Often referred to as mental disorders or mental illnesses, psychological disorders refer to conditions that alter cognitive processes like feelings, moods, thoughts, and behaviour. Typically, psychological disorders exhibit unusual and abnormal thoughts and actions emanating from developmental, biological, and psychological impairment. Mental disorders result in disturbances that interfere with the quality of life and cause stress. As noted by Barlow (2014), cultural expectations often determine if a person has or does not have a mental disorder. Although there are no particular causes of psychological disorders, most of them stem from genetic, environmental, and brain-related factors. This paper examines some of the most common psychological illnesses, their symptoms, and relative treatment approaches.

Borderline Personality Disorder

It is the most prevalent type of personality disorder. As noted by Gunderson et al. (2018), patients often exhibit mental instability. As a result, they face challenges in appreciating themselves, their surroundings, and relating with other people (Claridge & Davis, 2013).  Although there is no particular proven cause of this illness, research points out genetic factors, brain alterations, and environmental aspects as the possible causes.

Panic Disorders

According to Kim & Kim (2017), panic disorders result from the repeated occurrence of panic attacks. In this context, patients develop a psychological condition due to fearful incidences that have adverse psychological implications. Patients suffering from panic attacks have excessive safety concerns and feel terrorized even with the presence of an actual threat. The symptoms of panic attacks include abdominal discomfort, increased heart rate, hyperventilation, feelings of looming or impending harm, chills, and trembling. Like many mental disorders, brain functions, emotional distress, and genetics are common risk factors.

Psychosis

Psychosis is a psychological condition that severely impairs human thought processes and perceptions. Psychotic patients often disconnect from reality and thus remain undecided on what is real or not real (Radua et al., 2018). Patients often become delusional and experience hallucinations due to impaired brain functions. Besides, patients may become withdrawn, depressed, anxious, or even develop sleeping problems. Psychosis emanates from genetic causes, brain injury, drugs and substance use, trauma, or other undetected psychological disorders.

Insomnia

Although often not considered a psychological disorder, Insomnia is a severe mental illness that bears adverse health implications.  Insomnia manifests as unusual sleeping trends that include disturbed sleep, lack of sleep, and challenges in getting back to sleep (Hertenstein et al., 2019). Although sleeping habits vary, a healthy person requires about 7-8 hours of sleep per day. Insomnia signifies underlying health issues, emotional stress, and trauma. Other factors include drug and substance use and lack of adequate and proper diet.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This illness presents as irregular, repetitive, and compulsive behaviour stemming from repeated, compulsive, and intrusive thought processes (Robbins et al., 2018). Typically, patients suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are obsessed with specific activities like maintaining cleanliness and punctuality. Distorted and repetitive thought processes result in an obsession with tasks like washing, cleaning, or cooking. Like other psychological disorders, studies link OBD with genetic, environmental, and cognitive underpinnings.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders refer to abnormal and inconsistent eating behaviour. People experiencing eating disorders are often preoccupied with food and body weight. The most common eating disorders include Binge eating, Anorexia Nervosa, and Bulimia Nervosa (Hoek, 2016). Although most people do not perceive eating disorders as psychological illnesses, they originate from various psychological, genetic, and environmental factors. Symptoms manifest abnormal eating habits (too much or too little) and withdrawal from activities.  Eating disorders require multidimensional treatment that includes a combination of medication and physiotherapy.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Psychological trauma emanates from hurtful experiences that exceed an individual’s coping abilities. Traumatic events include violence, physical injury, or the death of a loved one/s (Lehavot et al., 2017). Like other mental illnesses, PTSD can occur at any human developmental stage. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms entail mood changes, excessive physical and psychological reactions, and withdrawal from social activities. The severity of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can either be mild or acute depending on an individual abilities to cope with traumatizing experiences.

Anxiety disorder

Anxiety refers to a mental state depicted by worry and general fear about everyday occurrences. Although being anxious is normal, it is also a sign of an underlying mental illness if it happens excessively ( Horenstein & Heimberg, 2020).  Any disorder consists of a wide range of mental illnesses like phobias, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders interfere with behaviour due to excessive feelings of fear, worry, and restlessness. Symptoms often include increased heart rate, tiredness, abdominal discomfort, lack of sleep, shortness of breath, and avoidance of activities or experiences that provoke the symptoms. Anxiety disorders stem from psychological processes and environmental factors. Apart from the psychological disorders highlighted and discussed in this paper, other common psychological disorders include Autism, Schizophrenia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Dementia.

Conclusion

Mental health is a critical part of overall health and wellness. The psychological disorders discussed in this paper only present a portion of all the existing mental illnesses. Most psychological disorders have common symptoms, making their treatment processes complex. Brain functions, the environment, and genetics are prime causes of mental illnesses. Like other illnesses, treating psychological disorders requires a multidimensional approach that usually involves medication and physiotherapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy emerges as a critical tool in treating these disorders.

Reference

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