Mental Health Disorder: Definition, Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Mental illness, also known as a mental health disorder, encompasses a range of mental health conditions that influence or alter a person’s thinking, mood, lifestyle, and behavior. These mental health problems significantly impact a person’s daily life, jobs, and relationships.

There are various types of mental disorders characterized by their impact and effects. Some of the most common ones are anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.

The effects and symptoms of these mental health conditions are highly diverse and depend on the type of mental disorder the individual is experiencing. The most common symptoms include sadness or low mood, fear and worry, mood swings, less social interactions, changes in sleep patterns, and hallucinations.

The main causes of mental illnesses can arise from various biological, genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. These factors include stressful life events, genetic mental health conditions, traumatic experiences, medical conditions, and relationship problems.The multiple treatment methods available for mental illness patients include medications, psychotherapy, making crucial lifestyle changes, joining support groups, and hospitalization for more severe cases.

What is Mental Illness?

According to the National Library of Medicine, mental illness or mental disorder is a psychological factor reflected in a persons behavior that can affect a person’s lifestyle. Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these) according to the American Psychiatric Association. Mental illnesses can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.

These disorders are found in people of all regions, countries, and societies and may be associated with brain or nervous system functions.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines mental illness as a syndrome characterized by clinical disturbances and a person’s mood, behavior, and awareness. It also states that mental disorders are normally associated with distress or due to not being able to participate in social, occupational, or other important activities. 

Mental illness has become a common issue among the citizens of the US, especially in the state of New Jersey. As per Mental Health America, in 2022, around 19-20% of American adults were experiencing a mental illness, which is around 50 million US citizens. In New Jersey, the percentage of adults going through mental health problems was 16.37%. In 2021, 12.4% of children ages 3-17 in New Jersey received mental health care in the past year; compared to 11.2% of children in the U.S. Nationally, many children with mental health needs do not receive mental health care.

What are The Types of Mental Illness?

The types of mental illnesses and disorders include anxiety disorders, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorder, disruptive behavior and dissocial disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, paranoid personality disorder, personality disorder, and impulse control and addiction disorders. 

The types of mental illnesses are described below.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorder is the induction of prolonged fear and worry that can disrupt daily activities and make an individual avoid situations that cause stress and trigger anxiety. Traumatic events, brain chemistry, and genetics mainly cause it.

Anxiety also leads to restlessness, constant fatigue, and muscle tension. Anti-anxiety medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are some common treatments for anxiety. 

Depressive Disorder (Depression) 

Depressive disorder, or known as depression,  is a mood-related disorder that causes feelings of sadness, dullness, and a lack of interest in all kinds of activities. Depression is caused by various factors including genetics, psychological thinking, and environment. 

Constant depression can lead to other problems like fatigue, loss of appetite, changing sleep patterns, and irritability. Treatments for depression include taking antidepressants, going through psychotherapy, and incorporating physical exercise into your daily routine. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 21 million US residents went through depressive episodes in 2021. 

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by mood swings, emotional highs and lows, and restlessness. The main causes of bipolar disorder are brain structure abnormalities, environmental factors, and genetics.

Other symptoms of bipolar disorder include episodes of elevated mood, increased energy levels, insomnia, and periods of depression and sadness. Various treatments are available for this disorder like mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medicines, and psychotherapy. 

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental illness distinguished by patterns of varying mood, strange behavior, and self-image. It can be caused by genetics or traumatic life events, particularly during childhood. 

BPD can induce intense fear of being alone, and lead to unstable relationships, self-harm, impulsive behavior, and feelings of emptiness. The common treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder are dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and medications to treat co-occurring symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is a mental illness that is developed by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic or terrifying event. Traumatic or disturbing experiences like fights, accidents, natural disasters, personal assaults, losing loved ones, and relationship problems can cause PTSD. 

Common symptoms of this illness include extreme anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and disturbing thoughts about the traumatic event. PTSD can be treated by going through trauma-focused therapy like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), taking antidepressants, and joining support groups. 

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health problem that impacts a person’s way of thinking, feelings, and behavior. It can be caused due to genetic factors, environmental factors, and changes in brain chemistry. 

This disorder leads to various symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, and lack of energy and motivation. The treatment for schizophrenia involves taking antipsychotic medications and going through psychotherapy and other supportive therapies.

Eating Disorder 

An eating disorder is characterized by unusual eating behaviors, body weight, and shape. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are all types of eating disorders that can be caused by psychological, behavioral, or biological factors. 

