Featured post

Thinning Hair? Discover the Best Shampoo for Women’s Hair Loss

on
0

The Full List of All Mental Health Disorders — And How to Spot the Signs

on

 

list of all mental health disorders

Let’s be honest—mental health can feel like a complicated, even overwhelming topic. There are so many terms out there: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD… the list goes on. And if you’ve ever tried to understand the full picture, you might have found yourself wondering, “Is there a clear list of all mental health disorders somewhere?”

The short answer? Yes, there is—but like everything in life, it’s not black and white.

Mental health disorders come in many forms. Some are well-known, others are less talked about. Some affect your mood, others impact how you think, behave, or relate to people. But no matter what, understanding these disorders is the first step toward breaking the stigma, supporting others, or seeking help for yourself.

In this article, we’ll walk through a list of all mental health disorders, explained in a simple, engaging way—because mental health should never be confusing or intimidating to talk about.

What Are Mental Health Disorders?

Before we dive into the list, let’s get clear on what we mean.

Mental health disorders, also called mental illnesses, are conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. They can disrupt daily life, relationships, and work. But with the right support and treatment, many people live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Mental health disorders vary in severity. Some may be temporary and mild, while others are chronic and require ongoing management. Importantly, they are real medical conditions, not signs of weakness or personal failure.

The Complete List of All Mental Health Disorders

Below is a categorized breakdown of the most recognized mental health disorders, based on major diagnostic resources like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

1. Anxiety Disorders

These disorders involve excessive fear, worry, or anxiety that interferes with daily life.

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic Disorder
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
  • Specific Phobias (e.g., fear of heights, animals)
  • Agoraphobia
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder
  • Selective Mutism

2. Depressive Disorders

Characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, or hopelessness.

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (in children)

3. Bipolar and Related Disorders

These involve mood swings that range from depressive lows to manic or hypomanic highs.

  • Bipolar I Disorder
  • Bipolar II Disorder
  • Cyclothymic Disorder
  • Other Specified Bipolar and Related Disorders

4. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

These disorders are marked by intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors.

  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Body Dysmorphic Disorder
  • Hoarding Disorder
  • Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)
  • Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder

5. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

These are linked to experiencing or witnessing traumatic or stressful events.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Acute Stress Disorder
  • Adjustment Disorders
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder (in children)
  • Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (in children)

6. Dissociative Disorders

Involve disconnection from reality, memory, identity, or consciousness.

  • Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder)
  • Dissociative Amnesia
  • Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

7. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Physical symptoms without a clear medical cause, often linked to emotional distress.

  • Somatic Symptom Disorder
  • Illness Anxiety Disorder (formerly Hypochondriasis)
  • Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
  • Factitious Disorder

8. Feeding and Eating Disorders

Serious conditions related to eating behaviors and body image.

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Binge-Eating Disorder
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Pica (eating non-food items)
  • Rumination Disorder

9. Elimination Disorders

Typically diagnosed in childhood, involving inappropriate elimination of urine or feces.

  • Enuresis (bedwetting)
  • Encopresis (involuntary defecation)

10. Sleep-Wake Disorders

Sleep problems that affect mental health and daily functioning.

  • Insomnia Disorder
  • Hypersomnolence Disorder (excessive sleepiness)
  • Narcolepsy
  • Breathing-Related Sleep Disorders (e.g., sleep apnea)
  • Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
  • Parasomnias (e.g., sleepwalking, nightmares)

11. Sexual Dysfunctions

Conditions that interfere with sexual desire, performance, or satisfaction.

  • Erectile Disorder
  • Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
  • Premature (Early) Ejaculation
  • Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
  • Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

12. Gender Dysphoria

Distress linked to a disconnect between a person's experienced gender and their assigned gender at birth.

13. Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

Involve difficulty controlling emotions or behaviors.

  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
  • Conduct Disorder
  • Pyromania (fire-setting)
  • Kleptomania (compulsive stealing)

14. Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

Addiction to substances or behaviors that negatively impact life.

  • Alcohol Use Disorder
  • Cannabis Use Disorder
  • Stimulant Use Disorder
  • Opioid Use Disorder
  • Gambling Disorder
  • Other Substance-Related Disorders

15. Neurocognitive Disorders

Conditions affecting memory, attention, perception, or problem-solving.

  • Delirium
  • Major Neurocognitive Disorder (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease)
  • Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

16. Personality Disorders

Long-term patterns of thinking and behaving that cause distress or dysfunction.

  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder
  • Avoidant Personality Disorder
  • Dependent Personality Disorder
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (different from OCD)
  • Schizoid Personality Disorder
  • Schizotypal Personality Disorder
  • Paranoid Personality Disorder

17. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Involve distorted thinking, perception, or loss of contact with reality.

  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Brief Psychotic Disorder
  • Delusional Disorder
  • Schizophreniform Disorder

18. Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Typically diagnosed in childhood, affecting development and behavior.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Communication Disorders
  • Specific Learning Disorders
  • Motor Disorders (e.g., Tourette’s Disorder)

Understanding Mental Health Is a Step Toward Compassion

That was a lot, right? But don’t worry—this isn’t about memorizing every single term. It’s about creating awareness and understanding that mental health comes in many forms. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a story, and often, a struggle we may not see.

The more we educate ourselves, the more we can break the stigma, support those around us, and recognize when we might need help ourselves.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health, know that help is available. Therapy, counseling, medication, peer support—there are resources, and there is hope.


Comments

Post a Comment