Mental Health Resource Center
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Mental Illness is More Than Just Depression

Mental illness or mental health disorders refers to a range of mental and behavioral health disorders. These conditions affect a person’s mood, thinking, and behavior. Examples of mental and behavioral health disorders include depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. 

Many people have moments of depression or anxiety. But most of the time there isn’t a reason for concern. If the signs and symptoms of mental illness continue, there could be a reason for concern. 

Mental and behavioral health disorders can cause issues in daily life. They can interfere with work, school, and relationships. But in most cases, the symptoms of mental illness can be managed with psychotherapy and medication. 

Common Signs and Symptoms of Mental and Behavioral Disorders

The signs and symptoms of mental illness vary depending on a few factors. The factors include the type of disorder, circumstances for the disorder, and other genetic and environmental factors.

Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Mood swings – extreme highs and lows
  • No interest in friends or activities
  • Sleep issues
  • Tiredness
  • Paranoia or hallucinations
  • Can’t cope with stress
  • Using drugs or alcohol 
  • Changes in eating
  • Change in sex drive
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Symptoms of mental illness can also appear as physical problems. These problems can include body aches and pains, stomach pain, and headaches.

Causes of Mental and Behavioral Health Disorders

Genetic and environmental factors cause mental and behavioral health disorders. The factors include:

Inherited traits

A person with blood relatives who have a mental illness is more likely also to have a mental illness. Specific genes can also increase the risk of mental illness. 

Environmental exposure

When a person is around specific environmental stressors in the womb can be at an increased risk of mental illness. These stressors include drugs and alcohol, toxins, and inflammatory conditions.

Brain chemistry

Neurotransmitters are natural brain chemicals. They carry signals to all parts of the body. When something changes the chemical, the nerve receptors change. This change can lead to a variety of mental and behavioral health disorders.

Risk Factors that Lead to Mental Illness

There are a variety of factors that can increase the risk of mental and behavioral health disorders, including:

  • Family history of mental illness
  • Stressful life issues – divorce, financial problems, or death
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Traumatic event – military combat, violent assault, physical and sexual assault
  • Use of drugs or alcohol
  • Very few healthy relationships

One in five Americans suffers a mental illness. Some cases of mental illness appear in childhood. But mental illness can start at any age. 

Types of Mental and Behavioral Health Disorders

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) lists almost 300 different disorders. DSM-5 helps mental health professionals in diagnosing mental and behavioral health disorders. The following are common disorders affecting people in the United States.

Mood Disorders

Many people feel sad or are in a lousy mood occasionally. But mood disorders are different. They affect a person’s emotional state daily. Almost one in ten adults over 18 have a mood disorder. 

Mood disorders can increase a person’s risk of suicide, heart disease, and diabetes. But with treatment, most people can lead happy and productive lives. Treatment can include psychotherapy, medication, or both.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) or major depression is a persistent feeling of sadness. A person with MDD loses interest in friends, family, and fun activities. Those with MDD experience constant negative emotions. Major depression is a common mental disorder; a lot is known about treating it. A combination of therapy and medication helps treat MDD.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression affected by the changes in seasons. Most often, SAD begins in the fall and continues through the winter. People with SAD feel moody and suffer from low energy. Less commonly, SAD starts in the spring and ends in the summer. Treatment for SAD can include light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, causes extreme mood swings. The mood swings can include extreme lows (depression) and extreme highs (mania). People can feel hopeless and lose interest in fun activities, or they feel euphoric and full of energy.

Mood swings may happen a few times a year or less. Most people may have some emotional symptoms between episodes. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, but therapy and medication can manage mood swings and psychological symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders often involve sudden feelings of
panic and fear that can last for minutes.

Anxiety disorders interfere with daily activities, are hard to control, and are more intense than the situation. Anxiety can cause a person to avoid situations or places out of fear of another anxiety attack. Treatment can be challenging. The worry and fear can make it hard to develop trust. But with medication and psychotherapy, a person can live a “normal” life. 

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder can develop in childhood and interferes with daily life. Signs can include excessive and constant worry and avoidant behavior. Making lifestyle changes, learning relaxation techniques, therapy, and medication are treatments that can help with a generalized anxiety disorder.

Panic Disorders

A panic attack is an episode of intense fear that happens suddenly. These attacks can trigger severe physical reactions sometimes for no reason. People may feel like they are having a heart attack or even dying. Psychotherapy and medication can help manage the symptoms of panic disorder.

