13 Major Types Of Mental Illness You Should Know About

Mental health encompasses an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. Maintaining good mental health is crucial for leading a fulfilling and healthy life. However, due to the daily stresses people face and the stigma surrounding mental health, achieving and sustaining it has become increasingly challenging.

Mental illness refers to a range of conditions that impact a person's thoughts, emotions, and daily activities. Studies show that approximately 1 in 25 adults experiences a serious mental illness (SMI) each year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women are at a higher risk of SMI than men.

There are various types of mental illnesses, with the most common ones including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Below is a closer look at each of these conditions.

Types of Mental Illness

# Mood Disorders

Also known as affective disorders, these involve extreme emotional highs, lows, or fluctuations between the two. Common mood disorders include depression, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymic disorder.

# Personality Disorders

Individuals with personality disorders display rigid and extreme patterns of thinking, behavior, and emotional responses that lead to distress and difficulties in personal and professional relationships. Examples include obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and paranoid personality disorder.

# Anxiety Disorders

Characterized by excessive fear or anxiety, these disorders often manifest with physical symptoms such as sweating and a rapid heartbeat. Common types include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias.

# Eating Disorders

These disorders involve an unhealthy relationship with food, body weight, and self-image, often accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight. Common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

# Psychotic Disorders

Individuals with psychotic disorders experience hallucinations, delusions, and distorted thinking. Schizophrenia is a well-known example.

# Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

This disorder is marked by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions), interfering with daily life.

# Impulse Control and Addiction Disorders

People with these disorders struggle to resist harmful urges, which may include compulsive gambling, kleptomania, and pyromania.

# Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD develops after a traumatic event, leading to persistent anxiety, fear, and distressing memories that interfere with daily life.

# Stress Response Syndrome

Previously known as adjustment disorder, this condition occurs when a person experiences emotional or behavioral distress following a stressful event, typically appearing within three months of the event.

# Sexual and Gender Disorders

These disorders affect an individual’s sexual desire, performance, or identity, impacting their ability or motivation to engage in sexual activity. Examples include gender identity disorders, sexual dysfunction, and paraphilias.

# Dissociative Disorders

These involve disruptions in memory, consciousness, identity, or awareness, often resulting from traumatic experiences.

# Somatic Symptom Disorder

Formerly known as psychosomatic disorder, this condition causes physical symptoms such as pain or illness that lead to significant emotional distress, despite no clear medical cause.

# Tic Disorders

These involve sudden, uncontrollable movements or vocalizations, such as those seen in Tourette’s syndrome.