Is It Depression Or Sadness? Here Are The Most Common Mental Health Disorders and Symptoms

The number of individuals who are suffering from mental health disorders is multiplying by the day. It could be said that mental health disorders are the sickness of our time. It’s also the cause of many cases of divorce, work relationship failure, violence, and many more unwanted life situations.

When left untreated, a mental health disorder can affect many aspects of your life. Not only will it affect your physical health, but it will change your mind and perspective. It’s, therefore, crucial to be informed about mental illnesses and their symptoms for you to deal with it head-on.

Here follows a list of the most common mental illnesses:

Depression

Depression is the most common mental health disorder and affects millions of people. The mental illness can be triggered by traumatizing life events, a change in prescription medication, or can be passed on genetically.

Depression can occur more than once, and when left untreated, it can be long-lasting. The negative impact of depression on work, family, and close relationships can be severe.

The symptoms of depression include:

-Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
-Abnormal sleeping patterns (too much or too little)
-Loss of appetite
-Exhaustion
-Feeling sad, lonely and empty
-Change in focus and concentration

Depression and anxiety are disorders that can, at first, go unnoticed. It’s vital to be mindful of your mental well-being and that you check-in with yourself to notice whether there are any changes in your own behavior and emotions.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder where the individual has drastic switches in moods and emotions. Fluctuating between extreme feelings of love and happiness to intense feelings of irritability and sadness.

Although the bipolar affective disorder’s cause is still unknown, the symptoms in individuals are apparent and can be treated by a psychiatrist and medication.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

– Extreme changes in sadness and happiness
– Trouble sleeping
– Hopelessness and feelings of low self-esteem
– Hyperactivity

Anxiety

Anxiety goes hand-in-hand with depression, and it’s not uncommon for individuals who suffer from depression to suffer from anxiety too. This crippling condition affects an estimated 18% of the population. Most individuals suffering from anxiety don’t go for treatment and continue to live with anxiety without receiving any help.

Anxiety can be caused because of a shift in brain chemistry, genetically passed on, or extreme changes in lifestyle and environment.

Symptoms of anxiety include:

– Indecisiveness
– Constant worrying without a reason
– Uncontrollable sweating from the palms, forehead, and feet
– Difficulty breathing as if your airways are tightening
-Heart palpitations
-Dizziness or feelings of nausea

Anxiety can leave you feeling hopeless and stressed without any reason. The good news is that once treated; it’s easily curable.

Dementia

Dementia is a chronic mental disorder that affects the brain’s memory, problem-solving skills, language abilities, and causes deterioration in the performance of everyday activities.

Usually, dementia affects older individuals and is, in its nature, progressive. The symptoms start showing at a slow pace and then gradually worsen. Dementia occurs when brain cells are damaged and lose the ability to communicate with the rest of the body. This dramatically affects behavior, feelings, and thinking.

Symptoms of Dementia include:

-Forgetting to do everyday activities like feeding pets, making the bed, and even showering
-Problems with memory and the inability to recognize specific people or things
-Traveling to places and then forgetting your way home
-Losing track of bills, appointments, and belongings

There is no known cure for dementia, and it is horrible to see someone you love suffer from the disorder. By contacting support groups and being informed on ways how to cope with the disease better, you will be able to get through it.

Mental disorders are debilitating and affect people’s usual way of living. The illness of the mind is a reality and should be treated accordingly. We all must be aware of our mental state to recognize any symptoms of mental illness. There are many cures for mental disorders and depression. Anxiety, bipolar, PTSD, and Schizophrenia can be treated by professional practitioners.

If you feel like you may be suffering from any one of the above-mentioned mental health illnesses, it is recommended that you seek professional help from a psychiatrist or therapist. Many people already know that it is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary: turning to expert advice is brave. Taking the next step by confiding in someone or speaking to a therapist is the responsible and wise choice, though it is not easy. Acknowledging the problem is a crucial step in getting your life back on track and getting the treatment, you need to function better – for your own sake, and the sake of your loved ones.