Phobia-Related Disorders

Phobia-related disorders are an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of objects or situations. These objects and situations are not dangerous but cause anxiety and avoidance. The symptoms of these disorders are long-lasting, cause physical and psychological reactions. The symptoms can affect a person’s ability to function at school and work or in social environments. 

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are mental disorders involving
unhealthy and rigid thoughts and behaviors.

Those with personality disorders do not view or relate to people or situations in a healthy manner. In most cases, a person doesn’t realize they have a personality disorder. Their thoughts and actions are rational to them and can get mad if told differently.

Personality disorder types are part of three clusters. Each cluster has similar characteristics and symptoms. Many people can also have symptoms of multiple personality disorders. And, a person doesn’t need to have all the signs of being diagnosed.

Cluster A Personality Disorders

People with Cluster A personality disorders have odd, eccentric thinking and behaviors. The symptoms and characteristics of typical Cluster A personality disorders are as follows. 

Paranoid Personality Disorder

  • Distrust and suspicion of others and their motives
  • Unrealistic belief others are trying to hurt you
  • Fear of talking to others due to the fear they will use the information against you
  • Views people and situations as dangerous and threatening
  • Hostile reactions to perceived threats
  • Holds grudges
  • Uncalled for suspicion of cheating by a spouse

Schizoid Personality Disorder

  • Withdrawal from friends and social interactions
  • Limited emotional reactions
  • Lack of pleasure in fun activities
  • Inability to notice social cues
  • Appearing cold or indifferent
  • No interest in sexual relationships

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

  • Hearing voices or having odd experiences
  • Unique thinking, beliefs, speech, and behaviors
  • Lacking appropriate emotional responses
  • Social anxiety
  • Unrealistic suspicion of others
  • Believing there are hidden messages in everything meant only for you

Cluster B Personality Disorders

A person with Cluster B personality disorders are dramatic, overly emotional, and have unpredictable thinking or behavior. The symptoms and characteristics of common Cluster B personality disorders are as follows. 

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

  • Superiority complex – believing you are more special than others
  • Fantasize about power and success
  • Exaggerates talents and achievements
  • Expects constant praise
  • Arrogance
  • Takes advantage of others
  • A belief that others are envious of you

Antisocial Personality Disorder

  • Disregard for others’ feelings and needs
  • Constant lying, stealing, and conning others
  • Legal issues
  • Violating others’ personal space and rights
  • Violent behavior
  • Risky behaviors
  • Impulsive
  • Consistent irresponsibility
  • Lack of remorse

Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Risky and impulsive behaviors – binge eating, gambling, speeding, and unsafe sex
  • Unstable self-image
  • Unstable and intense relationships
  • Mood swings
  • Threats of suicide
  • Fear of being alone
  • Feeling empty
  • Intense, angry outbursts
  • Stress-related paranoia

Cluster C Personality Disorders

A person with Cluster C personality disorders is anxious and has fearful thoughts and behaviors. The symptoms and characteristics of common Cluster C personality disorders are as follows. 

Avoidant Personality Disorder

  • Sensitive to rejection and criticism
  • Feeling unattractive, inadequate, and less than others
  • Avoiding activities that require social interactions
  • Isolation
  • Severe shyness
  • Fear of ridicule and embarrassment

Dependent Personality Disorder

  • Needing to be taken care of or extreme dependence
  • Submissive and clingy
  • Fear of being alone
  • Lacks self-confidence, constant need of reassurance
  • Fearing disapproval, afraid to disagree with others
  • Tolerates abusive treatment
  • The need to always be in a relationship

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

  • Obsessed with details, rules, and cleanliness
  • Extreme perfection
  • The need to be in control of people, situations, and tasks
  • Obsession with work causing neglect to friends and family
  • Holds on to broken and worthless items
  • Stubborn and rigid
  • Tight with money and budgeting
  • Isn’t flexible about their beliefs, morals, or values

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders are severe and cause
abnormal thinking and perceptions.

The two main symptoms of psychotic disorders are delusions and hallucinations. Delusions are false beliefs. And hallucinations are hearing, seeing, and feeling things that are not there. Hospitalization may be necessary if a person becomes a danger to themselves or others.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder that causes a person to interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia causes a range of issues with thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts and speech. Schizophrenia is a chronic illness that requires medication and therapy to manage the symptoms.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are issues with eating behaviors that negatively affect a person’s health.

