Mental disorders:

A mental disorder is often used interchangeably with the terms psychological disorder, psychiatric disorder, or mental illness.

Mental disorders are defined as conditions that create distress and affect a person’s ability to function. These conditions affect how people behave, think, and feel. They can also impact how people are able to function at home, work, school, relationships, and other important life domains.

Symptoms of Mental Disorders

The specific symptoms a person might experience depend on the nature of the mental health condition they are experiencing. Some of the symptoms that a person with a mental disorder might experience include:²

• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in behavior
• Changes in mood
• Changes in sex drive
• Delusions, hallucinations, or other difficulties perceiving reality
• Depression or feelings of sadness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Drug or alcohol use
• Fatigue or low energy
• Irritability
• Loss of interest
• Social withdrawal or isolation
• Trouble concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm

Different Types of Mental Disorders

The DSM-5 describes numerous psychological disorders, as well as disorders that fall under a category of similar or related disorder subtypes. Some of the prominent diagnostic categories include feeding and eating disorders, mood disorders, somatic symptom and related disorders, sleep-wake disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

Some of the most common mental health disorders experienced by people in the United States include:²

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Eating disorders
• Generalized anxiety disorder³
• Major depressive disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Specific phobias
• Substance use disorder