Here's what you need to know about Mental Disorders.

What are mental disorders?

Mental disorder is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of conditions and experiences, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and others. These illnesses are characterized by unusual thoughts or behaviors that interfere with a person’s daily functioning and impair their ability to interact with others.

What are some types of mental disorders?

Mental disorders are a wide variety of conditions that affect a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. 

Some common types of mental illness include anxiety disorders, depression and other mood or affective disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Mental health professionals are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of mental health conditions.

What causes mental disorders?

Mental illness is the result of many factors that can include 

• genetics, 

• life experiences, 

• biological imbalances in the brain, 

• a traumatic brain injury, 

• environmental influences during pregnancy, 

• alcohol or drug use, 

• serious medical conditions, and a lack of social connection. 

While there is no single cause for mental illness, each of these factors can contribute to an individual’s risk.Mental disorders are not caused by character flaws. They have nothing to do with being lazy or weak.

Who is at risk for mental disorders?

Mental disorders are common. More than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life.

How are mental disorders diagnosed?

The steps to getting a diagnosis include:

• A medical history

• A physical exam and possibly lab tests, if your provider thinks that other medical conditions could be causing your symptoms

• A psychological evaluation. You will answer questions about your thinking, feelings, and behaviors.

What are the treatments for mental disorders?

Treatments for mental disorders rely on the symptoms and severity of the condition. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but instead involves a tailored plan between you and your healthcare provider. This may consist of medication, therapy, or both, along with social support and tools for managing the disorder. In cases where such treatments are insufficient or when an individual is at risk for harming themselves or others, psychiatric hospitalization may be necessary. Hospitalization utilizes counseling, group activities and discussions under the guidance of mental health professionals alongside other patients in order to better address mental health challenges.