Eating disorders also affect emotions
and the ability to function in daily life.

Most eating disorders cause people to focus on their weight, body shape, and food. Eating disorders lead to dangerous eating habits and inappropriate nutrition. Eating disorders can cause harm to the bones, the digestive system, and the heart. Psychotherapy is beneficial in building healthy eating habits and reversing some of the damage done to the body.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a life-threatening condition characterized by low body weight. People with anorexia fear gaining weight and a distorted view of their weight and shape. The extreme efforts to stay thin include excessive exercising, vomiting after eating, and using laxatives. 

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorders cause people to overeat (binge) and feel out of control with their eating. People may eat more than they intended, even when they are not hungry. Binging can cause feelings of guilt and shame over the amount of food consumed. 

Binge eating disorders are different than other eating disorders because a person doesn’t try to rid their body of the calories. Embarrassment can cause a person to eat alone to hide their binging. 

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is a dangerous eating disorder causing episodes of binging and purging. Many people with bulimia will not eat all-day, which produces more binge eating and purging in the evening. Bulimia causes people to eat a lot in a short amount of time and then rid the body of the food by vomiting.

People with bulimia judge themselves harshly and are preoccupied with their weight and body shape. Because of shame and guilt, they may exercise excessively or use laxatives to rid the body of calories. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder triggered by a traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety. Most people who experience or witness a traumatic event can get passed it with time and self-care. But for others, the symptoms get worse, can last for years, and interfere with daily life. Medication and psychotherapy can help manage the symptoms of PTSD.

Substance Use Disorder

Mental and behavioral health disorders and substance use disorder (SUD) sometimes occur together or be co-occurring. Co-occurrence is because:

A person with mental and behavioral disorders, as well as SUD, must treat both diseases. Treatment may include rehabilitation, medication, support groups, and psychotherapy. 

Treatment for Mental and Behavioral Health
at Sana Lake BWC

evidence based treatment center

Treatments for mental and behavioral health issues
use a combination of therapies and medications. 

Members take a complete mental and physical evaluation to determine therapy options and if they need medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Some people may benefit from an inpatient treatment program, while others benefit from outpatient treatment. Whichever treatment route a person takes, the following therapy options are available.

Individual Therapy

Psychotherapy or individual therapy helps improve a person’s emotional and behavioral health. The goals of individual therapy include:

Psychotherapy can include a variety of behavioral therapies. These therapies include the following.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy, and it helps members become aware of negative thoughts. And people learn to change their negative views while improving their negative behaviors. CBT  can help treat depression, PTSD, and eating disorders. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of CBT. DBT teaches members behavioral skills. The skills learned in DBT help manage stress, emotions, and improve personal relationships.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is an important aspect of all treatment programs. Group therapy helps members in a variety of ways, including:

Support Groups

Members who participate in support groups find peer support beneficial to recovery. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and 12-step groups communicate with like-minded people. 

Holistic Treatment

Holistic and alternative treatments are not mainstream care. But, these treatments are quite beneficial for the treatment of mental and behavioral health disorders. There is a wide variety of holistic therapies, including the following.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment where a trained practitioner inserts thin needles into the skin at specific body points. The needles help the healing process. Acupuncture can be beneficial in treating depression and schizophrenia.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to improve health and wellbeing. Some essential oils help treat mental and emotional health disorders. Essential oils can be inhaled, massaged into the skin, or put in bathwater. Aromatherapy can help treat depression and anxiety.

Massage

A massage therapist uses their hands to massage away tension. Swedish massages use light strokes to relax muscles and relieve stress. In contrast, Shiatsu massage utilizes pressure points to balance a person’s energy.

Mindfulness 

Mindfulness is a type of meditation. It allows individuals to focus on the mind and body in the present moment. When members are aware and mindful of their thoughts and feelings, they can build better-coping skills to support recovery.

Getting Treatment at Sana Lake BWC

There is hope if you or someone you know is suffering from mental and behavioral health issues or addiction. Our trained professionals are waiting to help you on the road to recovery. Contact us today and get started to a better you!

References:

https://medlineplus.gov/mentaldisorders.html

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/

https://medlineplus.gov/psychoticdisorders.html

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders

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