A-Z of All Mental Health Conditions

There are many different mental health conditions that exist. Due to how complex and multifaceted the human mind is, it is inevitable that so many different types of mental health conditions exist.

There are general classes of mental health conditions, such as Depression and Anxiety. Then, within these classes there are individual conditions. It is useful for any patient to know the exact type of condition they have.

In this article, all of the various types of mental health conditions are listed in alphabetical order. There is some overlap in these conditions, and sometimes a person won’t suffer from just one condition.

List of Different Types of Mental Health Conditions

Acute Stress Disorder: Acute Stress Disorder is an anxiety-based condition that can develop after an individual either witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. The condition shares many similarities with PTSD, with symptoms like flashbacks, withdrawal and nightmares common. However, Acute Stress Disorder is time-bound, and only relates to the first month after a traumatic event. If feelings persist for over a month, then an individual will normally be diagnosed with PTSD.

Adjustment Disorder: Adjustment Disorder is an anxiety-based condition that occurs when an individual is unable to adjust to or cope with a specific, identifiable stressor. The way someone reacts to this stressor is seen as abnormal, and more severe than what would normally be expected. However, this disruption will not exceed six months, for Adjustment Disorder to be diagnosed. The condition can cause significant distress in the aftermath of the stressor.

Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia is a common phobia that is associated with anxiety. Agoraphobia describes the fear of being in a situation where escape might be difficult. Agoraphobia is an example of a complex phobia – which has a marked effect on the life of an individual. They may struggle to leave their home, and is often linked to panic attacks.

Anorexia Nervosa: This condition involves an individual attempting to keep their weight as low as possible – normally by not eating enough food, or excessively exercising. The person may have intense self-esteem issues, distorted body image, and will commonly have a strong fear of obesity. As a result of trying to keep their weight as low as possible, they may develop ill health. Feelings of depression and anxiety are common.

Antisocial Personality Disorder: Antisocial Personality Disorder is a condition that involves an overall disregard for others. Someone with this disorder may be manipulative, violate the rights of others, showcase an alarming lack of empathy, and will normally act without thinking of potential consequences. Those around them may merely be seen as pawns.

Atypical Depression: Atypical Depression involves an individual suffering from persistent feelings of depression for long periods of time. However, a positive event taking place will lead to a temporary improvement in mood for the individual. While someone suffering from other forms of Depression typically will find little enjoyment in formerly enjoyable activities, someone who has Atypical Depression will find temporary happiness from positive event. Other symptoms include an increased appetite, being oversensitive to criticism, and the need to sleep longer.

Avoidant Personality Disorder: Avoidant Personality Disorder is a condition characterised by overwhelming feelings of anxiety, a fear of rejection from others, and poor self-esteem. A person with this condition may also be very sensitive to criticism from others – owing to their pervasive need for acceptance from others.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder involves an individual feeling the need to avoid food (avoidance), or certain foods (restrictive). The idea of eating can lead to feelings of anxiety. This pattern of food intake will lead to significant weight loss, poor functioning and nutritional deficiency. But unlike Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa, someone with this condition will not be concerned about their weight or body image. This disorder often runs alongside another mental health condition.

Binge-Eating Disorder: A Binge-Eating Disorder involves an individual regularly losing control of their eating – normally evidenced by episodes of significant consumption of food until an individual feels uncomfortably full. In the aftermath of these episodes, feelings of guilt and low mood are common. These episodes are not accompanied by purging – where a person tries to make themselves sick. During the episode however, a person will often feel that they cannot stop themselves from eating. These activities puts an individual at risk of developing poor health.

Bipolar I Disorder: This is the most well-known form of Bipolar Disorder – characterised by periods of mania and normally, depression. Mood swings are therefore extreme, and cause significant distress in life. Suicidal ideation during the depressive phase and psychosis during the manic phase is possible.

Bipolar II Disorder: This form of Bipolar Disorder applies to those who have encountered at least one episode of severe depression, while exhibiting symptoms of hypomania, as opposed to mania. Mood swings are still extreme, and this form of the condition also causes significant distress.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Also known as Body Dysmorphia, this condition is characterised by an individual having intense worries about supposed faults in their appearance. While said faults aren’t normally noticeable to others, they will cause extreme distress to the patient. The individual will commonly go to great measures to try and rectify the apparent problem.

