Mental health issues are common.
Experts estimate that one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
There are many different types of mental illnesses that range in severity.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
These disorders can potentially lead to serious medical consequences.
Unlike people with bulimia nervosa, they don’t purge after a binge.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorderscover a variety of depressive and bipolar disorders.
While everyone feels sad or depressed from time to time, a mood disorder is different.
Mood disorders are very intense and persistent, and they significantly affect everyday life.
People with a personality disorder might not realize they have a mental illness.
Psychotic disorders can cause great distress and functional challenges in everyday life.
Schizophreniform Disorder
Inschizophreniform disorder, schizophrenia episodes last longer than one month but less than six months.
Brief Psychotic Disorder
Brief psychotic disorder describes a short-term episode of psychosis lasting less than one month.
Certain prescription medications may also have psychosis as a side effect.
How Is Mental Illness Diagnosed?
For example, a doctor may order bloodwork to rule out anemia or thyroid problems beforediagnosing persistent depressive disorder.
These include:
How Is Mental Illness Treated?
Treatment options depend on the specific mental illness and the throw in and severity of symptoms.
In some cases, psychotherapy alone is effective.
Medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and anti-psychotics are also very useful.
Often a combination of therapy and medication is used.
Dial988for theSuicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in mental distress.
Most mental health disorders can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both.
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