Contents:
1. Anxiety and panic disorders
2. Bipolar disorder
3. Depression
4. Eating disorders
5. Obsessive-compulsive disorders
6. Personality disorders
7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
8. Psychosis
9. Self-harm and suicidal feelings
Note: Please act maturely when approaching anything relating to mental health, because these are sensitive topics to some. Please remember that it is unwise to make any sort of jokes relating to these issues or to take any of this information lightly.
1. Anxiety and panic disorders
Caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, anxiety is something someone can be born with, or develop with time. Anxiety is a normal emotion that all humans feel now and then (which typically means being afraid, nervous or uncomfortable in different situations), but anxiety disorders specifically are when they happen more intensely and more frequently than normal. This also applies for panic disorders, which can last from about a minute to more than an hour, and they are known for their unexpectedness, and they could happen at any time. There is treatment for both cases though, and a therapist would be the first place to go.
In the time of a panic or anxiety attack, one could experience things such as:
Did you know:
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the USA.
"According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 40 million Americans over the age of 18 are affected by anxiety — roughly 18 percent of the nation’s population."
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Promises Behavioral Health. (2019). 8 Facts About Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders. [online] Available at: https://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health/8-facts-anxiety-anxiety-disorders/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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HelpGuide.org. (2019). Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder. [online] Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/panic-attacks-and-panic-disorders.htm/ [Accessed 7 Mar.2019].Google.com. (2019). what is anxiety and panic attacks - Google Search. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+anxiety+and+panic+attacks&rlz=1C1CHBH_enNO826NO826&oq=what+is+anxiety+and+panic+attacks&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0l5.4991j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
In the time of a panic or anxiety attack, one could experience things such as:
- Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
- A racing heart
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Trembling or shaking
- Choking feeling
- Feeling detached from your surroundings
- Sweating
- Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint
- Numbness
- Hot or cold flashes
- Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy
- Temporary psychosis fits
Did you know:
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the USA.
"According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 40 million Americans over the age of 18 are affected by anxiety — roughly 18 percent of the nation’s population."
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Promises Behavioral Health. (2019). 8 Facts About Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders. [online] Available at: https://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/mental-health/8-facts-anxiety-anxiety-disorders/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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HelpGuide.org. (2019). Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder. [online] Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/panic-attacks-and-panic-disorders.htm/ [Accessed 7 Mar.2019].Google.com. (2019). what is anxiety and panic attacks - Google Search. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+anxiety+and+panic+attacks&rlz=1C1CHBH_enNO826NO826&oq=what+is+anxiety+and+panic+attacks&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0l5.4991j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
2. Bipolar disorder
"Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition with strong changes in mood and energy.
People experiencing bipolar disorder can have:
Someone with bipolar disorder can change between the two extreme emotions very rapidly, and at first they won't realize how abruptly their emotions have changed, but it can't be prevented at the time. Help can be provided to minimize the episodes one has, but can't eliminate them all.
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Blackdoginstitute.org.au. (2019). What is bipolar disorder | Black Dog Institute. [online] Available at: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/clinical-resources/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
People experiencing bipolar disorder can have:
- depressive episodes: low mood, feelings of hopelessness, extreme sadness and lack of interest and pleasure in things
- manic or hypomanic episodes: extremely high mood and activity or agitation, racing thoughts, little need for sleep and rapid speech."
Someone with bipolar disorder can change between the two extreme emotions very rapidly, and at first they won't realize how abruptly their emotions have changed, but it can't be prevented at the time. Help can be provided to minimize the episodes one has, but can't eliminate them all.
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Blackdoginstitute.org.au. (2019). What is bipolar disorder | Black Dog Institute. [online] Available at: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/clinical-resources/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
3. Depression
Some official definitions and information:
"Depression is a diagnosis given to someone who is experiencing a low mood and who finds it hard or impossible to have fun or enjoy their lives." (Time To Change, 2019)
"Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living."(Mayo Clinic, 2019)
Both self-harm and suicidal thoughts/actions are a result of severe depression, and these are fatal and dangerous. On the other hand, therapists can help you out of it after time. The most important part is seeking help in the first place. More information can be found on our "seeking help" page if you hover over "more..." at the top right corner of this page.
Did you know: "Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression." (Who.int, 2019)
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Mayo Clinic. (2019). Depression (major depressive disorder) - Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Who.int. (2019). Depression. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
"Depression is a diagnosis given to someone who is experiencing a low mood and who finds it hard or impossible to have fun or enjoy their lives." (Time To Change, 2019)
"Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living."(Mayo Clinic, 2019)
Both self-harm and suicidal thoughts/actions are a result of severe depression, and these are fatal and dangerous. On the other hand, therapists can help you out of it after time. The most important part is seeking help in the first place. More information can be found on our "seeking help" page if you hover over "more..." at the top right corner of this page.
Did you know: "Globally, more than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression." (Who.int, 2019)
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Mayo Clinic. (2019). Depression (major depressive disorder) - Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Who.int. (2019). Depression. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
4. Eating disorders
"An eating disorder is a diagnosis given to someone who has unhealthy thoughts, feelings and behaviour about food and their body shape." (Time To Change, 2019)
Some types of eating disorders include:
On the other hand, ones like the binge eating disorder do the opposite type of damage, because one then binges on food and has difficulty stopping.
The disorders can start from anything from peer pressure to insecurities of one's shape or physical features. Either way it can do a lot of damage to someone, because they don't get their full intake of nutrients they need to survive and lead a healthy life.
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
Some types of eating disorders include:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa
- Binge eating disorder
On the other hand, ones like the binge eating disorder do the opposite type of damage, because one then binges on food and has difficulty stopping.