Borderline Personality Disorder (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder): This is the most well-known personality disorder – being characterised by intense mood swings, unstable relationships and unpredictable behaviour. Someone with this disorder will often fluctuate rapidly between loving or hating someone, or even themselves. They may feel paranoid or depressed. An individual may self-harm due to their impulsive behaviour.

Brief Psychotic Disorder: Brief Psychotic Disorder is a condition characterised by a short-term episode of psychosis, which, following the conclusion of the episode, will see the individual involved return to their normal level of functioning. It is a rare condition, but can cause distress. In many cases, it will be the first sign of a more severe psychotic disorder, but it can also be a one-off experience.

Bulimia Nervosa: Bulimia is characterised by recurrent episodes of an individual losing control over food intake. At first, a person will eat a high amount of food in a short amount of time (binging), before being deliberately sick, or using laxatives to get rid of what they have eaten (purging). To ensure that they don’t gain weight, they may starve themselves between binges. Feelings of depression and anxiety are common. This behaviour puts an individual at risk of poor health.

Clinical Depression (Also Known as Major Depressive Disorder): This is the most common form of Depression. This is where an individual will feel depressed for the majority of a day, for at least a few consecutive weeks. Typical symptoms include the loss of interest and pleasure in normally enjoyable activities, sleep problems, tiredness, and sometimes suicidal ideation.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Complex PTSD): This form of PTSD is linked to people who have experienced ongoing trauma, as opposed to one singular traumatic event. Their trauma has lasted for an extended time period. Symptoms are similar, with disturbed thoughts or feelings common, as are flashbacks and nightmares. Losing trust in others is a normal reaction for someone with Complex PTSD – which is very difficult to live with.

Conversion Disorder: Conversion Disorder (also known as Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder) is a condition that involves physical symptoms resembling a nervous system disorder developing. However, no nervous system disorder is present. The pain thus appears as a result of somatisation – with emotional pain being expressed as physical symptoms. Typical symptoms include paralysis, blindness, numbness or convulsions.

Cyclothymia: While viewed as a somewhat milder form of Bipolar Disorder, Cyclothymia is still a serious condition which can have a significant impact on the life of an individual. An individual with Cyclothymia will often have experienced both hypomanic and depressed mood states, but their symptoms aren’t severe enough to be diagnosed with either Bipolar I or Bipolar II. Cyclothymia will sometimes develop into Bipolar Disorder.

Delusional Disorder: This condition involves an individual having one or more delusions that are present for at least a few weeks. The person will have irrational beliefs, and be steadfast in their belief of the delusion. However, they will not exhibit any other form of psychosis, such as hallucinations. It is a rare disorder, but is sometimes seen.

Dependent Personality Disorder: Someone with Dependent Personality Disorder will have a pervasive need to be cared for by other people. Typical symptoms include not making decisions, an overriding fear of abandonment, need for reassurance and immaturity. The person may have poor self-esteem – seeing themselves as a weak individual.

Depersonalisation Disorder (Also known as Derealisation Disorder): Depersonalisation Disorder is the condition where an individual will undergo a period of detachment from either themselves, or their surrounding. The individual may lose sensation of what is happening around them, sometimes believing things around them aren’t real. They may feel they are outside their own body.

Dissociative Amnesia: Dissociative Amnesia involves an individual having gaps in their memory – often leading to them forgetting information about themselves, or a skill that they have learned. It is possible for someone to be somewhere without knowing how or why they got there. This is the most common dissociative disorder, and is often caused by a traumatic event.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (Also Known as Multiple Personality Disorder): Dissociative Identity Disorder is characterised by an individual being uncertain about their identity. They will often exhibit other identities – which may have their own name, behaviours and personal history. Gaps in memory will often exist, often as a result of a traumatic event.

Dysthymia (Also Known as Persistent Depressive Disorder): If a patient’s feelings of depression lasts for 2 years or longer, it is referred to as Dysthymia, or Persistent Depressive Disorder. The symptoms of Dysthymia are the same as Clinical depression – but the difference lies in how a Dysthymia sufferer will have persistent depression – while someone with Clinical depression will often have bouts of regular mood between depressive episodes. People with Dysthymia will often suggest they have never been happy, and that they cannot remember a time where they haven’t been depressed.

