The Three Most Common Mental Health Conditions: Signs and Symptoms You Need to Know

Mental health issues are very widespread, often more than people realize. These conditions affect individuals across every age group, background and lifestyle. While emotional struggles are a part of life, certain conditions can become clinical disorder when symptoms tend to persist, intensify, or interfere with daily life. Understanding these mental health disorders can greatly help with destigmatization, and can empower people to recognize when they, or someone they love, may need support. These conditions are legitimate health concerns, and never reflect individual failure or weakness. As well, the conditions are very treatable, and everyone who suffers should seek support. In this post, I wanted to discuss the three most common mental health conditions, and hopefully help afflicted readers recognize their condition, and seek assistance.

Depression is defined as a mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness or a loss of interest in activities, significantly affecting how you think, feel, and act. Other signs include changes in sleep and appetite, constant fatigue, or feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Depression can also bring physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive issues, and trouble focusing. Depression can greatly impact daily functions and relationships. The constant fatigue can make daily tasks and interaction feel like a monumental task. Depression often goes unnoticed, as the symptoms can appear gradually. This slow onset can make it very difficult to catch, and many people can misinterpret the change as stress, overwork, or a normal part of life. Luckily, depression has a multitude of therapeutic and medicinal treatments.

Anxiety disorders cover a wider range of disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety. Anxiety disorders can host a multitude of emotional and physical symptoms. These include persistent worry, restlessness, irritability, and trouble sleeping, along with increased heart rate, sweating, trembling and shortness of breath. Anxiety can effect daily decision making, concentration and overall well-being. It can also often lead to social isolation, straining relationships with friends, family and colleagues. Anxiety can also harm cognitive ability, negatively effecting concentration, memory and decision making. It is common for people to believe that anxiety is not a big deal, blaming it on simply on stress in their lives. However, this is not the case. Anxiety is much more intense than simple life stress, but, luckily, can be easily treated and medicated.

Substance-use disorders are characterized by harmful, compulsive, and problematic use of alcohol and other harmful drugs. Substance-use disorders can be hard to see, but there are a few telling signs. These include anxiety and paranoia, lack of motivation, unexplainable bursts of energy, sudden mood swings and unexplained change in personality or attitude. Substance abuse is an incredibly harmful habit, and is also a difficult cycle to break. People who use substances to cope with emotional or physical distress can create an unhealthy relationship with the substance. This cycle of dependance and worsening addiction makes it incredibly difficult for one to simply quit, and many people will relapse two or three times before they receive real support. Luckily substance abuse can be treated and often cured. There are many hospitals and rehab centers to assist with the process of detoxification.

Now, as a final note, I want to stress that all of these conditions are treatable. If you suspect that someone you know may be struggling, make sure to talk to them and inform them on the variety of treatments available. A lack of education is the leading factor in preventing people from receiving the help they need. If you read these symptoms, and believe that you may suffer from one of the conditions, please know that you are not alone. Everyone deserves the help they need, and Your Mind Matters has ample resources to help. Please, if you believe someone is suffering, whether that be a friend, family member, or even yourself, don't hesitate to use our resources. Make an appointment with one of our councilors, or join a group if you just want to talk. Don't go at your struggles alone, and never be afraid to look for help.