Types of Mental Disorders: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

We all move through different feelings in life. Sadness, worry or tension in the face of pressure at work, at university or at home is part of being human. But when does an ordinary feeling become something that deserves attention? What separates a passing shift in mood from a mental health condition? And what are the main types of mental disorders, their symptoms and their treatments?

Mental disorders differ in nature, in how they present, and in how much they affect a person's life. One may appear as persistent anxiety, another as a loss of interest and pleasure, another as pronounced swings in mood, or as recurring thoughts and behaviours, or as disturbed sleep and appetite. Some effects show up physically as well.

The most common categories include anxiety disorders, depression and mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others.

In this guide from Well, we look at what mental disorders are, what causes them and which factors may raise the likelihood of developing one, the main symptoms to be aware of, the most common types, how they are diagnosed, and the kinds of psychological treatment available — along with the specialist's role in choosing the right approach for each person.

Please note: this article is for health awareness and education. It is not a substitute for a diagnosis or a direct medical assessment. If symptoms persist, are severe, or affect your daily life, it is better to speak with a mental health specialist.

What are mental disorders, and how do they affect our lives?

Mental disorders are health conditions that can affect thinking, feeling or behaviour. They may involve psychological distress, or affect a person's ability to manage parts of daily life such as work, study or relationships.

According to the World Health Organization, one in every seven people lives with a mental disorder. Its effects can show up in many areas, such as:

• Difficulty concentrating at work or in study.
• A decline in the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
• Changes in relationships with family and friends.
• Disturbed sleep or appetite.
• Withdrawal from social activities.
• Losing interest in things that used to be enjoyable.
• Increased anxiety, fear or irritability.
• Physical symptoms accompanying the psychological state.

The WHO also notes that mental disorders can cause distress or impairment in important areas of functioning, and that effective options for prevention and treatment exist for many of these conditions.

Does every episode of sadness or anxiety mean a disorder?

No. Grief after losing someone close, nerves before an exam or a job interview, or tension while going through a hard period can all be a normal part of human experience.

Specialist support becomes more important when symptoms persist, are severe, or start to affect daily life, relationships, or the ability to carry out ordinary tasks.

What is the difference between normal mood changes and a mental disorder?

It can be hard to tell whether a change in mood is a temporary response to circumstances or something that warrants a specialist assessment.

This table is for orientation, not diagnosis. The presence of a mental disorder cannot be established from the duration or severity of symptoms alone.

What are the types of mental disorders?

There are several categories of mental disorder, and each contains different types and sub-diagnoses. The table below gives a brief overview before we look at them in more detail.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health includes topics such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and psychological stress within its public education material on mental and psychological illness.

1. Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental disorders. They may include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and certain specific phobias.

A person may feel excessive fear or worry, alongside symptoms such as tension, difficulty concentrating, disturbed sleep, and a racing heart, sweating or trembling.

Feeling anxious in a particular situation does not mean a disorder is present. Ordinary anxiety differs from an anxiety disorder in the nature of the symptoms, how long they last, and how much they affect a person.

2. Mood disorders

Depression is not simply passing sadness. It may involve a persistent feeling of sadness or a loss of pleasure and interest, along with changes in sleep, appetite, energy and concentration, and it can affect emotion, thinking, behaviour and day-to-day functioning.

Bipolar disorder involves clear changes in mood, energy and activity. Depending on the type, it may include periods of depression and periods of mania or hypomania — stretches in which mood is elevated with a marked increase in energy and activity.

3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves recurring, distressing thoughts, urges or mental images, which may push a person towards repeated behaviours or rituals intended to relieve the associated anxiety.

Examples include:

• Excessive fear of contamination.
• Repeatedly checking doors or appliances.
• An intense need for order.
• Repeating certain actions in a way that affects daily life.

But carrying out a repeated behaviour does not necessarily mean OCD is present. Diagnosis requires a specialist assessment.

4. Post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may appear after exposure to a traumatic event. Its symptoms may include:

• Distressing re-experiencing of the event.
• Nightmares.
• Avoiding places or situations connected to the event.
• Hypervigilance and tension.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Changes in feelings or thoughts connected to the event.

