more about mental health disorders
What is a mental disorder?
The American Psychiatric Association has identified approximately 300 mental disorders divided into 20 categories. Some of the disorders primarily involve a disturbance in thought processes (e.g., psychotic disorders), whereas others involve a disturbance in mood (e.g., depressive disorders) or behavior (e.g., substance use disorders). The underlying causes of the disorders can be biological, psychological, and/or developmental in nature.
Some mental disorders occur during certain stages of life, whereas others can occur at anytime during the lifespan. Some disorders occur only once, others intermittently recur throughout a person's lifetime, and still others are more chronic in nature. Some mental disorders are only mildly debilitating, whereas others cause significant impairment in functioning.
Despite the range and complexity of mental disorders, they have similar effects on an individual's life. Mental disorders often cause a person to experience significant emotional distress - partly due to the symptoms themselves, and partly due to the person's recognition that they are no longer thinking or behaving as they have in the past. The disorders can also cause impaired functioning in important areas of life, such as family relationships, work, or school. Additionally, the person's family members are often concerned about the individual's distress and impairment, resulting in the entire family being affected by the disorder.
Regardless of the individual's mental health diagnosis, a skilled clinician - or a team of skilled clinicians - can be highly effective in helping the person achieve an improved quality of life. They can assist the individual in attaining reduced mental health symptoms, improved functioning in major life areas, and a brighter view of the future.