Mental Health Conditions

Anxiety Disorder is a mental health condition that can cause constant fear or worry about stressful situations.

Some symptoms of anxiety include:

• Pounding heart
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Regular numbness in the hands or feet
• Insomnia or trouble falling asleep
• Muscle tension
• Trouble concentrating
• Easily irritable
• Constant sense of panic and uneasiness

Sometimes anxiety can be helpful by making people more alert in situations that feel dangerous.

Some types of anxiety disorders include:

GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder): Constant worry about everyday things, even when there’s no clear reason.

Agoraphobia: Fear of situations that feel hard to escape or overwhelming (like crowded places or wide open spaces).

Selective mutism: Anxiety that makes speaking feel impossible in certain situations.

Anxiety can affect the body in many ways, including:

• Impeding your ability to function properly
• Overreacting to situations
• Feeling unable to control responses in specific scenarios
• Racing thoughts
• Restlessness
• Increased heart rate

Treatments for anxiety:

• Stress management techniques (meditation, breathing exercises like the box method, mindfulness)
• Support groups
• Learning more about the condition
• Limiting or avoiding caffeine
• Talking to a healthcare provider about treatment options

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person experiences repeated, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and feels driven to do certain actions or rituals (compulsions) to reduce anxiety or to feel “safe.”

Obsessions can look like:

• Fear of germs, contamination, or getting sick
• Worry that something bad will happen unless things are “just right”
• Fear of making a mistake that harms someone
• Thoughts that repeat even when you try to ignore them

Compulsions can look like:

• Washing hands or cleaning over and over
• Checking locks, doors, appliances, or homework repeatedly
• Counting, tapping, repeating words, or arranging items until it feels “right”
• Constant reassurance seeking (“Are you sure?”)

How OCD can affect daily life:

• Rituals can take a lot of time and make it hard to focus on school or work
• A person may avoid places or situations that trigger obsessions
• It can feel exhausting or frustrating — but it’s treatable

Common treatment options:

• ERP therapy: Exposure and Response Prevention (a type of CBT) helps reduce compulsions
• CBT: Helps challenge scary thoughts and build healthier patterns
• Medication: Some SSRIs can reduce symptoms for many people
• Support: Education + family support can make treatment easier

Depression is a mental health condition that makes you feel empty, hopeless, or lose interest in things you normally enjoy.

Some symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling sad or empty most of the day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in things you enjoy
• Fatigue or low energy
• Sleep problems (sleeping too much or too little)
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Restlessness or feeling slowed down
• Trouble completing daily tasks
• Avoiding friends or social activities
• Irritability
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Physical aches or pains with no clear cause
• Loss of motivation
• Feeling like a burden to others

Some types of depression include:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Experiencing depression for at least 2 weeks with symptoms that interfere with daily activities
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Long-lasting depression that lasts for at least 2 years
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression that occurs during certain times of the year, usually when there is less sunlight
• Postpartum Depression: Depression that occurs after giving birth, affecting new mothers

Some ways to cope with depression:

• Talk to a mental health professional (therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist)
• Engage in regular exercise or physical activity, even a 20-minute walk
• Practice self-care: maintain a routine, eat nutritious food, and get enough sleep
• Connect with friends, family, or support groups to reduce isolation
• Consider medication if recommended by a healthcare provider

Sources: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Mayo Clinic, American Psychological Association (APA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO)

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person's ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviors, and sometimes causes hyperactivity.

Some symptoms of ADD/ADHD include:

• Difficulty paying attention or focusing on tasks
• Easily distracted by sounds, sights, or thoughts
• Trouble organizing tasks or managing time
• Procrastination or avoiding tasks that require sustained effort
• Fidgeting or constant movement
• Difficulty waiting turns or sitting still
• Interrupting others frequently
• Impulsive spending or risky behavior
• Forgetfulness in daily activities
• Losing track of important items (keys, phone, homework)
• Starting tasks but not finishing them
• Difficulty following instructions
• Emotional dysregulation (sudden mood swings)

Some effects of ADHD include:

• Struggling in school or work due to focus issues
• Relationship challenges due to impulsivity or forgetfulness
• Lower self-esteem from repeated failures or criticism
• Difficulty managing emotions and stress
• Higher risk of accidents due to impulsive behavior
• Sleep problems and restlessness

Common causes of ADHD:

ADHD is primarily caused by genetic factors (it runs in families) and differences in how the brain develops and functions. Prenatal factors like maternal smoking or low birth weight may also increase risk.

Some prevention and management strategies:

• Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps
• Use timers, reminders, and organizational tools
• Exercise regularly to improve focus and reduce hyperactivity
• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Work with a therapist or coach for coping strategies
• Medication (if recommended by a healthcare provider)

Types of ADHD:

• Predominantly Inattentive Type: Main symptoms are difficulty focusing and organization
• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: Main symptoms are fidgeting, restlessness, and impulsivity

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It involves having persistent, distressing memories, avoiding reminders, and heightened stress responses.

