients require more advanced support, such as hospitalization. At Alter Behavioral Health, clinicians evaluate each person’s condition as everyone is different and may require a slightly unique approach. It’s also not uncommon for clinicians to make changes in treatment plans as needed.
Anxiety Disorders
There are various types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, and separation anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent worry and fear. While anxiety is a normal stress reaction, it can escalate and lead to considerable problems that are both mental and physical. People with anxiety disorders may experience symptoms such as:
- Shortness of breath.
- Trembling.
- Nausea.
- Fear of dying.
- Catastrophizing.
- Feeling dizzy.
- Feeling faint.
- Abdominal pain.
- Hot flashes.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Feeling detached.
- Pounding heart.
Today, clinicians treat anxiety with psychotherapy, anti-anxiety medications, and antidepressants. The medications help as they’re extremely effective, but talk therapy is also important. Therapy helps patients confront unhealthy thoughts and patterns that can underscore their anxiety, such as realizing that jumping to thoughts of worst-case scenarios is unhealthy and can trigger more anxious thinking. Clinicians help patients recognize and stop when they are doing that.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders impact both physical and mental health. These are serious health conditions that can kill people if not treated. Common eating disorders include:
- Anorexia nervosa.
- Bulimia.
- Binge-eating disorder.
- Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder.
Eating disorders are governed by an underlying sense of compulsion to not eat. Symptoms vary depending on the type of disease in question. About 9% of Americans will have some type of eating disorder in their lifetime, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
People who suffer from eating disorders tend to experience disturbing thoughts and emotions. The disorders can become increasingly serious; many people suffering from eating disorders may require hospitalization to address both psychological and physical problems.
Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders involve abnormal patterns of thinking and abnormal perceptions. These are serious disorders that can also include delusions and hallucinations. People with these disorders tend to lose touch with reality. Some psychotic disorder warning signs include:
- Withdrawal from family and friends.
- Lack of emotional response.
- Decrease in motivation.
- Exhibiting unusual behavior.
- Suspicion.
- Hostility.
- Strange ideas/beliefs.
- Hallucinations.
Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are among the most common types of psychotic disorders. Clinicians will treat these disorders with medications, and hospitalization may be necessary as well.
Addiction Disorders
Substance use disorders are extremely common. More than 22 million people have an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Substance use disorder involves powerful physical, mental, and behavioral dependencies. Patients need to manage each aspect of addiction to achieve lasting recovery.
A person can become addicted to some substances with just a few uses. Substances like methamphetamine, heroin, and alcohol have very high relapse rates. With quality addiction treatment, patients can manage their addiction successfully. People can find inpatient and outpatient treatment programs and offerings like medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment.
Although there isn’t a cure for addiction, it can be successfully managed. Many of the best treatment programs feature evidence-based treatments, holistic treatments, and alternative treatments that support lasting recovery.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders involve unhealthy patterns of thinking and behaving. These patterns often make it difficult for people to manage their emotions and thoughts. They often struggle to maintain relationships and may suffer from symptoms such as:
- The unsubstantiated belief that someone is trying to harm them.
- Hesitancy to confide in other people.
- Hostile reactions to perceived slights.
- Struggling to pick up social cues.
- Flat emotions.
- Disregard for the feelings of others.
- The tendency to hold a grudge.
- Aggressive or violent behavior.
- Suspicion and distrust.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common disorder that causes chronic and sometimes uncontrollable thoughts or obsessions. This condition involves unwanted feelings and thoughts that drive a person to perform some type of compulsion. It might be repeatedly checking that doors are locked or that all stove dials are turned off, for example. Other compulsive behaviors common with this disorder include:
- Repeated hand washing.
- Number rituals (with counting).
- Arranging things in a specific way.
Clinicians treat OCD with interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications. Sometimes a person can benefit from neurosurgical treatment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur when a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event such as war or abuse. People with this condition often experience nightmares, flashbacks of the trauma, insomnia, irritability, and anxiety. Clinicians will offer therapies to reduce symptoms and also to help people resolve and cope with past trauma or traumatic events.
Alter Behavioral Health Is Ready to Help Treat Most Types of Mental Illnesses
Whether you are experiencing symptoms of one of the types of mental illnesses for the first time or are struggling to manage a long-term condition, Alter Behavioral Health can help. We rely on evidence-based therapies and medications to treat the gamut of mental illnesses. From symptom relief to long-term management strategies, our treatments help patients move toward effective condition management to achieve improved wellness and quality of life. If you are struggling with a mental health condition, call Alter Behavioral Health at 866-647-2716 to schedule a consultation right away.