Excoriation Disorder: Excoriation Disorder is characterised by a person having an irresistible urge to pick their own skin. This intense urge will be accompanied by an intense feeling of tension until the individual completes the act. A temporary feeling of relief will normally ensue, although this doesn’t last for long, and so the cycle continues. An individual puts themselves at acute risk of health problems due to their skin picking.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy): Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another is a mental health disorder that is characterised by a person acting as if someone in their care has a physical or mental illness. Someone with this condition will fabricate an illness in those under their care – typically a child.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen’s Syndrome): Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self is a mental health condition which involves a person acting like they have a physical or mental illness. The person actively feigns their symptoms and will often hurt themselves to cause the symptoms.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): The most common type of anxiety, this disorder encompasses a broad range of symptoms. In general, the symptoms include regular and intense worries about many different areas in life. This is a difficult condition to live with, and can lead to a marked change in behaviour, with avoidance a common response.

Histrionic Personality Disorder: Histrionic Personality Disorder is characterised by a pattern of attention-seeking behaviour. Someone with this disorder may see the world as their stage, and showcase excessive emotions. They may take particular care in how they look. They may dress in a promiscuous fashion, and act overtly seductive. They may struggle with relationships due to their symptoms.

Hoarding Disorder: This is a condition that is closely related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is characterised by an individual struggling to discard possessions, often causing them to excessively hoard items. This often leads to an unhealthy living environment, and often becomes a fire hazard. It also commonly affects an individual’s social life.

Illness Anxiety Disorder: Illness Anxiety Disorder is a condition characterised by an individual excessively worrying about having a serious illness. The person will typically believe any symptoms, however minor, are a sign of a serious illness. Even after a Doctor has told the person that no illness is present, they persist in their belief. Someone with this disorder will often see their worrying take over their life. Their high level of anxiety causes significant impairment in multiple contexts.

Mixed Affective Bipolar: Sometimes referred to as Mixed Affective State, this form of Bipolar Disorder sees an individual experience symptoms of both mania and depression simultaneously. This causes substantial distress for an individual. Suicidal behaviour is seen as a risk of this condition – due to the toxic mix of low mood and impulsive behaviour occurring together.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Someone with this disorder will normally see themselves as superior to others, and believe they should receive special treatment. They will require admiration and acceptance from others. They will lack empathy, and have little regard for the feelings of others. They will often manipulate or take advantage of others for their personal gain.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): This is a debilitating condition that involves an individual having regular obsessions and compulsions. The individual involved will have repetitive thoughts, behaviours or urges. Unfortunately, OCD is a very, very misunderstood condition. It is a very difficult condition to live with, and can disrupt an individual’s life significantly.

Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (Anankastic Personality Disorder): An individual with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder will show a rigid conformity to rules, an innate need for perfectionism, and a need to control circumstances and events. The person will always try to follow set rules. Their preoccupation with rules and perfectionism will often lead to significant impairment in social activities. In instances where they lack control, they will exhibit considerable anxiety. They may also be judgemental, while also being sensitive to criticism.

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder: This condition is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder. This is diagnosed when the symptoms of an individual don’t fit into those of other eating disorders. For instance, someone in this category may starve themselves, like someone with anorexia nervosa would, only to be in the normal range of weight, as opposed to being underweight. This condition is no less serious than other eating disorders.

Panic Disorder: This type of anxiety affects individuals who have regular panic attacks – often without a cause. Panic attacks are very distressing events to go through, and sometimes the fear of having a panic attack only acts to deepen the anxiety of an individual. Understandably, this is a very difficult condition to live with.

Paranoid Personality Disorder: Paranoid Personality disorder is characterised by feelings of paranoia – especially towards others – hypervigilance and a general mistrust of others. An individual with this disorder may find their paranoia has a marked effect on their life. In the vast majority of cases, their suspicions are irrational. They often find it difficult to form meaningful friendships.

Phobias: A phobia is a form of anxiety that involves an intense fear that is triggered by either an object or situation. There is no shortage of phobias, with Claustrophobia among the most well-known. Agoraphobia is a well-known condition which people with Anxiety regularly suffer from. Phobias can stop an individual from living their normal day-to-day life.

Pica: Pica refers to the condition where an individual persistently eats non-food material. Typical materials eaten include chalk, ice, metal, or sponges. This can cause serious health issues, including impairment in physical development if conducted during childhood or puberty. Pica is often associated with other mental health conditions.