Common symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event
• Nightmares related to the trauma
• Severe emotional distress when reminded of the event
• Physical reactions to reminders (racing heart, sweating)

Some effects of PTSD include:

• Avoidance of places, people, or situations that trigger memories
• Negative thoughts about oneself or the world
• Difficulty remembering important details of the event
• Persistent blame of self or others
• Persistent negative emotional state (fear, anger, guilt, shame)
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Feeling detached from family and friends
• Inability to feel positive emotions
• Heightened startle response or hypervigilance
• Reckless or self-destructive behavior
• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances
• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
• Panic attacks
• Dissociation (feeling disconnected from reality)
• Substance abuse as coping mechanism

Common causes of PTSD:

PTSD can develop after experiencing combat, serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, witnessing violence, sudden death of a loved one, life-threatening illness, or other traumatic events.

Some ways to cope with PTSD:

• Seek professional help from a trauma-informed therapist or counselor
• Practice grounding techniques to manage flashbacks and dissociation
• Engage in regular physical activity or yoga
• Connect with support groups for trauma survivors
• Maintain a healthy sleep routine and manage stress

Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition marked by extreme shifts in mood, from very high (manic) states to very low (depressive) states.

Some types of bipolar disorder include:

• Bipolar I Disorder: Characterized by at least one manic episode that lasts at least 7 days (or requires hospitalization)
• Bipolar II Disorder: Characterized by depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes (less severe than mania), but not full manic episodes
• Cyclothymia: A milder form with numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms lasting at least 2 years

Some symptoms of bipolar disorder include:

• During manic/hypomanic episodes: unusually elevated mood and energy
• Racing thoughts and rapid speech
• Decreased need for sleep but feeling rested
• Grandiose ideas about abilities or importance
• Increased goal-directed activity
• Risky behavior (excessive spending, reckless driving, substance use)
• Distractibility and difficulty focusing
• During depressive episodes: persistent low mood and loss of interest
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide

Common causes of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar disorder is primarily caused by genetic factors (it runs in families), brain chemistry imbalances (neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine), and environmental stressors.

Some prevention and management strategies:

• Medication (mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants as prescribed)
• Therapy (particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy or family therapy)
• Maintaining a consistent daily routine and sleep schedule

An Eating Disorder is a mental health condition that affects both physical and mental health. These conditions affect how people think about eating, weight, and shape. These symptoms can cause emotions and affect the ability to function. In some cases, long-term eating disorders can lead to death. The 3 types of mental health disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.

Symptoms of Eating Disorders Include

• Skipping meals, eating small portions, or making excuses not to eat
• Eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time
• Behaviors such as vomiting, using laxatives
• Strictly avoiding certain foods or food groups
• Eating in secret and avoiding eating with others
• Frequent dieting
• Obsessive calorie counting or constant focusing on "healthy eating."

Some types of eating disorders include:

Anorexia

Anorexia is a life-threatening eating disorder. It is often characterized by extreme restriction of food and fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia often see themselves as overweight when, in fact, they are underweight.

Bulimia

Bulimia is a disorder categorized by repeated binge eating followed by attempts to lose that weight. These behaviors, called purging, can cause extensive vomiting and stress to the body. During a binge eating session, the person eats a lot of food in a short time, which then leads to shame and guilt. This guilt can later turn into purging behaviors. Unlike Anorexia, bulimia often happens to people between the average and overweight categories.

What should you do if someone you know has an eating disorder?

If you're concerned about a family member or friend, here are some things you should do:

• Start with care
• Allow them to talk openly without getting interrupted
• Encourage professional help
• Offer practical support
• Be patient
• Take warning signs seriously

Suicide is a mental health problem that touches both thought and emotion. It occurs when someone is crushed by pain, stress, or despair and sees no other escape. It strikes every age, background, plus circumstance. In most cases, support, attention, and professional treatment avert the act. Those who battle suicidal thoughts often feel caged, isolated, or certain that they weigh others down. Such feelings block the view of answers or the belief that life can improve. With suitable help, people discover safer ways to endure and regain hope.

Signs That Someone May Be Thinking About Suicide

• Speaks of wanting to die or of wishing life would end.
• Pulls away from friends, relatives, but also social events.
• Feels hopeless, worthless, or convinced they are a burden.
• Shows sharp mood shifts often
• Eats markedly more or less and sleeps far more or less.
• Drinks more alcohol or uses more drugs.
• Risks or hurts themselves on purpose.
• Gives possessions away or tells people goodbye.

What to do if someone you know is considering suicide

• Treat the concern as real.
• Speak with kindness and care.
• Listen without judging or cutting in.
• Urge contact with a professional.
• Stay in touch as well as give steady support.
• Treat every warning sign as urgent.
• If the danger is immediate, do not leave the person alone.

Substance Use Disorders

The rise of substance use disorders has caused losses of billions of dollars in health care, as well as loss of life and productivity. Children are at a higher risk than ever of developing a substance use disorder. Despite treatment being effective, many families that need it do not receive it.

Drug addiction can begin with experimental use of a drug in social situations, which can later turn into a habit and then an addiction. For others, drug abuse starts with a highly addictive prescription drug that is misused and eventually leads to addiction.

The chance and risk of addiction varies between drugs. Opioid painkillers are often among the quickest substances to lead to addiction.

Over time, the same amount of a drug may no longer have the same effect. This often leads people to increase their intake, making addiction stronger and more difficult to stop. In some cases, withdrawal from certain drugs can be life-threatening.

Support from friends and family can play an important role in recovery by helping individuals overcome addiction and create a healthier, more supportive environment.