5 Mental Health Disorders that are Becoming Common by the Day

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.  

Generalized Anxiety Disorder  

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.  

Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder  

• Persistence restlessness and negative thoughts 
• Shortness of breath  
• Excessive sweating and dry mouth  
• Shaking or trembling  
• Body aches and sore muscles  
• Palpitations  
• Fatigue and dizziness  

Treatment Options for Generalized Anxiety Disorder  

• Antidepressants, including SNRIs and SSRIs  
• Benzodiazepines for short-term use  
• Anti-anxiety medicines for long-term use  
• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) 
• Medical marijuana strains like purple space cookies and lemon haze  
• Breathing exercises for immediate relief 

Major Depressive Disorder  

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.  

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.  

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder 

• Persistent feelings of sadness and emptiness  
• Loss of interest in everyday life activities 
• Irritability and anger outbursts  
• Hopelessness and pessimism  
• Loss of appetite or overeating  
• Insomnia or sleeping too much  
• Body aches, especially headaches that won’t go away with OTC painkillers  
• Suicidal thoughts or possible attempts 

Treatment Options for Major Depressive Disorder  

• Antidepressants 
• Antipsychotics in case of hallucinations or delusions  
• Sleep-inducing pills for insomnia  
• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) 
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) 
• Natural herbs and plants, including medical marijuana strains or certain essential oils 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  

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.  

Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  

• Loss of concentration and confusion  
• Hypervigilance in some cases 
• Aggressive or irritable behavior  
• Lack of sleep or hypersomnia  
• Restlessness when reminded of the incident  
• Night sweats and flashbacks of the traumatic event  
• Startling and jumping to conclusions  
• Social awkwardness  

Treatment Options for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  

• Anti-anxiety medicines for restlessness  
• Tranquilizers for insomnia  
• Antidepressants for stress relief  
• Stress inoculation training  
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing  
• Prolonged exposure therapy  
• Cognitive process therapy (CPT) 

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. 

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder 

• Hyperactive and abnormally wired 
• Increased energy and irritability (manic and hypo-manic episode) 
• Poor decision-making skills 
• Racing thoughts 
• Unusual talkativeness (manic episode) 
• Decreased need for sleep 
• Loss of energy or fatigue (major depressive episode) 
• Loss of interest in everyday life activities 
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts 

Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder 

• Antidepressants in case of major depressive episode 
• Antipsychotics in case of manic and hypo-manic episode 
• Anti-anxiety medications to ease restlessness 
• Mood stabilizers 
• Natural stress-relieving methods like meditation or yoga 
• Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and varied diet 
• Cognitive behavior therapy

Social Anxiety Disorder 

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. 

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder 

• Feeling confused when in a gathering 
• Lightheadedness or dizziness 
• Shortness of breath 
• Digestive issues and nausea 
• Sweating and trembling 
• Irregular heartbeat 
• Flushed complexion 

Treatment Options for Social Anxiety Disorder 

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 
• Antidepressants for stress management 
• Benzodiazepines for restlessness 
• Beta-blockers for panic symptoms 
• Natural herbs like valerian, kava, passionflower, and cannabidiol 
• Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy 

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!