Postpartum Depression (Also Known as Peripartum Depression or Postnatal Depression): Unlike the majority of other types of Depression, there is a clear cause of Postpartum depression. Women who have given birth, only to develop depressive symptoms in the subsequent weeks, will normally be diagnosed with Postpartum Depression. Equally, men can also suffer from Postpartum Depression. The symptoms in both cases are the same as Clinical Depression, only this illness can only come after the birth of a child – usually within a year of birth.

Postpartum Psychosis: Postpartum Psychosis is a serious condition that affects someone soon after they have given birth. The condition involves the mother showing signs of psychosis, and is a medical emergency. Treatment is available, with the focus being on ensuring the safety of the mother, their child, and the wider family.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This is an anxiety-based condition that can develop after a person either witnesses or experiences a traumatic event. The person will often relive the trauma through disturbing thoughts or feelings, flashbacks or nightmares. The individual may withdraw from others and avoid visiting certain places. Due to the symptoms, PTSD is a very difficult condition to cope with.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Depression (PMDD): This type of Depression involves women who have symptoms of depression at the start of their period. The regular depressive symptoms will normally be accompanied by fatigue, irritability and mood swings. These symptoms however will generally disappear within a few days. However, they will return at the start of the next month, and so the cycle goes on. This can be an ongoing cycle which can last for a considerable length of time, and typically causes functional impairment in many different contexts.

Primarily Obsessional OCD (Pure O): This condition is commonly seen as a subtype of OCD. An individual with this condition will have many obsessions, but few subsequent compulsions. Typical symptoms include excessive rumination, intense intrusive thoughts and a fear of possible actions. There are a range of different intrusive thoughts that may be involved.

Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions: This condition is diagnosed when an individual’s behaviour, attitude or actions have a negative impact on a medical health disorder that the individual has. For instance, someone may ignore a treatment plan, refuse to undergo tests, or dismiss any symptoms as not being present. Someone with this disorder will risk exacerbating their illness, and risks permanent injury or even death. Anxiety and stress are common factors involved.

Psychotic Depression: Psychotic depression can be a very difficult illness to live with, as it involves all of the symptoms of Clinical depression, along with some symptoms of psychosis. The most common forms of psychosis that would accompany depressive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions or paranoia. This disorder has many similarities with Schizophrenia, though someone suffering from Psychotic depression will typically know their psychotic episodes are not real – while those with Schizophrenia are steadfast in their belief that their symptoms are true.

Rapid Cycling Bipolar: This form of Bipolar Disorder is characterised by an individual experiencing four or more depressive, manic, hypomanic or mixed episodes within the space of 12 months. Mood can change rapidly – potentially even on the same day. As a result of the symptoms, this form of Bipolar can cause significant distress.

Rumination Disorder: This condition is characterised by an individual repeatedly regurgitating their food after eating. After regurgitating their food, they may swallow the food again, or spit out the food. There is no physical health problem that causes an individual to do this. Rumination Disorder often runs alongside other mental health conditions. This is not the same as rumination.

Schizoaffective Disorder: Schizoaffective Disorder is severe mental health condition which involves both symptoms of Schizophrenia, along with symptoms associated with a mood disorder, like Depression or the Mania stage of Bipolar Disorder. Symptoms can therefore include hallucinations, delusions, low mood and mania among others. Someone with Schizoaffective Disorder will often have lost touch with reality. Treatment normally involves some form of talking therapy and medication.

Schizoid Personality Disorder: This disorder is characterised by a lack of interest and detachment from social relationships. A Schizoid individual will often be seen as a “loner”. Other symptoms include a lack of drive or motivation in life, and a lack of emotion throughout multiple contexts. They commonly exhibit a rich fantasy world.

Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a severe and long-term mental health condition characterised by a range of symptoms, normally revolving around a difficulty in understanding reality, due to changes in the way someone thinks, feels and acts. The condition usually involves a breakdown in the connection between thoughts, emotions and behaviour – leading to psychotic symptoms. While the exact symptoms range from case to case, generally delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, catatonia, poor concentration and a lack of interest may be displayed. With the right treatment, support and lifestyle, it is possible for symptoms to be controlled more.

