What Are the Most Commonly Diagnosed Mental Health Disorders?

Mental illness can affect anyone, whether you’re a young and bustling high schooler or a middle-aged homeowner struggling with the demands of life. There are plenty of mental illnesses, but identifying the most common ones helps medical professionals and people with a mental health disorder understand what’s going on and what they can do to improve their symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are some of the most treatable illnesses, but less than half of those affected receive the necessary treatment. These disorders are common and characterized by extreme worry or fear. Most anxiety disorders have relatively similar symptoms and may include difficulty focusing, feeling weak or lacking energy, and struggling to rid themselves of feelings of fear.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This disorder is characterized by general feelings of worry and fear. Typically patients are diagnosed after a prolonged period where they feel an overwhelming sense of worry or concern (around six months). Patients usually report that their worrying feels “normal” and that they agonize about anything ranging from food, money, or clothing.

Social Anxiety Disorder

While it is normal to feel awkward going to interviews or dates, social anxiety disorder is a phenomenon on its own. You might have social anxiety disorder if you feel anxiety or fear when going out in normal social settings or completing everyday activities. This stress can impact day-to-day activities and disrupt your daily routines, so it’s important to have symptoms diagnosed by a professional.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

One of the most common mental illnesses, PTSD, plagues individuals who have experienced a distressing or frightening event or after prolonged trauma. Instances such as sexual violence, serious accidents, or — as it’s mostly known— war and combat. PTSD symptoms include uncomfortable or disturbing thoughts about the traumatic events, including nightmares and flashbacks. PTSD treatment is usually done through avoidance of the stimulus and should be done under the viewership of a PTSD residential treatment center.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is another well-known disorder characterized by recurring thoughts or fears that prompt repeated odd or awkward behaviors. While symptoms include both obsessions and compulsions, it’s fairly common for you only to experience one or the other. Obsessions typically have a common theme, such as fear of germs or contamination, fear of uncertainty, and thoughts of aggression or the desire for things to be orderly and symmetrical.

Mood Disorders

About 1 in 10 adults suffer from mood disorders characterized by feelings of emptiness, anxiousness, or sadness. Both children and adults can have mood disorders, but it’s very common for symptoms to change with age. Mood disorders are usually caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals or extreme and prolonged stressful life experiences. They may also be generational and run in families.

Depression

Depression (also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a mental health disorder that severely affects how you think and feel daily. Symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness or empty moods.
• Extreme feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.
• Thoughts of death or suicide.

Different types of depression include major depression, persistent depressive disorder, perinatal depression, and seasonal affective depression. It’s important to immediately receive treatment if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health issue that causes mood swings on either end of the extremes. Patients with this disorder usually experience extreme highs followed by extreme lows that can be highly confusing if they aren’t diagnosed. These mood swings are unpredictable and can affect your ability to sleep, engage in routines or activities, and impact your judgment or behavior daily.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are psychological conditions that cause people to develop unsafe and unhealthy eating habits. In these cases, people focus on body weight and shape and engage in food binges or purging that impact their figure. Three common eating disorders include:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder

If you believe an eating disorder is the root cause of issues you or a loved one are suffering from, pay attention to signs like dramatic weight loss, extreme weight fluctuations, or concerns about eating in public. People also become obsessed over weight, calories, and dieting and experience behavioral changes, and engage in excessive exercise. In any case, the best treatment method is turning to a professional like Clearview Treatment — an eating disorder treatment center near Los Angeles.

Get Mental Health Treatment From the Experts at Clearview Treatment

While these mental health conditions take a toll on their occupants, you don’t have to fight them alone. Because these conditions are so common, plenty of research and resources are available to help anyone looking for assistance. If you or a loved one is in need of mental health treatment, call the professionals at Clearview Treatment today at 866-339-3544.