Definitions and Comonly Used Terms | Berkeley Mental Heal

Definitions, Common Mental Illnesses & Symptoms, and other Commonly Used Terms

There are almost 300 mental illnesses listed in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) - the book mental health professionals use to diagnose and identify mental illnesses

The main groups of mental illnesses are listed below. While this is not a comprehensive list, it can be very helpful to be familiar with these terms. Keep in mind that these conditions can have varying symptoms, causes, and treatments and every individual has different experiences. Early identification and treatment of mental health conditions can have significant impacts on an individuals future.

Note that you do not need to have, or believe you have, a mental illness to speak to a therapist or counselor.

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and/or loss of interest or pleasure in activities. They can disrupt a person's daily functioning and have a significant impact on their quality of life

Major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression) - Characterized by the following symptoms which can vary in severity and duration from person to person:

Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable
Changes in appetite and sleep patterns (e.g., eating more or less than usual, insomnia or excessive sleeping)
Decreased energy and fatigue, even small tasks take extra effort
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) - Characterized by fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity levels. Symptoms can be primarily broken down into depression episodes (see depression) and episodes of mania (hypomania):

Elevated or irritable mood
Increased energy and decreased need for sleep
Grandiose thoughts or excessive optimism
Impulsive or reckless behavior
Racing thoughts and fast speech
Difficulty concentrating
Increased irritability or agitation

The duration of manic episodes can vary greatly from a few days to weeks, and can be influenced by a number of factors, including medication, substance use, and underlying medical conditions

Other examples of mood disorders include:

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - depression that occurs during the same season each year, typically in the winter months
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) - a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes depression, anxiety, and irritability
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) - formerly known as Dysthymia, this is a chronic form of depression characterized by low-level symptoms that persist for at least two years
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) - characterized by persistent irritability and frequent temper outbursts in children and adolescents
Substance/Medication-Induced Mood Disorder - characterized by mood changes as a result of substance use or medication

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent and excessive fear, worry, or nervousness.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) - persistent anxiety that is not tied to any specific object or situation and can't be easily explained away.

Common symptoms of GAD can include:

Excessive worry or anxiety about everyday life events
Restlessness or irritability
Muscle tension or headaches
Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
Fatigue or weakness
Nausea or upset stomach
Trouble relaxing or feeling still

This excessive worry can interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress. GAD can be treated with a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, and the best course of treatment will depend on the individual's specific symptoms and needs.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent, intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) in an effort to relieve anxiety. People with OCD experience persistent, intrusive, and often distressing thoughts, impulses, or images that they cannot ignore or banish, leading to repetitive behaviors or mental acts in an attempt to reduce anxiety or prevent harm.

Common symptoms of OCD can include:

Recurrent, intrusive, and distressing thoughts or images (obsessions)
Repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) in response to obsessions
Significant anxiety or distress caused by obsessions or compulsions
Interference with daily activities and relationships

Common obsessions in OCD can include:

fear of contamination or harm
intrusive thoughts about sex or violence
excessive concern with order or symmetry
unwanted religious or moral thoughts.

Common compulsions in OCD can include

repetitive cleaning or hand washing
counting
checking
mental rituals such as repeating phrases or prayers.

Other common anxiety disorders include:

Panic Disorder: recurring and spontaneous panic attacks, along with persistent fear or anxiety about having another panic attack or the consequences of having a panic attack. Individuals experience sudden and intense feelings of fear or terror, along with physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, or difficulty breathing, leading to significant anxiety and avoidance of triggers or situations that may cause a panic attack.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD): intense fear and anxiety in social situations, leading to avoidance of social interactions and significant interference with daily life. People with SAD experience intense anxiety or fear about being embarrassed, humiliated, or judged by others in social situations, such as public speaking, performing in front of others, or meeting new people.

Separation Anxiety Disorder: intense fear and anxiety about separation from home or from those to whom the person is attached, leading to avoidance of separation and significant interference with daily life.

Specific Phobias: intense and irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as fear of heights, fear of flying, fear of spiders, or fear of closed spaces. Excessive and persistent fear or anxiety about the object or situation leads to avoidance of the phobic stimulus

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that involve abnormal eating habits and a distorted view of one's body and weight. People with eating disorders may have a preoccupation with food, weight, and body size that affects their daily life and well-being.

Anorexia (Anorexia Nervosa) is characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and a persistent restriction of food intake that leads to severe weight loss.

Distorted body image: People with anorexia have a negative perception of their own body and may see themselves as overweight even if they are significantly underweight.
Fear of weight gain: People with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and may weigh themselves frequently.
Restriction of food intake: People with anorexia limit the amount and type of food they eat, and may avoid certain foods or food groups entirely.
Compulsive behaviors: People with anorexia may engage in compulsive behaviors such as excessive exercise, self-induced vomiting, or the misuse of laxatives.

Physical and emotional symptoms such as:

fatigue
dizziness
constipation
menstrual irregularities
depression
anxiety
irritability.

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives.

Binge eating: Episodes of rapid, uncontrolled eating where they eat large amounts of food in a short period of time.
Purging: behaviors include self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise to try to get rid of the calories consumed during binge eating.
Weight fluctuations: People with bulimia may experience fluctuations in their weight, but their weight is generally within the normal range for their age and height.

Physical and Emotional symptoms include:

dehydration
electrolyte imbalances
stomach problems
oral or dental problems.
depression
anxiety
guilt
shame

Other eating disorders include:

Binge Eating Disorder: a disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes, during which a person eats an excessive amount of food in a short period of time and feels a lack of control over their eating.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): a disorder characterized by a persistent avoidance of certain foods or refusal to eat due to a lack of interest in food, a fear of choking or vomiting, or an aversion to specific textures or tastes.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED): a category used to describe eating disorders that do not fit the criteria for any of the other specific disorders but still cause significant distress and impairment.