6 Types of Mental Illness that Need Your Attention

“It’s okay not to be okay”-  as Michael Clifford said, it is ok to be upset, depressed, anxious, and paranoid in the journey called ‘life’. Not all can be sunshine and rainbows or just black and white. Clouds, rains and greys do exist.  

If you are hooked to OTT platforms, and since Korean Dramas are the rage nowadays, watch a series with the name: “It's Okay Not to be Okay”. It has been considered binge-worthy as it beautifully covers the aspects of mental health and mental disorders with a backdrop of a unique love story. Both the leads suffer from mental health issues but bond together while healing each other. But sadly life is no drama series; it constantly needs realty check! 

It is important to be aware of the concept of mental health, and the various types of mental disorders for you to know when it's time to reach out for help. Self-love starts with self-awareness. Understanding these concepts will give you more courage to realise, talk and come out of it without shame. The social stigma attached to this area is solely responsible for the silent sufferings of millions. This article speaks of mental illness, types of mental illness and why is mental health so much important Without further ado, read on to find more.

Mental Health and Mental Illness: What is the Difference? 

It is a very subtle difference but an important one. Mental health can be explained as a state of mind where you can realise your capabilities, deal with everyday stresses and tensions in life, work to your full potential and contribute to your community productively. A mentally healthy person will be empathetic, flexible, optimistic, confident, stable in relationships, respectful and a clear thinker.

Mental illness can be called a disease of the brain that affects the way you think feel, behave and interact with others.  Types of mental health disorders include psychosocial disabilities, significant distress, risk of self-harm and harm to others, and disruption in normal functioning at home, school or office. It is not just a moment but exists in a continuum and varies in degree from person to person.

Types of Mental Disorders

Out of the exhaustive list of mental disorders, which may be even more than 200, here is a list of mental illnesses which are most commonly seen: 

Mood Disorders:

These affective disorders top the mental disorders list. This affects the way you feel and behave with others and may have physical symptoms too. The most common ones are : 

• Depression: If you are depressed, you might feel lost, sad, guilty, disappointed, low in confidence, irritable and even restless. Persistent negative thoughts for a long time may lead to social withdrawal, being less active and less productive at work, and alcohol abuse. Physical repercussions are also quite prominent like changes in the sleep cycle, in appetite, feeling sick for no apparent reason, headaches and sometimes odd pain in the muscle. The main approaches to treat depression include medicines like antidepressants, psychological methods like ‘talk therapies’ and lifestyle improvements like exercise, meditation and discipline. 
• Bipolar Disorder: In general terms, it is called ‘mood swings’. But it is not as simple as that. It is a chronic disorder of mental health where you experience episodes of depression alternating with episodes of hyperactivity. These extreme feelings may last for some time but affect work and family adversely. The frequency and the types differ from person to person. The causes may be genetics or any life-altering traumatic incident  and sometimes chemical imbalances in the brain. Here too, antidepressants with long-term mood stabilisers work best. 

Anxiety Disorders:

On one hand anxiety or nervousness can push you to excel in work or life. But when extreme, it may affect your ability to feel, think or act normally. This mental disorder is not dealt with enough seriousness. But the anxiety and worry can increase until you can no longer function normally in work, school or social life. The various types are : 

• GAD or Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Persistent fear and worry about everyday issues like health, finances, children, work etc.
• Social Anxiety Disorder: This is a case of avoidance of socialising for fear of rejection or ridicule. 
• Panic Disorder: Frequent episodes of panic attacks characterised by breathlessness, high heart rate and nausea. It lasts for a short span but you may keep having them if you cannot avoid the triggers.
• Phobias: It can be fear associated with a particular situation or a particular thing. E.g. fear of animals, places, people, reptiles etc.
• OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Unnecessary impulses and senseless thoughts can cause anxiety or obsession which leads to repetitive actions which becomes a compulsion to cope with anxiety.
• PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: This happens when a traumatic event abuse or an accident haunts your memories and dreams with flashbacks or reminders. It not only disrupts your sleep but also makes you feel unsafe by reliving the past. 

