Most Common Mental Disorders: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The importance of mental health has been growing recently. It is a condition that has the potential to affect even physical health. Mental health issues, therefore, need to be dealt with caution and neglecting such conditions can have drastic results. For this, it can be beneficial to know about mental disorders and their symptoms. 

Do you wish to know more about common mental disorders? This article will give you a complete overview.

Knowing about the symptoms and effects of some of the common mental health problems can help you identify them and seek treatment. Here is a list of such disorders, with their symptoms and care plan.

Mood shifts and swings seem like harmless problems once in a while. However, these can escalate to something serious when it goes out of control. It can lead to them feeling sad, anxious and empty due to the rapid changes in mood and behaviour. Here are a few common mood disorders.

1. Depression

It is a common mood disorder which causes feelings of sadness and loss of interest. You are likely to feel withdrawn, and the symptoms might prevent you from commencing your daily duties. It affects the behaviour and emotional conditions of an individual. 

Cause – There is no specific reason behind the causes of this condition. It can be hereditary or from any past incident. A recent life transition can also cause it. 

Symptoms – Personality change, memory difficulties, exhaustion, suicidal feelings, withdrawal from social life, loss of appetite, etc. 

Care and Treatment – The care and treatment procedure should be of maximum priority for this condition. Psychotherapy is a standard treatment. In addition, psychologists often use talk therapies, which can help remove negative thoughts and feelings. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are two popular treatment methods. 

Medication – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants, Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), etc.

2. Dysthymia

Also known as Persistent depressive disorder, it is a form of chronic depression. Like depression, it causes individuals to lose interest in regular activities, causing low self-esteem and intense feelings of sadness and loss. 

Cause – Again, there are no specific causes for this condition. It can be because of genetics, exceptional brain chemistry, a recent loss, a traumatic incident, financial distress, etc. 

Symptoms – Sadness, emptiness, low self-esteem, lack of energy, excessive anger, avoidance of physical and social activities, poor appetite, sleeping problems, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Psychotherapy or talk therapy is commonly used as a treatment method. It is an excellent way of diagnosing mood shifts and other issues. Friends and family members can also care for patients by keeping them happy with diverting activities. 

Medication – Antidepressants like Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), etc.

3. Bipolar Disorder

There can be three types of bipolar disorders, bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymic bipolar disorder. In the first type, patients suffer from at least one manic episode, which lasts for a week. In the second type, people experience milder mania and hypomania, which can last longer. Finally, in the third type, they experience hypomania with brief episodes of depression. 

Cause – Clinical researchers believe that chemical imbalances in the brain can cause this condition. Noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine are some of the chemicals which can be responsible for this condition. 

Symptoms – Manic episodes include elevated or irritable mood, mood and emotion shifts, extreme talkativeness and energy, and delusions. Depression episodes include fatigue, loss of appetite, hopelessness, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Psychotherapy is a commonly used treatment for this condition. Other therapies include Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) and Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Apart from that, yoga, exercise, and meditation can be beneficial. 

Medication – Lithonate, Eskalith, Depakene, Tegretol, Lamictal, etc. 

These common psychological disorders can challenge an individual's sense of reality. As a result, individuals often react and behave in ways that can harm others due to these disorders. Here are the common psychotic disorders.

1. Schizophrenia

In this condition, individuals interpret reality differently and incorrectly. This condition is mostly chronic and requires lifetime care and treatment. In addition, patients experience specific unusual delusions, which cause them to behave weirdly. 

Cause – Clinical researchers are unclear about the cause. However, they believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment can cause this disorder. 

Symptoms – Delusions, hallucinations, abnormal behaviour, withdrawal from the surroundings, drop in performance, irritable mood, difficulty sleeping, lack of motivation, depression symptoms, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Psychosocial interventions can be used here. These include psychotherapy, classes for social skills, vocational rehabilitation and family therapy. Family members and friends should also show support and care at home. 

Medication – Antipsychotics like chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Perphenazine, Abilify, Saphris, Clozaril, Versacloz, Zyprexa, Seroquel, etc.

2. Schizoaffective Disorder

This disorder includes a combination of multiple schizophrenia symptoms. Additionally, there are two types of this disorder. The bipolar type comes with mania and depression episodes, while the depressive type only includes depression symptoms and episodes. 

Cause – Genetics and heredity are considered some common causes of this condition. However, research is still being conducted to investigate its actual cause. 

Symptoms – Hallucinations, delusion, impairment of communication and speech, unusual behaviour, depression symptoms, manic episodes, drop in academic and professional performance, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Psychotherapy is combined with medicines and life skills training. Hospitalisation and long-term treatment are preferred. 

