When you think of mental disorders and illnesses, what ones come to mind? When I was younger I likely would’ve just said bipolar or schizophrenia because those are the biggies you’d hear about back in the 90’s when I was growing up. Now we’re opening up more as a whole to talk about a ton more including depression, anxiety and more. So in no particular order, here are ten mental illnesses adults are dealing with today.
10. Panic Disorder
Sudden fits of terror can overwhelm those with this. They’ll suddenly feel fearful of where they are, and some with this can develop agoraphobia. Luckily though, this one can be treated with more ease than others.
9. PTSD
Those who’ve experienced an extremely trying time in life can develop this. Most are those who’ve been to war, but victims of rape and abuse can too.
8. OCD
We’ve all seen the True Life about this one and man oh man…it’s not the easiest to live with if it gets so bad you can’t leave your house without counting seventeen times, touching a doorknob and spinning in three circles. Those diagnosed with this can get help to allow them to cut down their behaviors and live a more normal life.
7. Schizophrenia
This affects about one percent of the population, and causes those people to hear voices that range, but can be destructive. There are medications to help with this, but there is no definite cure.
6. Bipolar Disorder
This is when you experience super highs and super lows. One of the best performances on television in recent years dealing with this has been on Showtime’s Shameless where a distant mother and her son deal with it.
5. Social Phobia
When you get extremely nervous and anxious in social settings – this is it. Personally, I think it’s a growing problem thanks to us being heavily into our phones when we’re in public. We’ve lost the ability to converse with people without screens.
4. ADHD
This is a common one we’re all used to as it’s common not only in adults but with many kids as well.
3. Eating Disorders
Anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia – eating disorders are all mental. It’s all in their heads and causes them to feel like they’re bodies are less than “perfect.”
2. Anxiety
There are a lot of conditions under this umbrella, but at the end of the day – you know how I feel about it, here.
1. Depression
Like we noted earlier this week, depression is something everyone goes through – but it can and does range from person to person. Some can get through it without therapy and medication, while some cannot.