Clinically significant impairment in a person's intellect, emotional control, or behavior is what is known as a mental disorder. It is typically linked to distress or functional impairment in key areas. Mental disorders come in many different forms.
Mental health issues are another name for mental disorders. The latter is a more general phrase that encompasses mental illnesses, psychosocial impairments, and (other) mental states connected to considerable distress, functional disability, or danger of self-harm. This fact sheet focuses on mental illnesses as defined by the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).
In 2019, one in eight individuals, or 970 million people worldwide, had a mental illness, with anxiety and depressive disorders being the most prevalent (1). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people who suffer from anxiety and depressive illnesses greatly increased in 2020. Initial projections indicate a 26% and 28% increase in anxiety and major depressive disorders, respectively, in just one year (2). Although there are effective methods for both prevention and therapy, the majority of those who suffer from mental illnesses do not have access to them. Stigma, prejudice, and human rights violations are also commonplace.
The Anxiety Disorder
In 2019, 301 million people, including 58 million children and teenagers, suffered from an anxiety illness (1). Excessive fear, worry, and behavioral abnormalities are hallmarks of anxiety disorders. The symptoms are strong enough to cause significant anguish or functional impairment. Generalized anxiety disorder (characterized by excessive worry), panic disorder (characterized by panic attacks), social anxiety disorder (characterized by excessive fear and worry in social situations), separation anxiety disorder (characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those with whom the person has a deep emotional bond), and other types of anxiety disorders are among the many different types of anxiety disorders. There are efficient psychological treatments available, and depending on the severity and age, medicines may also be taken into consideration.
Depression
There were 280 million persons with depression worldwide in 2019, including 23 million children and teenagers (1). Depression is distinct from common mood swings and fleeting emotional reactions to problems in daily life. A depressive episode lasts at least two weeks and is characterized by a depressed mood (sad, irritated, or empty feelings) or a loss of enjoyment or interest in activities for the majority of each day.
Other signs may include difficulty concentrating, feelings of overwhelming guilt or low self-worth, a lack of hope for the future, suicidal or death thoughts, disturbed sleep, changes in food, and feeling particularly exhausted or low on energy. Suicide risk is higher among depressed individuals. Yet, effective psychological treatment exists, and depending on the age and severity, medication may also be considered.
The Bipolar Disorder
40 million people in the United States have bipolar disorder in 2019. (1). Depressive episodes and times of manic symptoms alternate for people with bipolar illness. The person has a depressed mood (feels gloomy, irritable, or empty) or loses interest in activities for the majority of the day, almost every day, during a depressive episode.
Euphoria or irritation, increased activity or energy, and other symptoms like increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, higher self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and impulsive hazardous behavior are only a few of the possible manic symptoms. Suicide risk is higher for those who have bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, there are effective therapeutic methods available, such as psychoeducation, stress reduction and social functioning enhancement, and medication.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
In areas devastated by conflict, PTSD and other mental problems are very common (3). Following exposure to a terrifying or upsetting event or sequence of events, PTSD may manifest. It is characterized by everything listed below: 1) Reliving the traumatic incident or events in the present (intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares); 2) Avoiding thoughts and recollections of the event(s); or 3) Avoiding actions, persons, or situations that bring back the memory of the event(s). These symptoms last for at least a couple of weeks and seriously hinder functioning. There are psychological treatments that work.
Schizophrenia
Around 24 million people, or 1 in 300 persons globally, suffer from schizophrenia (1). The life expectancy of those who have schizophrenia is 10–20 years lower than that of the general population (4). Schizophrenia is characterized by severe perceptual problems and behavioral disturbances. Symptoms can include excessive agitation, persistent delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and disorderly behavior. Cognitive functioning issues may continue for a long time in people with schizophrenia. The good news is that there are a variety of efficient treatment alternatives, including medication, psychoeducation, family interventions, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Disorders of Eating
In 2019, 14 million people, including about 3 million children and teenagers, suffered from eating disorders (1). Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two examples of eating disorders that feature abnormal eating, obsession with food, and a lot of body image issues.
