Introduction
Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well‐being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave; how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health issues, also known as mental disorders, arise when deviations in these aspects are severe, persistent, and interfere with daily life. They are not uncommon: globally, a significant proportion of the population will experience some form of mental health issue during their lives.
In modern times, with the pressures of rapid societal change, economic instability, globalization, technological proliferation, the COVID‐19 pandemic, social isolation, and increasing awareness of mental illness, mental health issues have become more visible, pressing, and complex. This article explores what mental health issues are, types and classifications, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, impact, treatments, barriers, prevention, and the way forward.
Types and Classifications of Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders are varied in nature, severity, duration, and effects. Below are the major categories and some common disorders.
Mood Disorders
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder):
Persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, fatigue, changes in sleep and appetite, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, possibly suicidal thoughts.
Bipolar Disorder:
Alternation between depressive episodes and manic/hypomanic episodes — periods of elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, impulsivity.
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):
Chronic excessive worry about a variety of things; restlessness, fatigue, concentration difficulties, irritability, sleep problems.
Panic Disorder:
Recurrent sudden panic attacks – intense fear, physical symptoms like heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath.
Phobias:
Specific phobias (e.g. spiders, heights), social phobia (social anxiety), agoraphobia (fear of open or public places).
Eating Disorders
Disorders characterized by unhealthy eating habits and preoccupation with weight/body image.
Anorexia Nervosa:
Severe restriction of food intake, fear of gaining weight, distorted body image.
Bulimia Nervosa:
Episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors (vomiting, excessive exercise, laxatives).
Binge Eating Disorder:
Repeated episodes of excessive eating without compensatory behaviors, followed by guilt or distress.
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia:
Symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech or behavior, negative symptoms (reduced motivation, emotion).
Other brief or drug-induced psychoses as well.
Trauma‐ and Stress‐Related Disorders
Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
Exposure to traumatic event, recurrent flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, avoidance of stimuli related to trauma.
Acute Stress Disorder.
Obsessive‐Compulsive and Related Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD):
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) done to reduce anxiety.
Related disorders like body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder.
Personality Disorders
Long‐standing patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience that deviate markedly from expectations of the individual’s culture; are pervasive and inflexible; lead to distress or impairment. Examples: Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
These emerge early in development and affect cognition, behavior, communication.
Substance Use Disorders / Addictions
Dependence on or misuse of substances (alcohol, drugs) or behavioral addictions (gambling). These often co‐occur with other mental health disorders.
Other
Somatic Symptom Disorders:
Significant focus on physical symptoms causing distress.
Sleep Disorders impacting mental health.
Neurocognitive Disorders (e.g. dementia) in older age.
Causes and Risk Factors
Mental health issues are multi‐causal; most disorders arise from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors.
Biological Factors
Genetics:
Family history increases risk.
Neurochemistry:
Imbalances in neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin, dopamine).
Brain structure and functioning:
Trauma to brain, neurological disease.
Physical health:
Chronic illness, hormonal changes, nutrition, sleep.
Psychological Factors
Trauma:
Childhood abuse, neglect, domestic violence, wartime trauma.
Stressful life events:
Loss of loved one, divorce, job loss.
Personality traits:
High neuroticism, low self‐esteem, perfectionism.
Cognitive styles:
Negative thinking patterns, rumination.
Social and Environmental Factors
Poverty, economic stress, unemployment.
Social isolation, lack of social support.
Discrimination, oppression, social injustice (race, gender, sexuality).
Family environment:
Conflict, parental mental illness.
Cultural pressures, stigma around mental health.
Rapid life changes:
Urbanization, migration, war, displacement.
Modern and Emerging Factors
Technology and Social Media:
Overuse can contribute to loneliness, reduced self‐esteem, comparison, cyberbullying.
Pandemics and Global Crises:
COVID‐19 showed how uncertainty, isolation, fear, economic instability amplify mental health issues. (Studies in Bangladesh pointed out stress due to financial crisis, unemployment, loneliness, family issues, stigma, etc.)
PMC
Workplace Stress and Burnout:
Chronic over‐work, pressure to perform, work‐life imbalance.
Environmental Stressors:
Natural disasters, climate change anxiety.
Risk Factors Specific to Populations
Youth and adolescents:
identity formation, peer pressure, academic stress.
Women and girls:
higher risk of depression, anxiety, exposure to gender‐based violence.
Marginalized groups:
LGBTQ+, racial minorities.
People in low‐ and middle‐income countries:
less access to services, greater social stigma, compounding poverty.
Diagnosis, Assessment, and Classification
Diagnosing mental health disorders involves careful assessment, usually by psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, or other trained professionals. Key components include:
Diagnostic Manuals
DSM‐5 & DSM‐5‐TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association) used in many countries. Provides standardized criteria.
Verywell Mind
ICD‐11 (International Classification of Diseases) by the World Health Organization.
Clinical Interview
Exploration of symptoms: onset, duration, severity, precipitating events.
Psychological Testing
Use of standardized questionnaires and scales (e.g. Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale).
Physical Examination and Medical Tests
To rule out physical causes (thyroid disorders, neurological issues, drug effects).
Assessment of Functioning
How the disorder affects daily functioning: social, occupational, academic domains.
Comorbidity
Many individuals have more than one mental health disorder (e.g., depression + anxiety, PTSD + substance use). Recognition important for accurate treatment.
Cultural and Contextual Factors
Mental health expressions vary by culture; clinicians must take into account local beliefs, stigma, support systems.
Prevalence and Global Burden
Mental health disorders are among the leading causes of disability worldwide.
Estimates:
by some reports ~1 in 4 people will experience some mental health disorder at some point.
Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental disorders globally.
Severe mental illnesses (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) affect fewer people but cause large disability and reduced quality of life.
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