The Most Common Mental Health Conditions

Mental disorders are a topic that is widely misunderstood. There are many assumptions and misconceptions about mental disorders, due primarily to how they are portrayed in media, film, and other fiction scenarios. However, mental disorders are quite common and can be seen in each culture throughout the world. Below, we will look at a few of the most common mental disorders, as featured in an article on Davis Behavioral Health . It is important to note that no one should assume they have a mental disorder without getting a proper diagnosis, as specific steps need to be taken to keep each one under control.

Anxiety Disorders

This is the most common category of mental disorders in the United States and has an effect on an estimated 40 million adults who are 18 or older. However, children do also experience anxiety disorders as well. Anxiety disorders cause people to feel frequent apprehension and fear and share a great deal of distress. The difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder is essential. Everyone has times when they feel eager: such as before a job interview, big presentation, or performance. When you have an anxiety disorder, you tend to experience these feelings when no stressful event occurs. Also, these bouts of anxiety can have the ability to last up to 6 months at a time per episode when they happen.

Mood Disorders

A mood disorder is said to affect at least one in every ten adults. Everyone has feelings of being moody and having mood swings every so often; however, mood disorders are much more severe, persistent and can completely disrupt someone’s everyday life. Mood disorders can have different specific characteristics, but many people feel constant feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, anxiousness, excessive guilt, extreme sadness, lack of energy, low self-esteem, and more. Some of the most common mood disorders include Bipolar Disorder, Dysthymia, and substance-induced mood disorder.

Eating Disorders

People must know that eating disorders are not optional; they are mental disorders. Eating disorders are not just the strained relation a person has with food. These disorders can cause people to develop unhealthy eating habits, an unhealthy obsession with their body shape, food, and body weight. Some eating disorders include Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa, and rumination disorder. These disorders are severe and can lead to severe health declines and even death for some individuals.

Originally published at https://shawnyounessi.org on July 20, 2021.