Having good mental health is crucial to living a happy and healthy life. Being resilient is important to cope with life’s adversities. However, certain factors can influence your mental health, such as life events and genetics. Understanding the different types of mental illness, their diagnosis, as well as treatment, can help you excel in spite of life’s challenges.
What Are the Different Types of Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a condition affecting a person’s way of thinking, as well as their feelings and behavior. Commonly known mental health disorders are depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. If you have one of these conditions, your ability to relate to other people, and the way you perform at work or school is affected. In extreme cases, mental illness can prevent you from living a normal life. A person’s symptoms and experiences can differ from others with the same diagnosis.
The medical community recognizes over 200 types of mental illness. However, the five major categories include:
- Mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Dementia
- Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
- Eating disorders
Although two persons may have the same condition, remember that the experience still varies for each person. It is also crucial that you understand the stigma that accompanies mental illnesses. People often don’t want to talk about their conditions. However, it is only with proper treatment that you can live a quality life.
How Is One Diagnosed with Mental Illness?
You can determine whether you have a mental illness or related complications through a physical exam, lab tests, or a psychological evaluation. Each of these tests involves a different method to evaluate your condition that includes:
- Physical Examination – The doctor checks your body to rule out physical problems that may be due to symptoms of a mental health condition.
- Lab Tests – These tests may include a screening for drugs and alcohol or a checkup for the possibility of complications.
- Psychological Evaluation – The health professional assesses your symptoms, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
It can be challenging to find out which types of mental illness that cause your symptoms. But if you suspect that you may have one, take the time and effort to get an accurate diagnosis. Doing so is vital in identifying the treatment appropriate for your mental condition. Also, knowing more information about your condition helps you better adjust to how your symptoms affect your life.
Common Treatments Available
Treatment depends on the different types of mental illness, their severity, and your individual circumstances. Most cases usually combine various treatments. If your mental illness is mild with well-controlled symptoms, treatment from a primary care provider is often enough. But for severe disorders, making sure their medical, psychiatric, and social needs are met is critical.
The treatments for mental illness usually include:
Medications
Prescribed medications for mental health disorders don’t cure the conditions, but they improve the symptoms. They also boost other treatments, such as making psychotherapy more effective. Some of the most commonly used psychiatric medications include:
- Antidepressants
- Mood stabilizers
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Antipsychotic drugs
Mental Health Services
One of the best methods for treating mental health disorders is through behavior and talk therapies. Therapists usually use a combination of approaches to find underlying problems and promote healthy coping skills. Therapies include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Family therapy program
- Group therapy program
Lifestyle and Home Treatments
When it comes to battling mental illness, there is only so much that a mental health professional can do. If you really want to get better, start by doing things yourself. Don’t skip your treatment and avoid drugs as well as alcohol. Stay active and healthy. More importantly, determine your priorities and stick to them. Adopting a positive attitude also helps a lot against the challenges of mental illness.
Learn Coping Skills and Get Support
Dealing with mental illness can be a challenge, but coping skills can help. Also, getting support from family, friends, and others with the same experience as yours can lighten the burden.
Different types of mental illness have unique challenges, but with the right rehab center, you can lead a quality, healthy life. For more information on how Midwest Recovery Center can help, contact us today at 833.627.0039.