The behaviors or symptoms have a significant negative impact on functioning, significant distress, or significant risk to one's health. Anorexia nervosa frequently begins in adolescence or early adulthood and is linked to early death from medical problems or suicide. A considerable rise in the risk of substance abuse, suicidality, and health issues exists in those with bulimia nervosa. Family-based therapy and cognitive-based therapy are two effective therapeutic methods.
Disorders of Disruptive Behavior and Dissociation
In 2019, 40 million people, including children and teenagers, suffered from conduct-dissocial disorder (1). One of two conditions that cause disruptive behavior and dissociative interactions, is often known as conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder. Persistent behavioral issues, such as persistent defiance or disobedience to actions that repeatedly violate others' fundamental rights or important age-appropriate society standards, rules, or laws, are characteristics of disruptive behavior and dissociative disorders. Disruptive and antisocial disorders frequently, but not always, begin in childhood. There are effective psychological therapies available, frequently involving parents, caregivers, and educators, as well as cognitive problem-solving or social skills instruction.
Disorders of Neurodevelopment
A behavioral and cognitive disorder known as a neurodevelopmental disorder is one that significantly impairs the ability to learn and use a certain set of intellectual, physical, language, or social skills during the developmental stage.
Diseases of intellectual development, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others, are examples of neurodevelopmental disorders. A chronic pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that negatively affects academic, occupational, or social functioning is a hallmark of ADHD. Significant restrictions in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior, which refer to challenges with daily conceptual, social, and practical abilities that are done in daily life, are characteristics of intellectual development disorders.
The term "autism spectrum disorder" (ASD) refers to a wide range of disorders that are characterized by some level of difficulty with social contact and reciprocal communication as well as persistent, rigid, repetitive, and unchanging patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
There are several efficient treatment alternatives, such as occupational and speech therapy, psychological therapies, and behavioral interventions. Medication may also be taken into consideration for specific diseases and age groups.
Mental Disorders Are at Risk For Whom?
A wide range of individual, family, community and structural elements can work together to support or jeopardize mental health at any one time. Even while the majority of people are resilient, those who are exposed to unfavorable conditions, such as poverty, violence, handicap, and inequality, are more at risk. Individual psychological and biological characteristics, such as emotional skills and heredity, are risk and protective factors. Changes in brain structure and/or function have an impact on many risk and protective variables.
The Health Care System and Social Support
Health systems are severely underfunded and have not yet provided for the requirements of those with mental illnesses. Around the world, there is a huge gap between the need for treatment and its availability; when it is given, it is frequently of low quality. For instance, just 33% of those with depression and 29% of those with psychosis obtain official mental health care (6).
People who have mental illnesses also need social support, including assistance in establishing and sustaining social, familial, and personal bonds. Additionally, people with mental illnesses may require assistance with housing, work, educational programs, and other worthwhile endeavors.
The WHO's Response
The importance of mental health in achieving health for all people is acknowledged in the WHO's Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030. The strategy has four main goals.
to improve efficient leadership and administration of mental health;
to offer thorough, responsive, integrated, and social care services in a community-based setting;
to put into practice tactics for mental health promotion and prevention; and
to improve mental health research, evidence, and information systems.
In order to enhance services in countries, especially those with limited resources, the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) of WHO provides technical guidance, tools, and training materials based on empirical research. It implements an integrated strategy to increase the competence of non-specialized healthcare professionals and focuses on a prioritized list of disorders, boosting mental health at all stages of treatment. The WHO mhGAP Intervention Guide 2.0, which teaches medical practitioners how to recognize and treat mental diseases in non-specialist healthcare settings, is a component of this initiative.
Final Word
Take note of these definitions as they will help you understand the core meaning of mental disorders. Still, if you need a more comprehensive explanation, just talk to your doctor about it. Your health should come first no matter what.
In case anyone needs more information on this topic, we’ve compiled the most common mental disorders below.
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