Deciphering Mental Illness: Symptoms, Classifications, and Beyond

 

All body functions work through the brain, and for proper brain functioning and overall health, mental health plays a vital role. Mental health illnesses affect our ability to think, feel, and behave, significantly impacting our day-to-day life. To gain a deeper understanding, let's look at the common symptoms of mental illness and their classifications.

 

Symptoms of Mental Illness:

There are many symptoms of mental illness that can be noticed in a person’s behaviour and health conditions. Some common symptoms include:

• Low Energy Level or Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or lack of energy.

• Overreaction or Irritability: Unreasonable anger or irritability.

• Sudden Weight Gain or Loss: Unexplained changes in weight.

• Sadness or Hopelessness: Frequent expressions of sadness or hopelessness.

• Forgetfulness or Overthinking: Trouble concentrating or constantly overthinking.

• Fear or Anxiety: Constant feelings of fear and anxiety.

• Hormonal Imbalance: Imbalances affecting mood and physical health.

• Headaches or Migraines: a person often suffer with headaches or migraines.

• Sleep Issues: Lack of sleep or oversleeping patterns.

• Suicidal Thoughts: have constant feeling of self-harm or suicide.

• Appetite Changes: Low appetite or overeating.

• Digestive Problems: Issues like indigestion, gastritis, or stomach problems.

• Social Withdrawal: Avoidance of social gatherings or reduced social interaction.

• Negative Self-Talk: Frequent negative thoughts about oneself.

• Low Interest in Work: Reduced interest or motivation in work.

• Neglect of Personal Care: Ignoring personal hygiene and self-care.

• Emotional outburst: sudden mood shifts.

Recognizing these symptoms can be crucial in identifying and addressing mental health issues early on.

 

Classification of Mental Health Disorder:

There are hundreds of mental health disorders. Let’s explore some of the most common illnesses overview:

 

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders developed with feelings of fear that cause distress and hindrance in daily chores. They include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Specific Phobias

• Social Phobia

• Panic Disorder

• Separation Anxiety

   

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD)

In this disorder, people experience irrational, unwanted thoughts, images, and impulses repeatedly, which create distress. To reduce anxiety, they carry out certain behaviours repeatedly

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is characterized by long-term, persistent feelings of anxiety and fear following a traumatic event. It can be caused by experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as injury, sexual violence, life-threatening situations, or death.

 

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders affect emotional states, causing extreme mood swings. Common mood disorders include:

• Depression

• Bipolar Disorder

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

 

Depression

Depression is a very common condition marked by feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It affects thinking, memory, mood, eating, and sleeping patterns. Forms of depression include:

• Postpartum Depression

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

 

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and behaviour, disrupting daily life. It includes:

• Hypomanic Episodes

• Manic Episodes

• Depressive Episodes

 

Dissociative Disorders

People with dissociative disorders disconnect from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity and struggle to handle intense emotions. This includes:

• Dissociative Amnesia

• Depersonalization Disorder

• Dissociative Identity Disorder

   

Neurodevelopmental Disorders or Behavioural and Emotional Disorders

These conditions start in infancy or childhood before school age and create challenging behaviours in children. They include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Learning Disorders

• Conduct Disorder

   

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can be experienced in any age and it’s not gender specific. Causes include body dissatisfaction, dieting, weight fluctuations, and depression. Examples of eating disorders include:

• Anorexia Nervosa

• Binge Eating Disorder

   

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders involve long-term, disruptive patterns of thinking, behaviour, mood, and relationships with others. Types of personality disorders include:

• Paranoid Personality Disorder

• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

• Avoidant Personality Disorder

• Dependent Personality Disorder

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)

   

Understanding these common mental health disorders can help in recognizing the signs and seeking appropriate treatment.

 

Conclusion

Instead of taking mental health as a social stigma, promoting education and increasing awareness about mental health illnesses can remarkably improve the quality of life for affected individuals. In this blog, we have explored how to recognize mental illnesses and their classifications. This knowledge helps us identify and address these issues at an early stage, allowing us to seek support and proper care.

While taking care of our overall health, we should also consider the rising costs of healthcare. To ensure proper care and early detection, good financial planning is essential. Health insurance plays a crucial role in providing safety and security during difficult times, allowing access to quality healthcare without financial worry. It supports us in emergencies and helps maintain our overall health.

 

Disclaimer

This blog is for general informational purposes only. Please seek the advice of a healthcare professional for further assistance or support with any kind of illness. For health insurance, kindly contact insurance providers or advisors based on your individual needs. Please read the policy carefully and choose one that best suits your requirements.