Medication – Antipsychotic drugs like Paliperidone (Invega), Haloperidol, Risperidone, Olanzapine, And Antidepressants Sertraline, Fluoxetine, etc.

3. Delusional Disorder

As the name suggests, this condition is filled with delusions and hallucinations. Individuals fail to differentiate between their thoughts and reality. The three types of this disorder include persecutory, jealous and grandiose types. 

Cause – Abnormalities in some regions of the brain can cause this condition, besides genetics. Moreover, specific triggers in the surrounding environment can also cause this condition. 

Symptoms – Feelings and fears of exploitation, holding grudges, response to perceived slights, irritable or angry mood, hallucinations, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Medication and psychotherapy are commonly used. The only way to help a patient realise the difference between reality and hallucinations is to use effective talk therapy and counselling. 

Medication – Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Haloperidol, Thiothixene, Thioridazine, Trifluoperazine, Clozapine, Quetiapine, etc.

4. Substance-induced Psychotic Disorder

Addiction and long-term consumption of illegal substances can cause psychotic disorders like this. These disorders might also attack when individuals try to quit alcohol or substance consumption. Psychotic episodes and delusions are common issues. 

Cause – Misuse and heavy consumption of illegal substances and alcohol is the leading cause of this disorder. Additionally, brain injuries, genetics, dementia and long-term consumption of prescription drugs can also result in this condition. 

Symptoms – Delusions, hallucinations, difficulty in daily duties, difficulty communicating, paranoia and suspicion, lack of emotional responses, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Psychotherapy is used to identify the symptoms and triggers behind the issue. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and rehabilitation programs are also beneficial in helping people get rid of addiction and such disorders. 

Medication – Benzodiazepines, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and common Antipsychotics

When listing common psychiatric disorders, one should consider anxiety disorders. These disorders can cause fear, paranoia and distress among patients. In addition, several triggers can enhance their effects. Here are a few such disorders.

1. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

This chronic anxiety disorder causes symptoms like panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, it affects the day-to-day activities of individuals, inducing chances of anxiety attacks from the triggers. 

Cause – Unique brain chemistry might cause such a condition. Moreover, genetics is another primary reason behind this issue. 

Symptoms – Persistent anxiety, overthinking, worries about uncertainty, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, trouble sleeping, nausea, etc.

Care and Treatment – A combination of psychotherapy and medication is used to treat this condition. Psychologists must talk to patients and help them deal with their symptoms. Moreover, patients must bring changes to their lifestyles to handle this disorder. 

Medication – Benzodiazepineandantidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI).

2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

This disorder causes a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears, resulting in obsession towards repetitive activities. For example, people might be scared of germs and contamination, which urges them to wash their hands and keep their surroundings clean constantly. They might try to get rid of the obsession, but it keeps returning.

Cause – Genetics can be a common reason causing OCD. Moreover, it might be a reason for the certain chemical functioning of the brain. 

Symptoms – Fear of contamination, dirt phobia, obsession for perfection, aggressive thoughts, out-of-control behaviour, intense stress and fear, shivering and nausea, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Doctors mostly use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) are standard treatment therapies used for patients. The patient can divert their minds at home by engaging in activities outside the home. 

Medication – Fluoxetine, Clomipramine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, etc. 

3. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This type of mental disorder develops from a trigger, usually a traumatic and terrifying past incident. Individuals experience flashbacks and nightmares from such incidents, which cause deep trauma and anxiety. This condition can be treated with proper care and medical assistance and will not be a chronic and long-term condition. 

Cause – Stressful incidents and experiences are the leading causes. Additionally, inherited mental health issues and chemical imbalances in the brain can also be responsible for the same. 

Symptoms – Recurrent flashes of distressing memories, upsetting dreams and nightmares, emotional distress and breakdown, negative thoughts and hopelessness, memory problems, withdrawn and numb behaviour, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is commonly used for treating PTSD. Processing therapy helps to highlight negative emotions like shame and guilt in patients. Prolonged Exposure Therapy can also be used to get better access to the fear and distress in their minds. 

Medication – Antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs.

4. Social Anxiety Disorder

This disorder results in causing anxiety and fear in social situations. Individuals feel conscious and embarrassed when entering a room full of people or interacting with strangers. These incidents cause them severe stress and affect their daily activities and relationships. While it is usually a chronic mental health condition, one can adequately treat it. 

Cause – An unusual brain structure and chemical development can cause this issue. It can also develop if an individual grows up in a constricted and rigid environment. 

Symptoms – Fear of social situations, avoidance of communication with others, an expectation of the worst scenario, fast heartbeat, sweating, nausea, dizziness, muscle tension, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective in this case for handling anxiety and panic disturbances. Exposure-based CBT helps to identify the triggering factors and eliminate them from a patient’s mind. 

