Understanding mental health isn’t as simple as you think. Having a mental health disorder is like suffering in the shadows. You really are hurting from the inside but nobody sees it on the outside and because of that, getting the help you need becomes difficult.
The thing is you cannot understand mental health without knowing the common mental health disorders. These two things go hand in hand. So, in this article today, I’m going to share with you three common psychological disorders, what they look like, and how they can be treated. Have a look:
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder and it stands tall among the most prevalent mental health disorders. As per the World Health Organization report, more than 264 million people in the world have depression. It affects everyone, regardless of age and gender.
Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent sadness and low mood
- Hopelessness and pessimism
- Loss of appetite or binge eating
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Consistent body aches and muscle tension
- Suicidal thoughts or possible attempts
Treatment Options for Major Depressive Disorder
- Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications
- Allopathic and organic sleep-inducing agents
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Regular exercise, meditation, or yoga
- Herbs and plants, including valerian root and pine tar kush
Bipolar Disorder
The next one on my list is bipolar disorder. It lies in the middle of mood and psychotic disorders because of the mixed symptoms it brings along. What makes it different from other mental health disorders is that it manifests in episodes. There are three episodes of bipolar disorder, mania, hypomania, and major depressive episodes.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
- Constant agitation and restlessness
- Impulsive acts and confidence
- Changes in sleep and appetite
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Recurring muscle tension and body aches
- Racing thoughts and distractibility
- Preoccupation with suicidal thoughts or death
Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder
- Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers
- Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Electroconvulsive shock treatment (EST)
- Regular exercise as well as a healthy diet and sleep cycle
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder, also known as GAD, is another common mental health disorder. It usually takes a lot of time to officially diagnose GAD. Not to forget, it’s the hardest one to diagnose as many people confuse it with the common triggers. They just start avoiding those things that trigger it and not treating the symptoms.
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Persistent restlessness and feelings of irritability
- Difficulty controlling the feelings of worry
- Having muscle tension and body aches
- Recurring digestive issues
- Trembling, shaking, or sweating
- Sleep and appetite disturbance
Treatment Options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- Allopathic and organic sleep-inducing agents
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Muscle-relaxing exercises and meditation
The Takeaway
Having mental health awareness is one thing but knowing and understanding all these details is a whole nother story. In order to stay on the safer side of the fence, you need to know and understand common mental health conditions. Keep reading about them and in case of any symptoms, please make sure to consult a psychiatrist right away. I wish you good luck!
