Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. Any information provided is a product of research and/or personal experience. Please consult a physician or mental health professional for further information, resources, or assistance.
Welcome to the start of my series on mental health disorders and issues. Creating an open discussion about mental health is incredibly important to me as I have spent years living with depression and anxiety. While these disorders are more well-known than others, I still find myself dispelling common misconceptions and explaining my mental health struggles.
My goal of this series is to dig into a variety of mental health issues to further discussions about mental health and, for myself, to be able to better represent anyone I might interview in the future.
So far, my list includes the following mental health disorders/issues:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Postpartum Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder I vs. Bipolar Disorder II
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Adjustment Disorder/Stress Response Syndrome
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
- Substance-Related Disorders/Addiction
- Eating Disorders
- Dissociative Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Schizophrenia
A mental health disorder is typically generalized as being something that causes disruption in a person’s daily functioning, whether it impacts school or work, our social lives, or even our ability to take care of our bodies. Not everyone with the same disorder has similar thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or attitudes. From diagnosis to treatment, mental health is incredibly personal but you are not alone.
This Thursday I’m going to start with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. This series is not meant to offer a diagnosis but to provide insight on how varied mental health can be. If you think you might be suffering from a mental health disorder, please consult a health care professional.
Are there any disorders or issues I’ve missed that should be on this list?
Are there any outdated names or terms I’m misusing?
Mental Health, Actually 