5. Eating disorders

A mental disorder that may take the form of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or others. These conditions can affect physical and mental health together, which is why they may require a multidisciplinary treatment plan.

6. Psychotic disorders

Psychotic disorders include conditions such as schizophrenia, and may involve symptoms including:

• Hallucinations.
• Delusional thinking.
• Disorganised thinking.
• Difficulty perceiving reality accurately.
• Social withdrawal.
• Changes in behaviour.

These disorders should not be treated as automatic evidence that a person poses a danger to others. Without a specialist assessment, that stereotype is inaccurate and can deepen the stigma attached to mental illness.

7. Personality disorders

Personality disorders involve long-standing patterns of thinking, feeling or behaving, and may affect relationships and how a person handles situations and emotions. A personality disorder differs from a passing change in behaviour or mood, and diagnosing one requires a specialist assessment that takes account of the person's history and the pattern of symptoms across different situations.

The main ones include:

• Avoidant personality disorder.
• Borderline personality disorder.
• Dependent personality disorder.
• Histrionic personality disorder.
• Narcissistic personality disorder.
• Paranoid personality disorder.
• Schizoid personality disorder.
• Antisocial personality disorder.
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

8. Neurodevelopmental disorders

Some conditions are classified as neurodevelopmental disorders — attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, for example — and may affect attention, organisation, behaviour and daily functioning.

What about mental disorders in children?

Children and adolescents can also experience mental disorders, but symptoms may present differently than in adults. Signs worth paying attention to may include:

• A clear, persistent change in behaviour.
• Withdrawing from friends or activities.
• Noticeable difficulties at school.
• Frequent, unusual outbursts of anger.
• Changes in sleep or appetite.
• Recurring physical complaints.
• Intense anxiety or fear.
• Refusing to go to school, in some cases.
• Severe difficulty separating from parents or caregivers.

Mental health conditions in children need an assessment appropriate to their age and stage of development, and the family usually has an important role in gathering information and supporting the treatment plan.

What causes mental disorders?

There is no single cause for all mental disorders. A condition may arise from an interaction of biological, psychological, social and environmental factors, and risk factors differ from person to person and from one disorder to another.

1. Biological and genetic factors

Some mental disorders may be linked to genetic or biological factors. A family history of a particular condition may raise the likelihood of developing it, but it does not make it inevitable.

2. Psychological factors

Past experiences, patterns of thinking, and how a person handles pressure and relationships can all affect mental health. But a mental disorder cannot be reduced to "a weak personality" or a lack of willpower — mental disorders are complex health conditions in which multiple factors interact.

Difficult or traumatic experiences can affect mental health, and some conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, are linked to exposure to a traumatic event.

3. Brain chemistry and function

The brain relies on neurotransmitters that influence mood, behaviour and reactions, and an imbalance between these chemicals may contribute to a mental disorder.

4. Social and environmental factors

Certain circumstances may be associated with increased psychological pressure, such as:

• Ongoing pressure at work or in study.
• Family problems.
• Social isolation.
• Exposure to violence or abuse.
• Losing someone close.
• Major changes in living circumstances.
• Difficult economic and social conditions.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health notes that psychological stress can be a part of everyday life, but that it may affect the body, emotions and behaviour when it accumulates or becomes severe.

Some physical health conditions and some medications can also affect mental state, which is why a doctor may need to rule out physical causes when assessing certain symptoms.

What are the symptoms of mental disorders?

Symptoms differ according to the condition, but they may appear as emotional, cognitive, behavioural or physical symptoms.

Emotional symptoms

These may include:

• Persistent sadness.
• A feeling of emptiness.
• Intense anxiety or fear.
• Irritability.
• Loss of pleasure or interest.
• A sense of hopelessness.
• Clear changes in mood.

Cognitive symptoms

On the cognitive side, symptoms may include:

• Difficulty concentrating.
• Scattered thinking.
• Difficulty making decisions.
• Recurring negative thoughts.
• Excessive preoccupation with particular fears.
• Changes in thinking or in perceiving reality, in some disorders.

Behavioural symptoms

A mental disorder may also show up in behaviour, as:

• Social withdrawal.
• Avoiding certain situations.
• A clear change in activity level.
• Difficulty carrying out usual tasks.
• Repeating certain compulsive behaviours.
• Noticeable changes in day-to-day behaviour.