Medication – Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), Sertraline, Paroxetine, Benzodiazepines, etc.

These disorders again come under common mental illnesses, causing unhealthy eating habits among individuals. It comes from emotional and mental health issues, which result in an obsession with weight and body shape. Individuals try to avoid eating, which develops into severe physical health issues.

1. Anorexia Nervosa

This is a common eating disorder where individuals restrict the number of calories and food types. While they start by avoiding gaining fat and extra weight, they end up losing excessive weight. As a result, they fail to maintain a healthy weight considering their body stature, height, age, etc.

Cause – There is no specific reason. However, trauma or negative experiences regarding body weight and shape can cause this condition. Peer pressure and a negative environment can also contribute to it. 

Symptoms – Fear of gaining weight, obsessive interest in dieting, self-critical nature, depressed and irritable mood, changes in eating habits, loss of appetite, significant weight loss, dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure, etc. 

Care and Treatment – The treatment methods include Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), family-based therapy, etc. Nutrition counselling is also a good technique. 

Medication – Antipsychotic drugs like Olanzapine.

2. Bulimia Nervosa

This is another eating disorder. In contrast to anorexia, this condition causes individuals to quickly consume a large amount of food. This can lead to purging, which encourages individuals to indulge in excessive exercises and physical activities, forced vomiting or taking laxatives. They do this to adjust the calories and fat gained from binge eating. 

Cause – Apart from genetics and brain chemicals, the psychosocial and emotional health of the individuals can also cause this condition. Depressing and traumatic events can cause them to binge eat. 

Symptoms – Binge eating, purging, feeling a lack of control over food cravings, fear of weight gain, self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, excessive exercising, a consciousness of eating in front of others, withdrawal from social activities, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Doctors focus on food and nutrition education besides mental health treatment. Dieticians can help patients learn healthy eating habits while forming nutritious meal plans. Apart from that, they can also use family-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and interpersonal psychotherapy.

Medication – Antidepressants like Fluoxetine and Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

3. Binge Eating Disorder

As the name suggests, this disorder causes individuals to consider binge eating. It is a severe issue, as it can lead to health conditions like high cholesterol levels, diabetes and obesity. Individuals eat a large amount of food whenever they are sad and distressed, even if they are not hungry. 

Cause – Changes in the brain and environment can cause this issue. Emotional trauma and other mental health conditions can also be the reasons behind such a condition. 

Symptoms – Eating more rapidly during binge episodes, binge eating, eating without feeling hungry, eating alone, feelings of guilt or shame, etc. 

Care and Treatment – Some standard treatment measures include interpersonal psychotherapy, CBT, dialectical behaviour therapy, weight loss therapy, etc. Therapists try to identify the reasons behind the patient's eating habits and address these. As a result, they get to learn healthier eating habits. 

Medication – Topiramate, Lisdexamfetamine, Placebo, etc.

If you are making a list of the most common mental illnesses, do not forget dementia. This condition leads to a loss of cognitive abilities among the patients. It is a severe mental health issue, as it can destroy memory and thinking skills among patients. Here are some types of dementia.

1. Frontotemporal Dementia

This disorder refers to various brain disorders that negatively affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This causes a shrink in portions of the lobe. An individual can become emotionally indifferent and impulsive because of this condition. It is more common at a younger age than most other forms of dementia. 

Cause – This occurs because of an accumulation of certain substances in the brain. Genetics can also be a common cause. 

Symptoms – Inappropriate social behaviour, lack of interest, lack of judgement, a decline in personal hygiene, memory loss, difficulty communicating, muscle weakness, etc. 

Care and Treatment – N There is no specific treatment procedure. However, speech therapy might be beneficial to help patients who face difficulty communicating. 

Medication – Citalopram, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, etc.

2. Huntington’s Disease

This is a rare disorder causing a progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It affects their thinking and functional abilities. It usually affects people in their 30s and 40s. Treatment is mandatory for physical, mental and behavioural decline caused by this condition. 

Cause – It is usually an inherited disease, genetics being one of the primary reasons behind this disorder. 

Symptoms – Muscle problems, trouble in mobility, speech problems, lack of flexibility and impulse control, sadness and irritability, fatigue, insomnia, etc.

Care and Treatment – Neuropsychological testing, brain imaging tests, and predictive genetic tests are used to diagnose this condition. Psychotherapy is the best fit for its treatment. Apart from that, physical therapy and speech therapy can also be used here. 

Medication – Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Divalproex, etc. 

Hopefully, now you know all about common mental disorders. As this article pointed out, there can be various types of disorders, as psychology is complicated. Some of these disorders might have subtle and mild symptoms. However, it is essential to identify these symptoms and seek professional assistance.