1.4 Identify examples of mental health problems

This guide will help you answer 1.4 Identify examples of mental health problems.

Mental health problems affect how people think, feel, and behave. They can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstances. Understanding examples of mental health problems is important in recognising the challenges individuals face and offering appropriate support. This guide explores various types of mental health problems and their impact on people’s lives.

Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems. It is more than feeling sad or low temporarily. People with depression may experience a range of symptoms, including:

• A persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Fatigue and low energy
• Sleep problems, such as insomnia or oversleeping
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Weight changes due to appetite shifts

In severe cases, depression can lead to feelings of worthlessness or suicidal thoughts. Treatment often involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders cause excessive worry or fear, which can affect daily life. There are different types of anxiety disorders, including:

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

• Feeling anxious about a wide range of everyday situations.
• Symptoms include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension.

Panic Disorder:

• Experiencing sudden and intense panic attacks.
• Symptoms can include chest pain, sweating, dizziness, or feeling out of control.

Social Anxiety Disorder:

• Fear of social situations, such as speaking in public or meeting new people.
• People may avoid gatherings or feel judged by others.

Treatments for anxiety disorders may include talking therapies and medication, such as antidepressants.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves extreme mood swings. These swings range from emotional highs (mania or hypomania) to severe lows (depression). Episodes may last days, weeks, or even longer.

Symptoms of mania include:

• Feeling extremely happy or “high”
• Talking quickly or racing thoughts
• Risky behaviours, such as spending too much money

Symptoms of depression in bipolar disorder are similar to those of clinical depression. Bipolar disorder often requires lifelong management, including medication and therapy.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a condition where people experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Obsessive thoughts are unwanted and repetitive, leading to anxiety. Compulsions are the actions people take to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts.

Examples include:

• Excessive handwashing due to fear of germs
• Checking locks repeatedly to ensure safety
• Counting or arranging objects in a specific way

OCD can disrupt daily life and relationships. Common treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This may include abuse, accidents, violence, or warfare. Symptoms can appear shortly after the event, or they may occur months or even years later.

Signs of PTSD include:

• Flashbacks or reliving the traumatic event
• Nightmares and trouble sleeping
• Avoiding places, people, or reminders of the trauma
• Hypervigilance (being on edge or easily startled)

Treatment options range from therapy, such as trauma-focused CBT, to medications that help reduce the symptoms.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition affecting how people think, feel, and perceive reality. Symptoms are typically grouped into:

• Positive symptoms: Hallucinations, like hearing voices, and delusions, which are false beliefs.
• Negative symptoms: Lack of motivation, social withdrawal, or reduced emotional expression.

Schizophrenia often begins in late teenage years or early adulthood. It can greatly impact daily life, but treatments such as antipsychotic medications, therapy, and community support can help.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are mental health conditions characterised by unhealthy relationships with food and body image. Common examples include:

Anorexia Nervosa:

• Restricting food intake due to fear of gaining weight.
• Symptoms include dramatic weight loss and distorted body image.

Bulimia Nervosa:

• A cycle of binge eating followed by purging to prevent weight gain.
• Methods of purging might include vomiting or using laxatives.

Binge Eating Disorder:

• Regular episodes of overeating without purging.
• This can lead to obesity and related health issues.

Eating disorders often require a combination of psychological and medical treatments to address both mental and physical health risks.

Personality Disorders

Personality disorders affect how people relate to others and manage emotions. Behaviours can seem rigid or extreme, making relationships and work difficult. There are ten recognised personality disorders grouped into three categories:

Cluster A (Odd or Eccentric):

• Paranoid Personality Disorder
• Schizoid Personality Disorder

Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic):

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which leads to unstable moods and self-image.
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Cluster C (Anxious or Fearful):

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (not the same as OCD)
• Avoidant Personality Disorder

People with personality disorders often benefit from therapy, such as dialectical behaviour therapy or psychodynamic therapy.

Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts

Self-harm involves deliberately injuring oneself, often as a way to cope with emotional pain. Common methods include cutting or burning the skin. It does not mean the person wants to end their life, but it indicates severe distress.

Suicidal thoughts or ideation can range from wishing to die to planning a suicide attempt. Anyone experiencing these thoughts should seek immediate support through helplines or mental health services.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Although not always seen as a mental health problem, ASD can lead to mental health challenges. People with ASD may struggle with social communication and repetitive behaviours. Conditions such as anxiety and depression are common among individuals with autism. Support often includes therapies that address specific needs.

Addiction and Substance Misuse

Mental health problems can manifest as addiction or substance misuse. People may become dependent on alcohol, drugs, or behaviours like gambling. Addiction impacts mental and physical health, as well as relationships and finances. Additionally, certain individuals may face a higher likelihood of developing addictive behaviors due to underlying risk factors for mental health issues, such as trauma, genetic predisposition, or chronic stress. Recognizing these factors is crucial in understanding the pathway to addiction and ensuring early intervention. By addressing these risk factors, individuals can work towards healthier coping mechanisms and support systems to improve their overall well-being.

Signs of addiction include:

• An inability to stop despite harmful consequences
• Increasing tolerance, needing more to achieve the same effect
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance or engaging in the behaviour

Treatment options include support groups, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.

Phobias

A phobia is an intense fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. Examples include:

• Agoraphobia – fear of open or crowded spaces.
• Social Phobia – fear of social situations.
• Specific Phobias – fears of things like spiders (arachnophobia) or heights (acrophobia).

Phobias often limit people’s lives. Treatments like exposure therapy and CBT can reduce the fear over time.

Conclusion

Mental health problems vary widely in symptoms and severity. They can affect how people feel, think, and interact with the world. Recognising signs and understanding different conditions is the first step in offering the right support. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or more complex disorders such as schizophrenia, help is available through mental health services, therapy, and medications tailored to individual needs.