Mental disorders in general

 Here’s an overview of **common mental disorders** and their key characteristics, organized by major categories:


---


### **1. Mood Disorders**  

Characterized by disturbances in mood, ranging from extreme sadness to elevated or irritable states.  

- **Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)**:  

  - Persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities.  

  - Fatigue, changes in sleep/appetite, feelings of worthlessness.  

  - May include suicidal thoughts.  


- **Bipolar Disorder**:  

  - Alternates between **manic episodes** (elevated mood, impulsivity, reduced need for sleep) and **depressive episodes**.  

  - Subtypes: Bipolar I (severe mania), Bipolar II (less severe hypomania).  


---


### **2. Anxiety Disorders**  

Excessive fear, worry, or avoidance that interferes with daily life.  

- **Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)**:  

  - Chronic, uncontrollable worry about everyday situations.  

  - Physical symptoms: restlessness, muscle tension, fatigue.  


- **Panic Disorder**:  

  - Recurrent **panic attacks** (sudden fear, palpitations, sweating, trembling).  

  - Fear of future attacks leads to avoidance behavior.  


- **Social Anxiety Disorder**:  

  - Intense fear of social situations due to fear of embarrassment or judgment.  


- **Phobias**:  

  - Irrational fear of specific objects/situations (e.g., heights, spiders).  


---


### **3. Psychotic Disorders**  

Involve distorted thinking, perceptions, and awareness of reality.  

- **Schizophrenia**:  

  - **Positive symptoms**: Hallucinations (hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs).  

  - **Negative symptoms**: Flat affect, social withdrawal, reduced motivation.  

  - Disorganized speech/behavior.  


- **Schizoaffective Disorder**:  

  - Combines symptoms of schizophrenia and mood disorders (depression or mania).  


---


### **4. Personality Disorders**  

Inflexible, maladaptive patterns of behavior and thinking.  

- **Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)**:  

  - Unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions.  

  - Impulsivity, fear of abandonment, self-harm.  


- **Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)**:  

  - Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy.  


- **Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)**:  

  - Disregard for others’ rights, deceitfulness, lack of remorse.  


---


### **5. Trauma-Related Disorders**  

Linked to exposure to traumatic events.  

- **Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)**:  

  - Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance.  

  - Avoidance of trauma reminders, emotional numbness.  


---


### **6. Eating Disorders**  

Unhealthy relationships with food, body weight, or body image.  

- **Anorexia Nervosa**:  

  - Restricted food intake, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image.  


- **Bulimia Nervosa**:  

  - Binge-eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise).  


- **Binge-Eating Disorder**:  

  - Recurrent episodes of overeating without compensatory behaviors.  


---


### **7. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders**  

- **Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)**:  

  - **Obsessions** (intrusive thoughts, e.g., fear of contamination).  

  - **Compulsions** (repetitive behaviors, e.g., excessive handwashing).  


- **Hoarding Disorder**:  

  - Difficulty discarding possessions, extreme clutter.  


---


### **8. Neurodevelopmental Disorders**  

Typically emerge in childhood.  

- **Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)**:  

  - Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity.  


- **Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)**:  

  - Challenges with social communication, restricted/repetitive behaviors.  


---


### **9. Dissociative Disorders**  

Disruption in consciousness, memory, or identity.  

- **Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)**:  

  - Presence of two or more distinct personality states.  

  - Memory gaps for everyday events.  


---


### **10. Somatic Symptom Disorders**  

Focus on physical symptoms with no clear medical cause.  

- **Illness Anxiety Disorder**:  

  - Preoccupation with having a serious illness despite medical reassurance.  


---


### **11. Substance-Related Disorders**  

Addiction to drugs, alcohol, or other substances.  

- **Substance Use Disorder**:  

  - Impaired control over use, cravings, withdrawal symptoms.  


---


### **Key Notes**:  

- **Comorbidity**: Many disorders overlap (e.g., depression and anxiety).  

- **Diagnosis**: Requires evaluation by a mental health professional (e.g., psychologist, psychiatrist).  

- **Treatment**: Often combines therapy (CBT, DBT, etc.), medication, and lifestyle changes.  


If you or someone you know is struggling, seek help from a licensed professional. Mental health conditions are treatable, and early intervention improves outcomes.

Popular posts from this blog

M T Vasudevan Nair

My entry into the world of Malayalam literature was through the masterful writings of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, whose passing today feels like a deeply personal loss. It was his novel Manju (Mist) that first drew me into this literary universe. The story, much like its title, was enveloped in an atmosphere of melancholy and mystery. It unraveled slowly, like mist clearing in the morning light, revealing truths that were profound yet heartbreakingly simple. The characters, their struggles, and their silences lingered in my mind long after I turned the last page. It was not just a novel; it was an experience. I returned to it over and over, each time discovering something new, as though the book was speaking directly to the depths of my soul. To this day, I cannot count how many times I have read Manju—it became, and remains, a companion to my thoughts. After Manju opened the door, M. T.’s other works beckoned me forward. I was soon engrossed in Nalukettu, a story that painted a vivid portra...
Read more

The concept of ghost writing

  Ghostwriting in the industry 1. _Common practice_: Ghostwriting is a common practice in the publishing industry, where a person hires a writer to create content on their behalf. 2. _Celebrity autobiographies_: Many celebrity autobiographies are written by ghostwriters, who work closely with the celebrity to capture their voice and story. 3. _Thought leaders and influencers_: Thought leaders and influencers often hire ghostwriters to help them create high-quality content, such as books, articles, and blog posts. Benefits of hiring a ghostwriter 1. _Time-saving_: Hiring a ghostwriter saves the vlogger time and effort, allowing them to focus on their core activities, such as creating content for their YouTube channel. 2. _Quality content_: A ghostwriter can bring a high level of writing expertise, ensuring that the content is engaging, well-researched, and polished. 3. _Consistency_: A ghostwriter can help maintain a consistent tone, style, and voice throughout the book, which is es...
Read more

Elephant Migration

** The Escalating Conflict Between Humans and Elephants: An Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change** The increasing incidences of elephants encroaching into human settlements in search of water and food present a vivid manifestation of the broader environmental crisis fuelled by climate change. This essay explores the complexities of this escalating conflict, which not only threatens the survival of the majestic Asian and African elephant species but also poses significant risks to human communities. The fundamental issue at the heart of this conflict is habitat loss, driven largely by climatic fluctuations and exacerbated by human activities such as deforestation and the expansion of agricultural and urban areas. As natural forests dwindle and water sources dry up, elephants, which are known for their large home ranges and dependency on vast quantities of water, are forced to venture into human-dominated areas. This migration is driven by a desperate search for the necessities of su...
Read more