Last Updated on May 12, 2021
Needless to say, your mental health is as crucial as your physical wellbeing. Even though a lot of people refuse to accept the existence of mental health disorders, they do exist. In this article today, I’m going to highlight a few mental health disorders that are becoming common more and more with every passing day. Â
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Â
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, generalized anxiety disorder affects more than 6.5 million adults annually. It often occurs in combination with the major depressive disorder; hence, the ones suffering from it fall deep into the pits of mental chaos. Â
Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Â
- Persistence restlessness and negative thoughtsÂ
- Shortness of breath Â
- Excessive sweating and dry mouth Â
- Shaking or trembling Â
- Body aches and sore muscles Â
- Palpitations Â
- Fatigue and dizziness Â
Treatment Options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder Â
- Antidepressants, including SNRIs and SSRIs Â
- Benzodiazepines for short-term use Â
- Anti-anxiety medicines for long-term use Â
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)Â
- Medical marijuana strains like purple space cookies and lemon haze Â
- Breathing exercises for immediate reliefÂ
Major Depressive Disorder Â
Major depression disorder, also known as MDD, is a severe mood disorder that can affect various parts of life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 17.3 million people in the US have had an episode of major depression in their adulthood. Â
It’s alarming how the prevalence of clinical depression is higher in women compared to men. Due to hormonal and social differences, women are more likely to suffer from clinical depression. Â
Symptoms of Major Depressive DisorderÂ
- Persistent feelings of sadness and emptiness Â
- Loss of interest in everyday life activitiesÂ
- Irritability and anger outbursts Â
- Hopelessness and pessimism Â
- Loss of appetite or overeating Â
- Insomnia or sleeping too much Â
- Body aches, especially headaches that won’t go away with OTC painkillers Â
- Suicidal thoughts or possible attemptsÂ
Treatment Options for Major Depressive Disorder Â
- AntidepressantsÂ
- Antipsychotics in case of hallucinations or delusions Â
- Sleep-inducing pills for insomnia Â
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)Â
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)Â
- Natural herbs and plants, including medical marijuana strains or certain essential oilsÂ
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Â
Post-traumatic stress disorder also called PTSD is a psychological disorder that affects people who have experienced a traumatic incident, such as sexual violence, a terrorist act, or a natural disaster. Not everyone develops PTSD after witnessing a stressful event; however, a clinical survey suggests that 6.8% of the US population suffers from PTSD. Â
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Â
- Loss of concentration and confusion Â
- Hypervigilance in some casesÂ
- Aggressive or irritable behavior Â
- Lack of sleep or hypersomnia Â
- Restlessness when reminded of the incident Â
- Night sweats and flashbacks of the traumatic event Â
- Startling and jumping to conclusions Â
- Social awkwardness Â
Treatment Options for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Â
- Anti-anxiety medicines for restlessness Â
- Tranquilizers for insomnia Â
- Antidepressants for stress relief Â
- Stress inoculation training Â
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing Â
- Prolonged exposure therapy Â
- Cognitive process therapy (CPT)Â
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, serves as a bridge between mood and psychotic disorders. It has three different episodes, including manic, hypo-manic, and major depressive episodes. The symptoms and treatment of bipolar disorder highly depend on the episode one experiences.Â
Symptoms of Bipolar DisorderÂ
- Hyperactive and abnormally wiredÂ
- Increased energy and irritability (manic and hypo-manic episode)Â
- Poor decision-making skillsÂ
- Racing thoughtsÂ
- Unusual talkativeness (manic episode)Â
- Decreased need for sleepÂ
- Loss of energy or fatigue (major depressive episode)Â
- Loss of interest in everyday life activitiesÂ
- Suicidal thoughts or attemptsÂ
Treatment Options for Bipolar DisorderÂ
- Antidepressants in case of major depressive episodeÂ
- Antipsychotics in case of manic and hypo-manic episodeÂ
- Anti-anxiety medications to ease restlessnessÂ
- Mood stabilizersÂ
- Natural stress-relieving methods like meditation or yogaÂ
- Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and varied dietÂ
- Cognitive behavior therapy
Social Anxiety DisorderÂ
Social anxiety disorder is also pretty common these days. It hits people of all age groups and genders. Rendering to stats, 12% of the American population suffers from a social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia. The symptoms of social anxiety disorder begin in childhood and remain till the end of life if left untreated.Â
Symptoms of Social Anxiety DisorderÂ
- Feeling confused when in a gatheringÂ
- Lightheadedness or dizzinessÂ
- Shortness of breathÂ
- Digestive issues and nauseaÂ
- Sweating and tremblingÂ
- Irregular heartbeatÂ
- Flushed complexionÂ
Treatment Options for Social Anxiety DisorderÂ
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Â
- Antidepressants for stress managementÂ
- Benzodiazepines for restlessnessÂ
- Beta-blockers for panic symptomsÂ
- Natural herbs like valerian, kava, passionflower, and cannabidiolÂ
- Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapyÂ
Apart from the ones mentioned above, delusional disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and many others are becoming common by the day. It is sad and alarming at the same time. In a nutshell, mental health needs to be prioritized. Think about it!