The treatment of anxiety disorders is in similar lines with other mental illness disorders and can be treated with medicines, physical activities and psychological therapies.

Personality Disorders:

The unique traits that make you think and behave distinctly may sometimes cause distress. These disorders alter your behaviour so much that it becomes hard to keep a job, be flexible or be involved in a normal relationship. Some variants are : 

• Paranoid Personality Disorder: This disorder makes you suspicious and stops you from trusting others.
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder: If you suffer from this, you may have problems having intimate relationships due to strange beliefs.
• Antisocial Personality Disorder: No remorse or guilt is felt with this illness. This can cause violent and illegal behaviour as it increases aggression and negative attitudes towards social order.
• Avoidant Personality Disorder: This mental disorder alienates sufferers socially by making them extremely sensitive to criticism and judgements.

The causes are mainly due to childhood abuse, neglect or trauma. The only effective treatment is Psychotherapy to make positive changes in behaviour and emotions.

Psychotic Disorders Or Schizophrenia:

It is a mental disorder that affects the way you perceive your surroundings and react to them. It may start with a feeling of surprise as you may find the world around you different and unknown. In severe cases, you may be miles away from reality, become delusional, and hallucinate. After an episode, the feeling of numbness, restlessness, and lack of motivation to work may continue. It is experienced in varying degrees in different people. It is one of the toughest to treat among all mental illnesses and disorders. But is curable if diagnosed right and timely professional help is taken for medication with antipsychotic drugs and regular counselling sessions to prevent relapses.

Eating Disorders:

You may be suffering from eating disorders, if you are too concerned about your body weight, and appearance, feel anxious around food or when you eat, forcibly try to lose weight with laxatives and vomiting.

• Binge Eating Disorder: Most common in the mental health disorders list binging happens when you eat even when you are not hungry. You might feel guilty after a binge and force yourself to a diet or fast to undo the effect. 
• Bulimia Nervosa: This is when you give in to frequent and secret eating binges and later vomit out or take diet pills. It was a well-known practice amongst fashion models and celebrities.  
• Anorexia Nervosa: Anorexic patients always feel fat and hence remain underweight. Their perception of their body shape becomes distorted as the brain remains undernourished.

There are no specific medications known. But one should bring this to the notice of a medical practitioner. Counselling and support groups really can make a difference.

Disorders related to Substance Abuse:

Any unlawful usage of drugs, be it illicit drugs or any over-the-counter or prescription medicines can be called substance abuse. Using crystal meth, heroin, LSD, cocaine, Marijuana or ecstasy is not only detrimental to health but is also a punishable offence. Once you have a drug tolerance, the dosage needs to be increased to have the same effect. Drug dependency causes withdrawal symptoms which involve physical pains, severe mood changes, exhaustion and difficulty in sleep. This can happen with prescribed medicines as well if taken for too long. Drug addiction can be characterised by social withdrawal, relationship problems at work or school, financial problems, and reckless behaviour. Treatment programmes and rehabilitation are the only way out of this mental disorder.

Wrapping Up 

The mental disorder list may continue to be long and tiring, but the fact remains that these are integral parts of your family and community lives. From depression to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder to bulimia, all mental illnesses and disorders have one thing in common. They all need a helping hand, a supporting caregiver and an understanding doctor. If you have anyone, be it friends or family or even a stranger, showing the slightest signs of mental health issues, please do not wait to consult an experienced psychiatrist or seek help from any known support group. 

It is important to keep a check on your mental health. Along with the lifestyle changes and regular mental activities, you can consider knowing your health insurance coverage for mental illness. You should confirm if your insurer provide coverage for the same, as IRDAI in its recent announcements has directed insurance companies to cover metal illness as well. Under some of Care Health Insurance plans, we cover mental issues such as anxiety under Care Freedom plan and offer 4 physical consultations from psychiatrist under Care OPD coverage in Care Supreme plan. For policy terms and conditions you may connect with our experts. 

>> Also Read: Understanding Modern Treatments for Mental Illness

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.