While everyone will experience sadness, anxiety or worry at various times throughout their lives, these emotions usually come and go without much harm. On the other hand, mental or psychiatric disorders last much longer, cause disruption in one’s career and personal life and can lead to serious outcomes. The following are the 5 most common types of disorders affecting millions of Americans as well as people from all over the world.
Anxiety Disorders
By far, the single most common mental (emotional) disorder is anxiety. It is estimated to affect roughly 40 million adults 18 and over in the U.S. While some anxiety is actually healthy, chronic anxiety can take its toll on a person’s quality of life. Clinical anxiety refers to apprehension about a future concern and is associated with physical reactions including muscle tension and pain. Anxiety may also lead to avoidance of certain situations that may trigger their symptoms.
According to the DSM 5 which is published by the American Psychiatric Association, there are 6 specific types of anxiety disorders including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Agoraphobia (Fear of places/situations that may trigger panic)
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
Thankfully, anxiety disorders are very treatable through a combination of therapy and certain types of medications.
Mood Disorders
One out of every ten people in the United States experience a mood disorder at some point in their life. A true mood disorder is far different from just having a bad day or experiencing the blues. They involve chronic feelings of sadness, emptiness, helplessness and hopelessness, excessive guilt, low self-esteem, and decreased energy, all of which can disrupt someone’s life.
According to John Hopkins Health System, the most common mood disorders are:
- Major depression
- Dysthymic Disorder (Minor, Persistent Depression)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Mood Disorder due to a General Medical Condition
- Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
Just like anxiety disorders, depression is treatable and usually includes both therapy and antidepressant medications.
Psychotic Disorders
People suffering from a psychotic disorder experience specific troubling symptoms including hallucinations and delusions, disorganized or incoherent speech, strange and sometimes dangerous behaviors, loss of interest in activities and personal hygiene, and confused thinking. They may also experience slowed or unusual movements and experience problems at work or school, and in their personal relationships.
The American Psychiatric Association lists several types of psychotic disorders including:
- Schizotypal (Personality) Disorder
- Delusional
- Brief Psychotic Disorder
- Schizophreniform Disorder (like Schizophrenia but shorter in duration)
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective Disorder (symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorder combined)
- Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder
- Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
Unfortunately, psychotic disorders, especially schizophrenia, aren’t as treatable as anxiety and depression. Treatment is usually life-long and consists of ongoing therapy, medications, and specialized care services including residential living.
Dementia
Dementia is a catch-all term for numerous medical conditions that are neurodegenerative in nature. The leading cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease and the second is Parkinson’s disease. Since dementia disorders are neurodegenerative, they become progressively worse over time and are irreversible. Some common symptoms of dementia include memory loss, decreased reasoning or problem-solving, confusion and disorientation, reduced concentration, personality or behavioral changes, apathy, and withdrawal or depression.
The American Psychiatric Association lists the following types of dementia-related disorders:
- Delirium (short-term confusion)
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease
- Major and Minor Frontotemporal Neurocognitive
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy Bodies
- Major and Minor Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Traumatic Brain Injury
- Substance/Medication-Induced Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to HIV Infection
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Prion Disease
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Parkinson’s Disease
- and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Huntington’s Disease
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Another Medical Condition
- Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorder due to Multiple Etiologies
- Unspecified Neurocognitive Disorder
Because there is no cure for any of the dementia disorders, treatment is primarily medication-based with supportive interventions, palliative care and eventually hospice. Medications do help with some of the symptom severity or frequency and some may slow the progression of deterioration for a while.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are more common than most people think. They are also one of the most challenging to successfully treat, because they aren’t just about food. Eating disorders are complicated and almost always require expert intervention, psychological therapy and the use of various medications.
Women are affected by eating disorders twice as much as men are and begin with unhealthy food-related habits. As the condition worsens, individuals develop obsessions surrounding food, eating, body image, weight and body shape. Some people experience symptoms including severe restriction of food, binging and purging behaviors like vomiting after eating and over-exercising. Some cases of eating disorders are so severe that they end in death.
The most common types of eating disorders are:
- Anorexia Nervosa (severely low weight; eats very little)
- Bulimia Nervosa (over-eating to extreme discomfort and purge)
- Binge Eating Disorder (most common eating disorder; over-eating with no purging or excessive exercise)
- Pica Eating Disorder (eating things that are not food)
- Rumination Disorder (regurgitating and re-eating food)
Treatment is usually lengthy and difficult. The individual may also be diagnosed with anxiety or depression making the clinical picture complex.
Final Thoughts on Common Mental Disorders
While there are lots of other mental, emotional and neurodegenerative disorders affecting millions of people, the top five are anxiety, mood, psychotic, dementia and eating disorders. The more treatable are anxiety and mood disorders and the more challenging are psychotic, dementia and eating disorders. Each disorder presents its own signs and symptoms and will require some combination of therapy, support, expert intervention and medication.