Mental Disorders
What is a Mental Disorder?
Mental Disorders (or mental illnesses) are conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. It’s estimated that 1 in every 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder.
There are many different types of mental disorders.
Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders
Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
Anxiety disorders including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias
What are personality disorders?
Personality disorders involve long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are different from what is considered normal in your culture. The thoughts and behaviors are unhealthy and inflexible. They cause serious problems with relationships, work, and social activities. They can make it hard to deal with everyday stresses and problems. They may have trouble realizing that they have a problem. To them, their thoughts are normal. They may see others as the problem and will not seek help when they need it.
The 10 types of personality disorders
Cluster A personality disorders involve unusual and odd thoughts and behaviors. It includes:
Paranoid personality disorder, in which a person has paranoia (an extreme fear and distrust of others). They may think that someone is trying to harm them.
Schizoid personality disorder, in which a person prefers to be alone and is not interested in having relationships with others.
Schizotypal personality disorder, in which a person has unusual thoughts and ways of behaving and speaking. They are uncomfortable having close relationships with others.
Cluster B personality disorders involve dramatic and emotional thoughts and behaviors that can keep changing. It includes:
Antisocial personality disorder, in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others.
Borderline personality disorder, in which a person has lots of trouble managing their emotions. This makes them impulsive and uncertain about how they see themselves. It can cause a lot of trouble in their relationships.
Histrionic personality disorder, in which a person is dramatic, has strong emotions, and always wants attention from others.
Narcissistic personality disorder, in which a person lacks empathy and wants to be admired by others. They think that they are better than others and that they deserve special treatment.
Cluster C personality disorders involve anxious and fearful thoughts and behaviors. It includes:
Avoidant personality disorder, in which a person is very shy and feels that they are not as good as others. They often avoid people because they fear rejection.
Dependent personality disorder, in which a person depends too much on others and feels that they need to be taken care of. They may let others treat them badly because they are afraid of losing the relationship.
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, in which a person needs control and order. They are perfectionists and can be inflexible. Although some of the symptoms are similar, this is not the same thing as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