The disorders can start from anything from peer pressure to insecurities of one's shape or physical features. Either way it can do a lot of damage to someone, because they don't get their full intake of nutrients they need to survive and lead a healthy life.
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
5. Obsessive-compulsive disorders
"Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a mental health diagnosis given to someone who experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours." (Time To Change, 2019)
Some common tendencies of those with OCD are:
OCD is generally not dangerous, apart from when something dangerous (for example drugs) is involved. If someone is obsessed with/addicted to drugs, this of course is very dangerous, but most smaller cases involve things such as cleanliness, ordering and an obsession towards one specific object.
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Ocduk.org. (2019). Types of OCD | OCD-UK. [online] Available at: https://www.ocduk.org/ocd/types/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
Some common tendencies of those with OCD are:
- "Checking
- Contamination / Mental Contamination
- Symmetry and ordering
- Ruminations / Intrusive Thoughts
- Hoarding"
OCD is generally not dangerous, apart from when something dangerous (for example drugs) is involved. If someone is obsessed with/addicted to drugs, this of course is very dangerous, but most smaller cases involve things such as cleanliness, ordering and an obsession towards one specific object.
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Ocduk.org. (2019). Types of OCD | OCD-UK. [online] Available at: https://www.ocduk.org/ocd/types/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
6. Personality disorders
"If someone has a personality disorder, some aspects of their personality might affect them in a way which makes it very difficult to cope with day to day life, especially when it comes to relations or communicating with other people" (Time To Change, 2019).
The ten personality disorders are split into three categories:
Suspicious
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
- Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Avoidant (or anxious) personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCDP)
Did you know: Personality disorders are actually quite common, and affect about 1 in 10 of us, meaning 10% of the world's population. (RC PSYCH ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS, 2019)
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Time To Change. (2019). Types of problems. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Mind.org.uk. (2019). Types of personality disorder | Mind, the mental health charity - help for mental health problems. [online] Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/types-of-personality-disorder/#.XIGTsihKiUk [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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RC PSYCH ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS. (2019). Personality disorder. [online] Available at: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/personality-disorder [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
7. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
One can not be born with this disorder, as it comes about after a traumatic experience, although not necessarily right after. After the one stressful or traumatic experience any time from then to years later can such a disorder occur.
Although PTSD is in fact quite common among people, a lot of people do not get properly diagnosed. Here are some symptoms that would follow a traumatic experience which would typically indicate PTSD:
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Time To Change. (2019). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
Although PTSD is in fact quite common among people, a lot of people do not get properly diagnosed. Here are some symptoms that would follow a traumatic experience which would typically indicate PTSD:
- "Reliving the traumatic event through flashbacks, intrusive thoughts or nightmares.
- Constantly feeling on edge and alert, experiencing high anxiety or panic attacks.
- Avoiding feelings or memories of the event through keeping busy or avoiding talking about the event.
- Not being able to remember the event, through dissociation or feeling physically or emotionally numb."
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Time To Change. (2019). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
8. Psychosis
"A person experiencing psychosis perceives the world in a different way to those around them, including hallucinations, delusions or both:
The causes are complex: genetics, early childhood development, adverse life experiences, drug use and other factors increase your chances of experiencing psychosis. (Sane.org, 2019)
Psychosis can possibly be caused by other mental illnesses:
"schizophrenia – a condition that causes a range of psychological symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions
bipolar disorder – a mental health condition that affects mood; a person with bipolar disorder can have episodes of low mood (depression) and highs or elated mood (mania)
severe depression – some people with depression also have symptoms of psychosis when they're very depressed
Psychosis can also be triggered by:
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Time To Change. (2019). Psychosis. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems/psychosis [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Sane.org. (2019). Psychosis. [online] Available at: https://www.sane.org/mental-health-and-illness/facts-and-guides/psychosis [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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nhs.uk. (2019). Psychosis. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psychosis/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
- Hallucinations are when you see, hear, feel, taste or smell something that others don't
- Delusions are when you have thoughts or beliefs that others do not."
The causes are complex: genetics, early childhood development, adverse life experiences, drug use and other factors increase your chances of experiencing psychosis. (Sane.org, 2019)
Psychosis can possibly be caused by other mental illnesses:
"schizophrenia – a condition that causes a range of psychological symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions
bipolar disorder – a mental health condition that affects mood; a person with bipolar disorder can have episodes of low mood (depression) and highs or elated mood (mania)
severe depression – some people with depression also have symptoms of psychosis when they're very depressed
Psychosis can also be triggered by:
- a traumatic experience
- stress
- drug misuse
- alcohol misuse
- side effects of prescribed medication"
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Time To Change. (2019). Psychosis. [online] Available at: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-mental-health/types-problems/psychosis [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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Sane.org. (2019). Psychosis. [online] Available at: https://www.sane.org/mental-health-and-illness/facts-and-guides/psychosis [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
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nhs.uk. (2019). Psychosis. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psychosis/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2019].
9. Self harm and suicidal feelings
The definition of self harming is “a preoccupation with deliberately hurting oneself without conscious suicidal intent, often resulting in damage to body tissue” (Muelehkamp, 2005, p.324).
Although self-harm is not the same as suicide, self-harm can escalate into suicidal behaviours. The intent to die can change over time. One study found that almost half of people who self-harm reported at least one suicide attempt (Klonsky, 2011).
Although self-harm is not the same as suicide, self-harm can escalate into suicidal behaviours. The intent to die can change over time. One study found that almost half of people who self-harm reported at least one suicide attempt (Klonsky, 2011).
For more on this subject, go onto our "seeking help" page.
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