What Are the 7 Types of Mental Disorders?
Rod Mitchell, MSc, MC, Registered Psychologist
Key Highlights:
Understanding the signs of common mental disorders is pivotal for seeking the right treatment.
The therapists at our counselling Calgary clinic find that early intervention affects the management and prognosis of many mental health disorders.
Treatment options vary widely, from therapy and medication to lifestyle changes.
Mental health is fundamental to well-being, but understanding the range of mental disorders can be challenging. From mood to eating disorders, these conditions affect millions worldwide. Recognizing their signs and symptoms is a crucial first step towards getting the right help.
In this article from Emotions Therapy Calgary, you'll discover what the key symptoms are of 7 common types of mental disorders, learn how to identify them in yourself or others, and understand the steps to take for treatment. For those at risk or affected by these mental disorders, professional support from psychologist is vital.
Table of Contents Hide
What Are the Different Kinds of Mental Disorders?
Recognizing the signs of common mental disorders is allows you to get the right support and treatment. These disorders can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic background.
| Disorder Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Anxiety Disorders | These disorders are marked by significant fear or anxiety, which interfere with daily activities. Types include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder. |
| Mood Disorders | This category includes disorders where the primary symptom is a disturbance in mood. Major forms are Depression and Bipolar Disorder. |
| Psychotic Disorders | These disorders impact one’s ability to distinguish reality. Schizophrenia is the most known condition within this category, characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. |
| Eating Disorders | Characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits, the primary conditions are Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. |
| Personality Disorders | These are characterized by enduring, inflexible thinking, feeling, and behaving patterns. Notable examples include Borderline Personality Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. |
| Neurocognitive Disorders | Involve cognitive decline in areas such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. Examples include Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. |
| Autism Disorders | These encompass a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech, and nonverbal communication. Includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). |
1. Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) are three prevalent mental conditions that often overlap but also showcase distinct features.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Main Symptoms: Persistent and excessive worry about various activities or events, often disproportionate to the actual situation. Symptoms include restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances.
Daily Impact: GAD can make it hard to complete daily tasks. The constant worry can be draining, making focus and productivity a challenge.
Panic Disorder (PD)
Main Symptoms: Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort. During a panic attack, individuals might experience palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, or a feeling of impending doom.
Daily Impact: Fear of the next attack can lead to avoidance of certain places or situations, significantly limiting life activities and overall quality of life.
Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Main Symptoms: Intense fear of social situations due to worry about being judged, embarrassed, or rejected. It leads to avoidance of social situations and significant distress when participation in social activities is necessary.
Daily Impact: SAD can hinder relationships, educational opportunities, and career progression. It can lead to isolation and feelings of loneliness.
2. Mood Disorders
Mood disorders, encompassing major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder, can profoundly impact one's quality of life. These conditions involve significant changes in mood and emotion, ranging from severe lows (depression) to highs (mania or hypomania), often disrupting normal daily functioning.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Main Symptoms: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. Symptoms must be present for at least two weeks for a diagnosis. It's not just about feeling down; MDD affects one’s ability to function day-to-day.
Treatment Options: A combination of medication, psychotherapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy), and lifestyle changes. Antidepressants can be effective in managing symptoms.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Main Symptoms: A depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. Although symptoms might not be as severe as in MDD, their chronic nature can be equally disabling.
Treatment Approaches: Similar to MDD, including medications and psychotherapy, with a strong focus on long-term management strategies.
Bipolar Disorders
Main Symptoms: Extreme mood swings from manic episodes of elevated mood, energy, and activity levels to depressive episodes. These disorders are categorized primarily into Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder, depending on the severity and nature of the mood episodes.
Treatment Strategies: Mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and psychotherapy are standard treatments. Bipolar disorder requires careful monitoring and treatment adjustments.
3. Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders, particularly schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, significantly impact how individuals perceive reality. These disorders often manifest through delusions, hallucinations, and impaired thinking.
Schizophrenia
Typically involves symptoms classified into two categories: positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and negative symptoms, such as reduced emotional expression or decreased motivation. Cognitive symptoms, affecting memory or decision-making skills, can also be present, making daily tasks challenging.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Blends symptoms of schizophrenia with mood disorder features, including episodes of mania or depression. This dual aspect makes diagnosis and treatment complex but critical for improving quality of life.
Managing Psychotic Disorders
Medication: Antipsychotic medications are the cornerstone of treatment, aiming to reduce the prominence of psychotic symptoms. Mood stabilizers or antidepressants may also be prescribed for schizoaffective disorder.
Therapy and Support: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help manage the effects of psychosis by teaching coping strategies for delusional thoughts or hallucinations. Support groups offer a community for those with similar experiences.
Personalized support: Treatment plans should be personalized, incorporating medication management, psychotherapy, and support services. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment adherence significantly contribute to improving outcomes.
4. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders, namely anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, present complex challenges that impact both physical health and mental well-being.
Anorexia Nervosa
Characteristics: This disorder is characterized by a distorted body image and excessive dieting that leads to severe weight loss and malnutrition.
Symptoms: Intense fear of gaining weight, extremely restrictive eating habits, and a relentless pursuit of thinness.
Bulimia Nervosa
Characteristics: Individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting or excessive exercise.
Symptoms: Episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food followed by feelings of guilt, shame, and fear of weight gain.
Binge-Eating Disorder
Characteristics: This condition is marked by frequent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often very quickly and to the point of discomfort.
Symptoms: Eating in secret, feelings of shame or guilt associated with eating, and no regular use of purging behaviours.
