Types of Mental Illness: Let's find out exactly what this is!

In our society, when we say 'mental illness', many people are a little scared, or they see it as a big mistake and shame. But in reality, a mental illness is just another medical condition that develops in our body, like diabetes or high blood pressure . The difference is that it affects our mind, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. So today, let's talk very simply and politely about what these mental illnesses are and what their main types are. Knowing this well will be very important to help you as well as your family and friends.

What are the main types of mental illness?

Many types of mental illnesses have been identified in medicine. Let's talk about some of the main and most common types of these. For ease of understanding, I will first show these in a table.

Okay, so now let's look at each of these types in a little more detail.

1. Anxiety Disorders

A person with this condition feels an extreme fear and anxiety about certain things, places, or situations. At this time , the heart rate increases and physical symptoms such as sweating occur. This is normal for us to feel this way when we are afraid. However, if the fear is completely out of proportion to the situation and is uncontrollable and interferes with daily activities, it can be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. `( Generalized Anxiety Disorder )`, `( Panic Disorder)` (sudden excessive fear), `( Social Anxiety Disorder)` (fear of social situations) and `( Specific Phobias)` (fear of specific things such as snakes, heights) are some of the diseases that fall under this category.

2. Mood Disorders

This is also called `(Affective Disorders)`. What happens here is that there are unusual changes in a person's mood, that is, in their state of mind. Either they feel a constant feeling of sadness or sadness . Or, at times, they feel extremely happy and active for no reason . Sometimes the mind may move back and forth rapidly between these extremes of extreme happiness and extreme sadness. The most common mood disorders are `(Depression)`, `(Bipolar Disorder)` and `(Cyclothymic Disorder)` .

3. Psychotic Disorders

These diseases involve a distortion of a person's ability to think and perceive reality. There are two main characteristics.

• Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not there. For example, hearing voices where there is no one.
• Delusions: Strongly held false beliefs that cannot be changed despite evidence. For example, a strong belief that someone is conspiring against you.

Schizophrenia is the main disease in this category.

Other common mental illnesses

4. Eating Disorders

In this condition, a person obsesses over their weight and food, and exhibits extreme feelings and behaviors. Anorexia Nervosa (eating very little for fear of gaining weight), Bulimia Nervosa (eating too much and then purging), and Binge Eating Disorder (eating too much without control) are the main illnesses in this category.

5. Impulse Control and Addiction Disorders

These people cannot control their impulses to do things that could harm themselves or others. Examples include Pyromania (an uncontrollable desire to set fires), Kleptomania (an urge to steal), and Compulsive Gambling. Alcohol and drugs are also common addictions. These people become so involved in their addiction that they forget about their responsibilities, family, and social relationships .

6. Personality Disorders

Here, a person has extreme and inflexible personality traits. These traits cause significant problems for the person, as well as for their work, education, and social relationships. Also, the way they think and behave is very different from the normal patterns expected in society. `( Antisocial Personality Disorder )`, `(Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder)`, and `(Paranoid Personality Disorder)` are some examples of this.

7. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with this condition have unwanted, disturbing thoughts (called `obsessions`) that come to mind all the time. To relieve the fear caused by these thoughts, they do certain things repeatedly (called `compulsions`). For example, they wash their hands frequently because of an abnormal fear of germs.

8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Imagine that someone has experienced a very traumatic event. For example, sexual or physical abuse, the sudden death of a loved one, or a natural disaster. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop after such an event. People often have frightening thoughts and memories of the event. Their emotions may also become numb.

Other relatively rare mental illnesses

In addition to those mentioned above, there are other types of mental illnesses .

• Stress Response Syndromes: Behavioral or emotional problems that occur after a severe stressful event (e.g., divorce, job loss).
• Dissociative Disorders: Severe disruptions in memory, identity, and self-awareness. This condition can be caused by severe trauma.
• Tic Disorders: Uncontrolled, sudden, and repetitive body movements or vocalizations. An example of this is Tourette's Syndrome.

The most important thing for us to understand from all of this is that mental illness is a treatable condition that can come in many forms. Therefore, it is very important to seek the necessary medical advice without being ashamed or afraid of it.

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