{"id":3808,"date":"2021-08-18T20:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T00:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/?page_id=3808"},"modified":"2022-05-06T14:22:02","modified_gmt":"2022-05-06T18:22:02","slug":"mental-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A mental health disorder is defined as any condition that affects a person\u2019s thoughts, behaviors or moods. Learn more about common mental illnesses as well as causes, diagnosis and treatment.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mental health disorders are common conditions, affecting an estimated 54 million Americans each year. Mental health conditions can cause frequent stress and can be both emotionally and physically trying. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health concerns, know that you are not alone and help is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Mental Illness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A mental health disorder is defined as any condition that affects a person\u2019s thoughts, behaviors or moods. While some mental health disorders last for a limited period, others are chronic and lifelong. When these issues cause high levels of stress or affect their daily functioning or relationships, treatment may be necessary to help a person manage their symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Common Mental Health Disorders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAnxiety Disorders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A person with an\u00a0anxiety disorder<\/a>\u00a0may experience irrational fear and avoidance of certain objects, people or situations that pose little or no danger. Some of the most common anxiety disorders include\u00a0generalized anxiety disorder<\/a>,\u00a0social anxiety disorder<\/a>,\u00a0panic disorder<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0specific phobias<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEating Disorders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

An eating disorder<\/a>\u00a0is defined as an illness that is characterized by irregular eating habits and overconcern with weight or physical appearance. Many eating disorders involve inadequate or excessive intake of food, which can cause physical and mental damage to the body over time. These conditions include\u00a0anorexia nervosa<\/a>,\u00a0bulimia nervosa<\/a>,\u00a0binge eating disorder<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0avoidant restrictive food intake disorder<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPersonality Disorders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The specific traits of different personality disorders<\/a>\u00a0vary significantly; however, the symptoms of all personality disorders tend to be generally stable and consistent over time. They also usually directly reflect childhood circumstances. For example, someone with an anxious temperament and demanding parents might develop a rigid and fearful way of relating to the world that later becomes avoidant personality disorder.\u00a0Antisocial personality disorder<\/a>,\u00a0borderline personality disorder<\/a>,\u00a0dissociative identity disorder<\/a>, \u00a0histrionic personality disorder<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0schizoid personality disorder<\/a>\u00a0are examples of specific personality disorders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMood Disorders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Also referred to as depressive disorders, mood disorders are characterized by moods or emotions that are incongruent with one\u2019s current life circumstances. Depending on the specific mood disorder, this incongruency may involve gloomy, low and depressed moods, or excessively happy and euphoric moods called \u201cmanias.\u201d Some of the most well-known mood disorders include bipolar disorder<\/a>,\u00a0major depressive disorder<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0postpartum depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tObsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A person with an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/a>\u00a0grapples with obsessive thoughts and urges, or compulsive, repetitive behaviors.\u00a0Body dysmorphia<\/a>,\u00a0gender dysphoria<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0impulse control disorder<\/a>\u00a0are all classified as obsessive-compulsive disorder related conditions.<\/p>\n

Related Topic:<\/strong>\u00a0Gender dysphoria treatment<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStress-Related Disorders<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Stress-related disorders result from exposure to traumatic or deeply upsetting events. Specific disorders include acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0adjustment disorders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Causes of Mental Illness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is unknown, most develop as the result of a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some mental illnesses have been linked to abnormal functioning of the brain due to chemical imbalances, injuries or developmental abnormalities. Mental illnesses sometimes run in families, suggesting that genetics also plays a role. Other links to mental health disorders include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n