Mental health conditions include disorders that impact mood, thinking, and behavior. Each has unique symptoms, but mental health conditions can cause low mood, confusion, hallucinations, extreme mood changes, fatigue, delusions, changes to eating habits, anger, and suicidal thoughts. Treatment is complex but often involves a combination of therapy, medication, substance misuse treatment, brain stimulation treatments, and lifestyle adjustments. Self-care, open communications, a strong support network, and reducing stigma are crucial for those living with mental health challenges.
FAQ
What are common mental health conditions?
Common mental health conditions include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and borderline personality disorder. Many are connected and have different subtypes, and you might have more than one at the same time.
How are mental health conditions diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals diagnose mental health conditions through clinical evaluations that rule out underlying physical health problems and psychological tests that can help them assess your symptoms and determine which type of mental illness you may have.
Can mental health conditions be treated?
Therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and support groups can help you treat symptoms and improve quality of life. However, many mental health conditions are chronic and require lifelong management.
What lifestyle changes help mental health?
Regular exercise, proper nutrition, a robust sleep schedule, and effective stress management techniques can help you live with a mental health condition. Investing in healthy relationships and engaging in mindful behaviors like meditation also support good mental health.
Is mental health treatment confidential?
Law and ethics guidelines protect the confidentiality of any information you share during a therapy session or other mental health treatment. However, providers may share information if you pose a risk of serious harm to yourself or others.
Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.
Angela D. Harper, MD, is in private practice at Columbia Psychiatric Associates in South Carolina, where she provides evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for adul...
Chelsea Vinas is a licensed psychotherapist who has a decade of experience working with individuals, families, and couples living with anxiety, depression, trauma, and those experi...
Chester Wu, MD, is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He cares for patients through his private practice in Houston, where he provides evaluations, medication...
Seth Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, who helps people find personal growth by making important changes in their thoughts and...
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Resources
Mental Illness: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. December 13, 2022.
Mental Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clinic. December 13, 2022.