Symptoms of eating disorders include binge eating, purging behaviors, and sudden weight gain. For treating eating disorders, consider taking nutritional counseling or going through psychotherapy and medical monitoring. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, around 9% of the US population suffers from eating disorders, which is around 28 million US citizens. 

Disruptive Behavior and Dissocial Disorder 

Disruptive Behavior and Dissocial Disorder is a conduct disorder that is identified by disruptive and antisocial behavior. The causes of dissocial disorder include environmental influences, and having a family history of behavioral disorders.

The long-term effects of this disorder include aggression, irritability, and inability to handle emotions. Dissocial disorder can easily be treated by going through behavioral therapy, family therapy, and taking medications. 

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders impact the nervous system and can cause a person’s brain to function abnormally. Neurodevelopmental disorders are normally caused due to genetic factors or during sensitive brain development. 

Prolonged neurodevelopmental disorders can also lead to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The symptoms include difficulties in social interaction, inattention, and hyperactivity. They can be treated by medications and behavioral interventions. 

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) 

A paranoid personality disorder (PPD) is a lack of trust and being suspicious of others for no solid or legitimate reason. This disorder is mainly caused by early childhood experiences including abuse and trauma. 

The symptoms of PPD include doubting the loyalty of others, believing others are trying to harm you, and extensive distrust. The treatment options available for paranoid personality disorder this disorder are taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and dialectical behavior therapy. 

Personality Disorder

Personality disorder refers to the unusual change in an individual’s behavior, cognition, and overall lifestyle and personality. The causes of personality disorder include childhood trauma, genetic, environmental influence, and physical damage to the brain. 

This disorder has various symptoms like strange thinking patterns, unusual functioning and behavior, difficulties in relating to situations, and not being able to communicate with people. Personality disorders can be treated by long-term group psychotherapy and medications. As per Charlie Health, around 15% of US citizens, or 30.8 million adults suffer from personality disorders. 

Impulse Control and behavioral Addiction Disorders

Impulse control and addiction disorders involve the sudden urge to perform acts that can be harmful to oneself or others. They are mainly caused due to genetics, or other factors like stress and trauma. 

The symptoms of Impulse Control and Behavioral Addiction Disorders include compulsive behavior, difficulty in fighting urges, and excessive consumption of substances. These disorders can be treated by joining addiction treatment programs or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). 

What are The Symptoms of a Mental Illness?

The symptoms of mental illness include sadness or low mood, fear and worry, mood swings, less social interactions, changes in sleep patterns, and hallucinations. 

These symptoms are described below. 

• Sadness or Low Mood: A constant feeling of sadness can occur that leads to a loss of interest in daily activities like work, education, or meeting friends. Depressive sadness can last longer than 2 weeks and up to months and is mainly caused by stressful life events. 
• Fear and Worry: Episodic feelings of excessive fear, anxiety, and occasional panic attacks can occur which are hard to control. These feelings can interfere with daily activities and cause physical symptoms like increased heart rate and sweating. They are usually triggered by specific phobias or stressful situations. 
• Mood Swings: Mood swings refer to sudden and extreme fluctuations in mood that cause abnormal behaviors which can affect a person’s relationships, job performance, and overall quality of life. Stress, sleep deprivation, and sad experiences can trigger mood swings. 
• Less Social Interactions: A major decrease in engaging with friends and family can occur due to prolonged mental illnesses. This can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression that can last for months. Social anxiety or sad events are factors that trigger this symptom. 
• Changes in Sleep Patterns: Alternation of sleeping patterns and insomnia are also major symptoms of any mental disorder. It can affect your physical health, drain energy levels, and irritability. These changes in a person’s sleep cycle can last for multiple days, and they are usually triggered due to stress or trauma. 
• Hallucinations: Hallucinations refer to believing things that are not true and seeing things that are not even present. It can lead to strange behaviors and difficulty in differentiating reality from imagination, which is why hallucinations should be given immediate medical attention. They are normally caused by substances, fever, stress, and fatigue. 

What are the Causes of Mental Illness?

The causes of mental illness include genetics, brain chemistry, psychological factors, excessive use of substances, medical conditions, and life experiences. 

