Types of Mental Illness

Causes of Mental Health Disorders

Mental illnesses should not be mistaken as a sign of weakness or personal failure. A complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors can cause them. Key factors that cause mental illnesses are —

• Biological factors:

These include genetics, brain chemistry, and hormone imbalances that play a significant role in mental health issues.

• Psychological factors:

These include negative childhood experiences, trauma, and stressful situations that can increase the risk of mental illness.

• Social factors:

These include poverty, isolation, and discrimination that can significantly impact mental well-being.

Types of Mental Illnesses

Mental illnesses can be of many types, and each of them can dangerously impact the mood, thinking, and behaviour of the person. Some common types of mental illnesses are:

• Mood Disorders:

These conditions affect people's emotions and can significantly impact their daily lives. Some common mood disorders include —

◦ Depression:
Persistent sadness, loss of interest, and sleep or appetite changes

◦ Bipolar Disorder:
Extreme mood swings from mania (high mood and energy) to depression

• Anxiety Disorders:

These conditions involve intense worry, fear, and physical symptoms (e.g., rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and muscle tension). Common anxiety disorders include —

◦ Generalised Anxiety Disorder:
Constant and excessive worry about a variety of things

◦ Panic Disorder:
Abrupt, intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms that reach a peak quickly

◦ Social Anxiety Disorder:
Extreme fear of social interactions and being judged by others

• Psychotic Disorders:

It is a condition where individuals lose touch with reality, experiencing hallucinations (sensory perceptions that aren't real) and delusions (firmly held, false beliefs). Schizophrenia is a common psychotic disorder.

• Eating Disorders:

It is characterised by unhealthy eating patterns and a distorted body image. Common examples include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

It is characterised by persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

It is a condition that can occur after someone has been through or seen something traumatic. Signs of PTSD may involve reliving the event through flashbacks or other symptoms, including nightmares and avoidance of reminders of the trauma.