Schizophreniform Disorder: This disorder features identical symptoms to Schizophrenia, however these symptoms will not have caused distress for most days in a month, as seen with other Schizophrenia types. For instance, symptoms may have been present for a few weeks, but not caused much functional impairment. Around two-thirds of people with Schizophreniform Disorder go on to develop Schizophrenia. Treatment involves a form of talking therapy and medication.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder: Someone with Schizotypal Personality Disorder will exhibit a range of eccentric and bizarre behaviours, such as peculiar mannerisms, abnormal beliefs, and will struggle to interact socially. They may be seen as being unusual or strange. Someone with this disorder may lose touch with reality, or later go on to develop Schizophrenia.

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Seasonal Affective Disorder is another form of depression, although this disorder usually takes place during the winter months. Unlike other forms of depression, this disorder is limited to lasting the winter months, with shorter days and less sunlight leading to depressed moods for some individuals. By the time winter has gone, the disorder normally goes away, with Spring and Summer resulting in a reduction in symptoms.

Selective Mutism: Selective Mutism is a severe anxiety disorder which is characterised by an individual being unable to speak in certain social situations. While predominantly seen in children, the disorder can persist into adulthood. The individual affected literally cannot speak in some situations, it isn’t out of choice. They will be able to speak regularly to some people, such as close family or friends.

Shared Psychotic Disorder: Shared Psychotic Disorder is a rare, yet serious condition that involves an individual imposing a delusional belief onto someone else. The person who initially has a delusion will typically have a close relationship with the affected individual – who will begin to follow the same delusion. It is often seen in cases where a couple are socially isolated.

Social Anxiety Disorder: This form of anxiety is applicable when an individual becomes overwhelmingly anxious in social situations. Someone with Social Anxiety Disorder may dread any sort of social situation, making life complicated. Social anxiety disorder is a difficult condition to live with, though treatment is available.

Somatic Symptom Disorder: Somatic Symptom Disorder is a condition that involves bodily symptoms such as pain and fatigue. These symptoms however aren’t traceable to a physical cause, and are not attributable to a general health condition. Yet the pain is present, and causes significant distress – leading to functional impairment. This disorder often runs comorbidly with an Anxiety disorder.

Substance-Induced Disorder: A Substance-Induced disorder refers to the immediate effects of substance use, such as intoxication and delirium, along with the immediate effects of discontinuing a substance, namely withdrawal. This area is also concerned with the resulting symptoms of both use and discontinuation – especially in relation to the possible mood disorder or psychotic symptoms that may develop. Treatment for Substance-Induced Disorders will vary, dependent on the symptoms present. There are considered to be nine Substance-Induced Disorders.

Substance Use Disorder: A Substance Use Disorder involves the negative effects caused by long-term or continued use of a substance. Disorders can become more severe as time progresses, with an individual typically become addicted. Substance Use Disorders are also associated with abuse and dependence. Substance Dependence concerns the state that develops following repeated administration of a drug. Substance Abuse refers to the use of a drug in a way that results in harm to the individual consuming it. Typically, an individual will use the drug either in excessive amounts, or through a method that results in harm to them. A Substance Use Disorder results in impairment in multiple areas – including both physical and psychological effects. Treatment will vary, dependent on circumstance and presenting symptoms. There are considered to be ten Substance Use Disorders.

Treatment Resistant Depression (Also Known as Refractory Depression): This form of Depression is only diagnosed once treatments to relieve symptoms of depression have failed to yield a suitable response. Depression is treatable, though sometimes regular treatments don’t work. For someone to be diagnosed with this form of depression, they typically will have tried at least two talking therapies, and at least three medications from a minimum of two classes of antidepressants.

Trichotillomania: Trichotillomania is a condition which involves an individual being unable to resist the urge to pull out their hair. An individual may feel an intense urge to pull out hair, and experience a forceful build-up of tension until they complete the action. After pulling out their hair, an individual may feel a sense of relief – though this is only temporary. Overall, this is a very similar condition to OCD, only that it is limited to hair pulling.

Summary

It is important to remember that at the end of the day, a mental health condition is just giving you a label. But what is important is the treatment that a person receives.

The aim is always for a total recovery to be made. In the case where this isn’t possible, the aim is for treatment to at least improve the life of the patient, and improve their mental wellbeing.

See Also

• Everything You Need to Know About Mental Health Conditions: Types, Causes, Treatments and More
• Everything You Need To Know About Mental Health Medicine
• Everything You Need To Know About Talking Therapy