A Comprehensive Overview

Mental health disorders affect how people think, feel, behave, and relate to others. They range in severity, presentation, and impact, and no two individuals experience them in the same way. Understanding the broad landscape of mental health conditions can reduce stigma, promote awareness, and help people recognize when support may be beneficial.

This guide provides an overview of commonly recognized mental health disorders. It is not meant to replace professional diagnosis, but rather to offer clarity and education.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear, worry, or nervous system activation that interferes with daily life.

Common anxiety disorders include

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Specific Phobias
• Agoraphobia
• Separation Anxiety Disorder
• Selective Mutism

Depressive Disorders

Depressive disorders are characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, and emotional or physical symptoms that affect functioning.

Common depressive disorders include

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Depression related to medical conditions or substance use

Bipolar and Related Disorders

These disorders involve shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that range from depressive states to elevated or irritable mood states.

Common bipolar related disorders include

• Bipolar I Disorder
• Bipolar II Disorder
• Cyclothymic Disorder
• Other specified bipolar disorders

Trauma and Stress Related Disorders

These disorders develop following exposure to traumatic or highly stressful experiences.

Common trauma related disorders include

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Adjustment Disorders
• Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders

These disorders involve intrusive thoughts, urges, or images and repetitive behaviors or mental acts.

Common obsessive compulsive related disorders include

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
• Hoarding Disorder
• Trichotillomania
• Excoriation Disorder

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders typically begin in childhood and affect learning, behavior, and social functioning.

Common neurodevelopmental disorders include

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Specific Learning Disorders
• Intellectual Developmental Disorder
• Communication Disorders
• Motor Disorders including Tourette Syndrome

Psychotic Disorders

Psychotic disorders involve disruptions in thinking, perception, and awareness of reality.

Common psychotic disorders include

• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Schizophreniform Disorder
• Delusional Disorder
• Brief Psychotic Disorder

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders involve disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.

Common eating disorders include

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
• Other specified feeding or eating disorders

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders involve long standing patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that differ from cultural expectations and cause distress or impairment.

Personality disorders are grouped into clusters

Cluster A

• Paranoid Personality Disorder
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Cluster B

• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Histrionic Personality Disorder

Cluster C

• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Dissociative Disorders

These disorders involve disruptions in memory, identity, awareness, or perception.

Common dissociative disorders include

• Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Dissociative Amnesia
• Depersonalization Derealization Disorder

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

These disorders focus on physical symptoms that cause distress and are linked to psychological factors.

Common somatic related disorders include

• Somatic Symptom Disorder
• Illness Anxiety Disorder
• Conversion Disorder
• Factitious Disorder

Substance Related and Addictive Disorders

These disorders involve problematic use of substances or behaviours despite harmful consequences.

Common substance related disorders include

• Alcohol Use Disorder
• Opioid Use Disorder
• Stimulant Use Disorder
• Cannabis Use Disorder
• Sedative or Anxiolytic Use Disorder
• Gambling Disorder

Sleep Wake Disorders

Sleep disorders affect the quality, timing, and duration of sleep.

Common sleep related disorders include

• Insomnia Disorder
• Hypersomnolence Disorder
• Narcolepsy
• Sleep Apnea related disorders
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep Wake Disorders
• Parasomnias

A Final Note on Diagnosis and Support

Mental health disorders exist on a spectrum, and many people experience symptoms that overlap across categories. A professional assessment can help clarify diagnosis, guide treatment, and provide validation and understanding.

Seeking support is not about labeling. It is about gaining insight, relief, and tools for improved well being. If you or someone you care about is struggling, help is available and recovery is possible.