These causes are described below: 

• Genetics: It is the inheritance of physical and mental traits within families and generations. Genetics plays a crucial role in the passing and development of mental health problems as they increase the odds of developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Having a family history of mental illness increases the risk.
• Brain Chemistry: Brain chemistry refers to the functioning of chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between the nerve cells. If the neurotransmitters in the brain ever experience an imbalance, it can cause severe effects on a person’s mood and behavior. The impact of these imbalances is severe as they are linked to conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder.
• Psychological Factors: Internal factors like thought patterns and personality traits are known as psychological factors that cause mental illnesses. Certain coping skills can cause individuals to be vulnerable to mental health issues like borderline personality disorder and depression. The impact can be mild or severe, depending on the person’s reaction. 
• Excessive Use of Substances: Harmful and extensive use of substances like alcohol and drugs can contribute to the development of mental health disorders. It can lead to mental health conditions like addiction, depression, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The impact can be severe and could require long-term treatment. 
• Medical Conditions: Physical illnesses, neurological disorders, and other medical conditions can cause mental illnesses. The worry about the diagnosis and the fear of the treatment for these conditions can induce depression, anxiety, and paranoid personality disorder (PPD). The impact can vary but it can also severely affect a person’s lifestyle and way of thinking.
• Life Experiences: Stress-causing or traumatic life events like the loss of a loved one, divorce, job loss, and financial difficulties can also be major causes of mental disorders. These experiences can lead to stress, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The severity of the impact of these experiences depends on the person’s mental strength. 

What are The Risk Factors for Mental Illness?

The risk factors for mental illness include socioeconomic factors, personality traits, exposure to chronic stress, and poor nutrition.

These risk factors are described below.

• Socioeconomic Factors: Social and economic conditions like work problems and financial stress that can impact a person’s life are major risk factors for mental disorders. They can cause poor living conditions which lead to depression, anxiety, and impulse control disorders. 
• Personality Traits: Specific personality traits like high neuroticism or low resilience can magnify mental health issues. Portraying these traits leaves individuals vulnerable to stress, bipolar disorder, and depression. 
• Exposure to Chronic Stress: Certain life experiences like job issues, relationship problems, and losing a loved one can cause a constant feeling of worry and hopelessness known as chronic stress. High levels of chronic stress have a major impact on mental health disorders and are a risk factor for conditions like anxiety, disruptive behavior, and addiction disorders. 
• Poor Nutrition: Unhealthy eating habits and dietary conditions can significantly impact mental disorders. Combining poor nutrition with a lack of physical exercise can increase the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and lead to decreased cognitive function. 

What are the Treatments for Mental Illnesses?

The treatments for mental illnesses include medications, psychotherapy, brain stimulation treatments, and hospital and residential treatment programs. 

These treatments are described below. 

Medications

Medications and drugs provided by doctors and healthcare providers can help treat mental health conditions. They can balance brain chemicals, reduce symptoms, prevent relapses, and improve the quality of life for people with mental illnesses. 

The types of medications used to treat mental illnesses are listed below.

• Antidepressants: They help treat depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. 
• Stimulants: Stimulants are used for treating ADHD and some types of depression.
• Antipsychotics: Antipsychotics help manage symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy involves interacting with a medical professional to address emotional and psychological issues. It helps individuals to understand their feelings, learn coping mechanisms, and change their behavior. 

The types of psychotherapy used to treat mental illnesses are listed below. 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT It aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors.
• Humanistic Therapy: This therapy helps improve personal growth and self-fulfillment. 
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT focuses on mindfulness and is often used for borderline personality disorder.

Complementary, Alternative Holistic Therapies

Holistic therapies, also known as complementary and alternative therapies, provide a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment by integrating the mind, body, and spirit. These therapies include acupuncture, yoga, meditation, and herbal medicine, aiming to enhance overall health and alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Integrating holistic therapies with conventional treatments offers a more personalized and complete care plan. Holistic therapies emphasize self-awareness, relaxation, and natural healing processes, promoting emotional balance, reducing stress levels, and fostering a sense of inner peace. When combined with traditional medical treatments, holistic therapies offer a well-rounded path to mental wellness, ensuring a holistic and effective approach to mental health care.

Brain-Stimulation Treatments

Brain-stimulation treatments are advanced medical procedures that use electrical or magnetic stimulation to treat mental health conditions. Brain stimulation helps cure severe disorders that other procedures might fail to treat like neurodevelopmental disorder and schizophrenia. 

The types of brain stimulation treatments are listed below.

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): ECT helps to cure severe depression and anxiety. 
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): DBS involves planting electrodes in the brain to treat OCD and depression.
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): TMS is a non-invasive treatment used to cure depression. 

Hospital and mental Health Treatment Programs

Hospital and residential treatment programs are set up by professionals where individuals can receive complete mental health treatment inside medical facilities. These programs provide therapy sessions and a structured environment with 24-hour care. Both short-term and long-term care is provided for all types of illnesses.