What are the physical symptoms of mental illness?

Some mental health conditions can be accompanied by physical symptoms, such as:

• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Disturbed sleep.
• Changes in appetite or weight.
• Muscle tension.
• Heart palpitations.
• Sweating or trembling.
• Digestive problems.
• Shortness of breath or a feeling of choking during some anxiety episodes.

The World Health Organization notes that anxiety disorders, for example, may be accompanied by physical, cognitive and behavioural symptoms, including palpitations, sweating, trembling, disturbed sleep and difficulty concentrating.

How is a mental disorder diagnosed?

A specialist assessment may involve:

• Identifying current symptoms.
• Understanding how long symptoms have lasted and how they have developed.
• Assessing the effect of symptoms on daily life.
• Reviewing health and psychological history.
• Identifying relevant family factors where needed.
• Reviewing medications or substances that may affect symptoms.
• Ruling out physical causes where there is reason to do so.

Can mental disorders be treated?

Yes. Effective options for prevention and treatment exist for many mental disorders, and response to treatment differs from person to person depending on the type of disorder, its severity, how long symptoms have lasted, and the person's needs.

Some people achieve significant improvement or marked recovery, while other cases may need long-term follow-up to maintain stability and reduce the return of symptoms.

What types of psychological treatment are there?

The appropriate type of treatment depends on the disorder, the severity of symptoms, and the person's needs.

Talking therapy

Psychotherapy covers a range of approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps a person understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and work on developing more effective ways of handling certain problems.

Other therapeutic approaches exist, such as dialectical behaviour therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, and the specialist determines the most suitable approach for the case.

Medication

Medication may form part of the treatment for some mental disorders — antidepressants, antipsychotics or mood stabilisers, for example — particularly where symptoms are severe or where the doctor judges that medication is appropriate for the case.

No psychiatric medication should be started, stopped, or have its dose changed without the guidance of the treating doctor.

Family and group therapy

Family or group therapy may help in some cases, particularly where relationships or the surrounding environment are an important part of the problem or of the recovery process.

Psychosocial support

Psychosocial support may include support groups, rehabilitation programmes, and help in regaining the ability to fulfil social, occupational and educational roles.

When should you see a mental health specialist?

Seeing a doctor or psychologist may be appropriate if:

• Symptoms have persisted and begun to affect your daily life.
• Study or work has become harder.
• Your relationships have been clearly affected.
• Anxiety, sadness or fear has become frequent and hard to control.
• There has been a marked, persistent change in sleep or appetite.
• You have lost interest in activities you used to enjoy.
• You have started avoiding people or situations more and more.
• Panic episodes or distressing psychological symptoms have recurred.
• You feel unable to cope with what you are going through on your own.

Asking for psychological help is not a sign of weakness, and seeing a specialist does not necessarily mean a mental disorder is present. An assessment may be the step that helps you understand what is happening and work out whether you need treatment or support.

When is a mental health situation an emergency?

Some situations require urgent medical help, particularly where there is:

• Thoughts of, or a plan for, self-harm or ending one's life.
• A clear risk to the safety of the person or others.
• A severe loss of the ability to meet basic needs.
• Hallucinations or thoughts disconnected from reality, appearing acutely or suddenly.
• A severe, sudden change in behaviour or awareness that calls for medical intervention.

In these situations, do not wait for a routine appointment and do not rely on an online psychological test. Seek urgent medical help or go to the nearest appropriate emergency facility.

Do some of these symptoms sound familiar?

If you find that some of the symptoms described in this article apply to you or to someone close to you, do not try to reach a final diagnosis based on an article or an online test.

If symptoms persist, or affect work, study, relationships or daily life, an assessment with a mental health specialist may be the right step to understand what is happening and identify the appropriate support or treatment.

Get a specialist mental health assessment with Well

Well gives you access to mental health services and to specialists who can provide an appropriate assessment and guidance on the next step according to your needs.

Take your first step towards suitable mental health care and explore mental health services at Well.

Sources

• Mental Disorders | Cleveland Clinic
• Bipolar Disorder | Ministry of Health (SA)
• Types of mental health issues | Better Health
• List of Psychological Disorders | Verywell Mind