There are many different types of mental health problems, that you may be suffering from. If you have recently been diagnosed with a mental health condition, or you think you may be suffering from a mental health problem, you can find information on the different types and how to get help.
What are mental health problems?
Mental health describes our emotional, psychological and social well-being, so it affects how we think, feel and act. Mental health is important at every stage of a person’s life.
1 in 4 will experience a mental health problems in the UK per year, and range from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia.
What are the different types of mental health problems?
Depression
One of the most common mental health conditions is depression. There are different types of depression, such as seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression. Symptoms can vary, but some people experience suicidal feelings, hopelessness, feeling tired all the time, feeling empty and numb, self-harming, losing interest in things and more.
Anxiety
Anxiety is generally described as feeling worried, tense, or anxious about things that are about to happen or could happen in the future. Anxiety can be a natural human response, and most people may feel anxious at times, however if your anxiety begins to impact your ability to live your life, potentially causing you to avoid situations, feel distress, panic attacks and so on, then you may be suffering from anxiety disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder affect your mood, and you experience manic or hypomanic episodes, depressive episodes, and potentially psychotic symptoms during these episodes. Bipolar is broken down into types and subtypes, usually categorised by how many or how often you experience episodes and changes in episodes.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an anxiety disorder related to body image, and can also be related to obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). People with BDD may suffer from other mental health problems, like the ones aforementioned.
BDD can cause obsessive worrying and compulsive and repetitive behaviours and routines regarding your physical appearance. This can include picking your skin, excessive use of mirrors, particular routines in regard to food and exercising and so on. It can also cause disruption to your everyday life. BDD can also cause feelings of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, OCD, and more.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a type of personality disorder, which is generally categorised by intense feelings and emotions which can last a few hours to a few days, feeling very happy to suddenly feeling very sad, feeling insecure, empty, acting compulsively, self-harming, feeling suicidal, and more. BPD is very different for different people, so symptoms can also vary.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders or poor relationships with food can affect people of any age, gender, weight, or background. An eating disorder is a medical diagnosis based on eating patterns and tests. There are different types of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating, and more. Eating disorders can also be linked to other mental health conditions or impacted by other mental health problems.
Dissociative disorders
Dissociation is when you feel disconnected from yourself and the world around you, such as feeling detached from your body, or that the world around you isn’t real. However, everyone’s experience of dissociation is different. Dissociation can be your mind trying to cope with stress, or trauma. Dissociation can also be a symptom of PTSD, depression, BPD, schizophrenia and so on.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterised by obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are negative or uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, urges, worries, or doubts that are repetitive. Compulsions are repetitive activities to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions, for example, repeatedly checking a door is locked. OCD can cause disruption to your day-to-day life, impact your relationships, cause feelings of anxiety and other mental health conditions.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition related to psychosis, but there are lots of misconceptions about it. You may experience a lack of interest in things, feeling disconnected, difficulty concentrating, wanting to avoid people, hallucinations, hearing voices, delusions, and more.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that affect people after a traumatic event. This condition was first recognised in war veterans. There are different types of PTSD, such as, delayed-onset PTSD, Complex PTSD, and Birth trauma.
Symptoms can include flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and nightmares, intense distress, and physical sensations, such as pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.
How to get help with your mental health?
There are many more mental health conditions, this is not an exhaustive list, so if you think you may be suffering from one of these mental health conditions, or maybe something else it is best to speak to your doctor, or a mental health professional.
If you are in need of emergency help, you are in a crisis, you feel like you might attempt suicide, or your life is at risk, you should:
- Call 999 for an ambulance
- Go to A&E if you can
- Call your local crisis team or urgent mental health helpline
If you need someone to talk to right now, you can contact:
These services are for anyone that is struggling with something. They will not judge you, and they are always open, free and anonymous.