5. Personality Disorders
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) have distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior that notably diverge from societal expectations and significantly impact day-to-day functioning.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Characteristics: Individuals with BPD often experience intense emotional instability, feelings of worthlessness, insecurity, impulsivity, and difficulties in maintaining relationships. A key symptom is the fear of abandonment, which can lead to frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined separation.
Treatment: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is highly recommended, emphasizing emotional regulation and the development of coping skills. Skills training groups, individual therapy sessions, and phone coaching are the core components of DBT.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
Characteristics: ASPD is marked by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to maintain long-term relationships, although there may be an inflated self-appraisal and superficial charm.
Treatment: Treatment focuses on psychotherapy, although this can be challenging due to the individual's reluctance to admit problems or conform to treatment plans. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can address specific problematic behaviours.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
Characteristics: OCPD features a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency. Persons with OCPD may be overly devoted to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships.
Treatment: Counselling is the treatment of choice, focusing on helping the individual relax their perfectionistic standards and become more tolerant of imperfections in themselves and others.
6. Neurocognitive Disorders
Neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, significantly impact the health and daily lives of individuals and their caregivers.
Symptoms and Challenges
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Memory loss | Disrupts daily activities, including forgetting important dates or events. |
| Difficulty in planning or solving problems | Experiencing challenges in developing and following plans or working with numbers. |
| Trouble completing familiar tasks | Struggles with completing daily tasks at home, at work, or during leisure activities. |
| Confusion with time or place | Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. |
| Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships | Difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining colour or contrast, leading to driving challenges. |
| New problems with words in speaking or writing | Stopping in the middle of a conversation and having no idea how to continue or repeating themselves. |
| Misplacing things | Placing things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps to find them again. |
| Decreased or poor judgment | Making poor decisions, such as giving large amounts of money to telemarketers. |
| Withdrawal from work or social activities | Showing a reluctance to engage in social activities, work projects, or hobbies that were once enjoyable. |
| Changes in mood and personality | Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious, especially when out of their comfort zone. |
Tips for Caregivers
Education is Key: Understand the specific neurocognitive disorder you're dealing with. Knowledge about the condition helps in better management and prepares you for potential changes.
Self-Care is Crucial: Taking care of yourself is not selfish. Caregivers need to maintain their health and well-being to provide the best care for their loved ones.
Seek Support: Joining a support group can provide valuable advice, understanding, and encouragement from people in similar situations.
Legal and Financial Planning: Early planning for the legal and financial aspects can help avoid future crises.
Be Flexible: What works today may not work tomorrow. Stay open to changing routines as needed.
7. Autism Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech, and nonverbal communication. Early diagnosis is important, as are strategies for social inclusion and support.
Core Symptoms:
Difficulties in communication across various social situations
Limited interest in activities or focus on specific subjects
Repetitive movements or speech patterns
Early signs typically appear in childhood
Importance of Early Diagnosis
Recognizing ASD early in a child's life significantly impacts their ability to benefit from tailored educational programs and therapies. It improves long-term outcomes by enabling strategies that support development and well-being.
Educational and behavioral interventions are key. Tailored learning strategies and structured support can enhance an individual's ability to engage in society and lead a fulfilling life.
Lesser-Known Mental Disorders
Dissociative disorders disrupt a person’s sense of self, memories, or awareness. They can emerge from a history of trauma and may cause significant distress. Key forms include:
Dissociative Amnesia: Forgetting personal information or past experiences, often after a traumatic event.
Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder: Feeling disconnected from oneself or the surrounding world.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Previously known as multiple personality disorder, DID is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states.
Impulse control disorders, on the other hand, involve difficulty resisting the urge to perform actions that could be harmful. Prominent examples are:
Pyromania: A compulsion to set fires.
Kleptomania: An uncontrollable urge to steal items, typically without personal or financial need.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder: Sudden episodes of aggressive or violent behaviour out of proportion to the situation.
Treatment
Both dissociative and impulse control disorders can be managed effectively with the right approach. This usually involves a combination of therapy and, occasionally, medication. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) are particularly beneficial, focusing on understanding the disorders' root causes and developing coping mechanisms.
Professional help is strongly advised for anyone struggling with these disorders. While they can be complex, early intervention and consistent treatment can significantly improve quality of life. It’s also crucial for loved ones to educate themselves about the conditions and support the individual through their journey to recovery.
Early Signs of Mental Disorders
| Strategy | Approach |
|---|---|
| Common Symptoms | Familiarize yourself with early warning signs of mental health conditions. Websites like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provide comprehensive guides on symptoms associated with various mental disorders. |
| Open Communication | Encourage open conversations with loved ones if you notice potential early signs of mental distress. Offer support without judgment. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) have tips on starting these important discussions. |
| Professional Consultation | If you suspect the presence of a mental disorder, consulting with healthcare providers is essential. Primary care doctors can offer referrals to mental health resources. PsychCentral offers a therapist directory for finding specialists in your area. |
| Digital Tools | Digital platforms provide accessible options for monitoring mental health. Apps like Moodfit offer self-help tools, aiding in early detection and intervention. |
| Community Programs | Participating in community initiatives can promote awareness and reduce stigma. The Mental Health Foundation runs various programs aimed at early intervention and education. |
Conclusion
Each of the 7 types of mental health disorders presents its own set of challenges, from the profound impact on daily living to the effects on relationships and self-perception. Yet, there's a unifying theme of hope and resilience. With the appropriate guidance, treatment, and support, individuals can navigate these challenges, finding pathways to recovery and improved quality of life.
For those looking for professional support, Emotions Therapy Calgary offers a compassionate and informed approach. If you or someone you care about is navigating the complexities of mental health issues, we invite you to book a free 20-minute consultation for therapy sessions. Together, we can work towards a brighter, healthier future.
