Mental illnesses can take many different forms, and each one can present with a different set of symptoms. The following list of the most prevalent mental health conditions and the symptoms they are associated with:
1. Anxiety Disorders: Excessive and persistent worry, fear, or nervousness are symptoms of anxiety disorders. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder are a few examples of common anxiety disorders.
Symptoms may include:
- Breathlessness
- Trembling or shaking,
- Sweating,
- Nausea or other digestive issues
- Trouble concentrating
2. Mood Disorders: Mood disorders, such as depression or mania, are characterised by mood disruptions. Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder are a few examples of common mood disorders. There are a number of symptoms that can occur, such as:
- Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities
- Changes in appetite or weight
- changes in sleep patterns
- exhaustion or a lack of energy
- feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- thoughts of harming oneself or taking their own life.
3. Personality Disorders: Personality disorders are characterised by rigid and unyielding thought, emotion, and behaviour patterns that can significantly disrupt or impair day-to-day functioning. Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and avoidant personality disorder are a few examples of common personality disorders. There are a number of symptoms that can be present, such as:
- Difficulty establishing and maintaining close relationships
- Fear of abandonment; impulsivity or recklessness
- Emotional instability
- An unstable sense of self
- Inappropriate anger or hostility
- Difficulty placing your trust in other people
4. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A group of chronic and severe mental illnesses that can seriously impair thinking, feeling, and behaviour are referred to as schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The following are the symptoms:
- Delusions or false beliefs,
- hallucinations, or hearing or seeing things that aren’t there,
- disorganised speech or behaviour,
- decreased emotional expression, or inappropriate emotional responses,
- difficulty concentrating or focusing,
- difficulty making decisions, or social withdrawal or isolation.
5. Substance Use Disorders: Substance use disorders are marked by frequent drug or alcohol use, which can significantly impair function or cause distress. The following signs may be present:
- Strong urges or cravings for drugs or alcohol;
- Continued use despite negative effects;
- Difficulty controlling drug use;
- Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop using;
- Neglecting obligations or activities in favour of drug use.
- Repetitive behaviors or rituals performed to reduce anxiety
6. Eating Disorders: Eating disorders are characterised by changes in eating habits that can have a serious impact on both physical and mental health. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are a few examples of common eating disorders. These signs could be:
- Extreme weight gain or loss
- Refusal to maintain a healthy weight
- Obsessive thoughts about food and body weight
- Preoccupation with body shape or size;
- Purging behaviours like vomiting or excessive exercise;
- Social withdrawal or isolation
7. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: These conditions are characterised by persistent, bothersome thoughts or actions that can interfere with day-to-day activities. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hoarding disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder are a few examples of common types of OCD and related disorders. Symptoms may include:
- Upsetting or unwanted obsessive thoughts or images
- Difficulty controlling or stopping obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors
- Fear of contamination or harm
- Difficulty making decisions
- Social withdrawal or isolation
8. Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders: Reactions to traumatic or stressful life events are at the root of trauma and stressor-related disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, and adjustment disorder are a few examples of common trauma and stressor-related disorders. There are a number of symptoms that could be present, such as: intrusive thoughts or memories of the traumatic event;
- Avoidance of reminders of the trauma;
- Hypervigilance or increased arousal;
- Nightmares or flashbacks; feelings of detachment or numbness;
- Difficulty falling asleep or concentrating;
- Irritability or anger.
9. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can lead to issues with impulsivity, hyperactivity, and attention. Some signs include:
- Trouble paying attention or concentrating on tasks;
- excessive restlessness or fidgeting;
- talking excessively or interrupting others;
- trouble waiting for turns; forgetfulness or poor organisation;
- impulsivity or poor decision-making.
- Difficulty following through on tasks or instructions
10. Sleep Disorders: Sleep disorders are characterised by irregularities in the quantity, timing, or quality of sleep. Sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia are a few examples of common sleep disorders. The following signs and symptoms could be present:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep;
- Daytime fatigue or sleepiness;
- Loud snoring or gasping during sleep;
- Difficulty breathing during sleep;
- Unpleasant leg sensations that keep you awake; nightmares or sleepwalking.