Mental health symptoms and disorders
First, choose any of the symptoms of common mental health issues or disorders below that may be relevant to you (or anyone you are trying to help), and read more.
- We have focused on the general symptoms of common mental health issues, and included only a few mental health ‘disorders‘ as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5)See: https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm [accessed 1 Nov. 2017], as these can sometimes be confusing, overwhelming, and controversial.
- We have also focused on common mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, irritability, and problems with attention or memory, rather than the more complex diagnoses, such as bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. (which we plan to focus on in the future)
Second, on each symptom page, read about the various possible contributors which may be causing or exacerbating your symptoms.
Finally, for each contributor that is relevant to you, read about possible solutions to help you on your healing journey.
It is always best to work with a qualified health practitioner to diagnose and treat your mental health issues.
A compulsion to take a substance and/or engage in a behaviour over which you may have little control, to the point where it could be harmful to you.
Addiction often goes hand-in-hand with other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and insomnia, and it can be both a cause and a symptom.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a medical disorder in which neurological, nutritional, genetic and environmental factors imbalance the brain, producing imbalanced behaviour. Symptoms can include poor concentration and attention, lack of focus (or conversely, hyper-focus), impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
A feeling of worry or unease, often in response to perceived stress, though sometimes for no identifiable reason. It can manifest through various physical and mental symptoms, such as agitation, rapid heartbeat, negative thinking, panic, sleeplessness, and more.
As a symptom, depression can manifest as a feeling of low mood, persistent sadness, hopelessness, or lack of joy.
As a more complex mental health issue (often called a “depressive disorder”), it can manifest with a combination of various physical and mental symptoms; these can include a loss of appetite, an inability to sleep, fatigue, anxiety, or irritability.
A feeling of deep physical and/or mental tiredness which can feel relentless and is unresolved by a good night’s sleep. Exhaustion can be a symptom of depression, and can be a sign of various physiological and mental imbalances.
A feeling of restless agitation; an inability to sit still or focus on one thing. Hyperactivity can lead to difficulties at work and in relationships. It can be a sign of various physiological and mental imbalances.
Persistent irritability can be characterized by recurring mood swings, aggression, anger, or disproportionate outbursts. It can be a sign of various physiological and mental imbalances.
Rapid, repeated, and dramatic changes in mood, often occurring with other symptoms such as exhaustion, irritability, and depression. It can be a sign of various physiological and mental imbalances.
Recurring and persistent difficulty in focusing on a task or a thought. It may be accompanied by feelings of inadequacy, agitation, or anxiety, and it can be a sign of various physiological and mental imbalances.
Chronic and recurring lapses in short-term and/or long-term memory can be signs of an underlying physiological and mental imbalance which must be addressed.
Sleep issues such as insomnia (the inability to sleep for long enough), hypersomnia (sleeping too long), or night terrors can be symptoms of underlying physiological and mental imbalances. They can be both a cause and a symptom of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and physiological issues such as hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances.