Philippine Mental Health Association – CORDILLERA CHAPTER INC.

What is Mental Disorder?

Mental disorder is a medically diagnosable illness that results in the significant impairment of an individual’s intellectual, emotional, behavioral, relational abilities, and occupational abilities as a student, worker, parent, etc. It is equivalent to mental illness.

There are many mental disorders, with different presentations. They are generally characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behavior and relationships with others. Below are some  common mental disorders.

(Disclaimer: The contents of this post are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may be experiencing mental-related issues, contact our Clinical, Diagnostic, and Intervention Services Department for assistance.)

 

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening. There are many types of anxiety disorders, each with different symptoms. The most common types of anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Phobias.

 

Bipolar Disorder

It typically consists of both manic and depressive episodes separated by periods of normal mood. Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, over-activity, rapid speech, inflated self-esteem and a decreased need for sleep. People who have manic attacks but do not experience depressive episodes are also classified as having bipolar disorder.

 

Depression

It is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, tiredness, and poor concentration. People with depression may also have multiple physical complaints with no apparent physical cause. Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing people’s ability to function at work or school and to cope with daily life. At its most severe, depression can lead to suicide.

 

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a group of related conditions that cause serious emotional and physical problems. Each condition involves extreme food and weight issues; however, each has unique symptoms that separate it from the others. Types of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder.

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Traumatic events—such as an accident, assault, military combat or natural disaster—can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health. While many people will have short term responses to life-threatening events, some will develop longer term symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of PTSD. PTSD symptoms often co-exist with other conditions such as substance use disorders, depression and anxiety.

 

Schizophrenia

Psychoses, including schizophrenia, are characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behavior. Common psychotic experiences include hallucinations (hearing, seeing or feeling things that are not there) and delusions (fixed false beliefs or suspicions that are firmly held even when there is evidence to the contrary). The disorder can make it difficult for people affected to work or study normally.

Sources: World Health Organization & National Alliance on Mental Illness