List of Psychological Disorders and Mental Health Conditions

Condition grouping is based on APA DSM-5.

Anxiety Disorders

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a specific phobia that is typically paired with a panic or anxiety disorder. It is not a mental illness on its own but a specific grouping of behaviors that are related to a panic or anxiety disorder... Read More

Claustrophobia

Those with Claustrophobia are well aware of the feelings associated with the true disorder. Dealing with small spaces can create intense discomfort and panic in a person with Claustrophobia... Read More

Depersonalization Disorder

The sensation of not being connected to your body or reality for a moment is a defense mechanism of the brain to reduce the amount of emotional trauma experienced in a moment... Read More

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Imagine always feeling like something bad was lurking around the next corner waiting to sabotage you. It would be extremely stressful and possibly debilitating, keeping you from enjoying time with family, friends, or just living a normal life... Read More

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

When someone brings up Obsessive Compulsive Disorder usually people envision a person washing their hands incessantly, turning on and off the lights a certain number of times, or checking the stove knobs to the point that they miss out on important appointments... Read More

Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks

Imagine the feeling you get when someone jumps out from the darkness to scare you or there is a loud noise behind you without warning. Your heart might jump and begin to race, your breathing will speed up, you might feel faint, and begin to tremble... Read More

Perfectionism

Perfectionism is often seen as desirable personality trait of the successful and driven. When it is in its adaptive form it is considered to be a sign of accomplishment and high self esteem... Read More

Separation anxiety disorder

The behavior of a child with Separation Anxiety Disorder is intense, prolonged, and cannot be easily remedied. The dysfunction persists even when there is no real separation other than in thoughts or dreams... Read More

Social anxiety disorder / Social Phobia

Social Phobia or Social Anxiety Disorder is not simply being introverted and enjoying time alone from others. It is an often debilitating disorder that can keep an individual from participating in school, work, or family functions... Read More

Affective (Mood) Disorders

Bereavement

Death is an inevitable part of life. In some cases there is the unfortunate occurrence of a child that loses a parent, caregiver, or loved one at an age where death is not truly understood... Read More

Bipolar Disorder

One of the most misunderstood and clinically complicated disorders is Bipolar Disorder. It has two types and up to 16 subtypes for diagnostic criteria. It is difficult to diagnose and also very difficult to treat... Read More

Clinical Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)

Depression is one of the most misunderstood disorders. People often wonder why those suffering with depression can’t just cheer up or get over it. The sadness just seems to never go away and life seems unbearable but often no one understands... Read More

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a new diagnosis that is used in place of what used to be diagnosed as Bipolar Disorder in children. The intensity of mood swings in children diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder was not always an appropriate diagnostic measure but allowed them to get the treatment necessary for such a severely disruptive condition... Read More

Self-Harm (Cutting)

Self-injury, self-harm, or cutting is a serious behavior that accompanies many mental illnesses in both youth and adults. Those that engage in cutting can find prolific internet resources that explain how to cut, where to cut, and how to hide it from others... Read More

Depersonalization Disorder

The feeling of depersonalization happens at some point in the lives of most people. It is what you might feel when witnessing a horrible car accident or when receiving devastating news... Read More

Autistic Disorders

Asperger Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of mild autism that affects both males and females. Someone with Asperger’s is born with the condition and shows signs of being different during infancy or childhood. There are studies being done to determine the cause of Asperger’s with mixed results... Read More

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Autism awareness has reached an all time high with most people having someone with Autism in their family or a close friend with a child with Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that covers those with mild to severe Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome... Read More

Behavioral, Self-Regulation and Attention Disorders

ADD and ADHD

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder have both been under the microscope lately with many people feeling it is over diagnosed. There are no known causes for ADD/ADHD but there is speculation that overstimulation of young children creates an impatience with normal life... Read More

Attachment Disorder

When a child is born it has many needs. The child will need food, warmth, and to generally be taken care of. What many may not be aware is an important need is an attachment to a caretaker. This includes being swaddled, cradled, spoken to, touched, and loved... Read More

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Uncontrolled Anger)

We have all witnessed a child throw a tantrum in which they expressed anger, threw things, and maybe said some harsh words for not getting their way. They test their limits and show emotions that may not be ideal but it helps them figure out their boundaries... Read More

Kleptomania

Kleptomania is a serious disorder that could land you or your loved one in jail. Most children learn their lesson early in life that taking things that do not belong to them is not okay. It is a lesson that most take into adulthood and pass on to the next generation... Read More

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

If asked to diagnose a child that is moody, talks back, won’t follow rules, and can be vindictive most people will say that is normal childhood behavior. It may be, but if the behavior is severe enough it could be Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Hopefully this information will allow you to tell the difference... Read More

Pyromania

Pyromania is a very rare condition that is considered an impulse control disorder. It is more common in males than in females but can occur in both. Pyromania normally begins in childhood or adolescence and will persist throughout the person’s life if there is no treatment... Read More

Self Injury (Cutting)

Self-injury, self-harm, or cutting is a serious behavior that accompanies many mental illnesses in both youth and adults. Those that engage in cutting can find prolific internet resources that explain how to cut, where to cut, and how to hide it from others... Read More

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia is a disorder that is often in the spotlight due to the strong influence of the media to have the perfect body. Even the thinnest models are photo shopped to appear thinner in magazines that are marketed to those in the pre-teen to young adult woman demographic group... Read More

Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-Eating Disorder is not an affliction of the overweight or obese population. A person can have this disorder and be of average weight. This disorder usually begins during the teen years or early twenties and can occur in both men and women... Read More

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is an eating disorder that is less publicized and recognized by the media and general public than its counterpart, anorexia nervosa. Although they are both eating disorders that can be a danger to the sufferer, bulimia is much harder to identify and diagnose without the admission of the client or observation of the rituals by family or friends... Read More

Personality Disorders

Antisocial Personality Disorder

People are often captivated by the cunning serial killer or the psychopath portrayed in the movies. Often, these stories strike a chord in the general public because the killers portrayed in them live among others without detection... Read More

Attachment Disorder

When a child is born it has many needs. The child will need food, warmth, and to generally be taken care of. What many may not be aware is an important need is an attachment to a caretaker. This includes being swaddled, cradled, spoken to, touched, and loved... Read More

Avoidant Personality Disorder

A child that attempts to avoid all responsibilities in which they must socialize with others may not just simply be shy. Although the diagnosis of Avoidant Personality Disorder can only be made in those over the age of 18, many symptoms present well before early adulthood... Read More

Borderline Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are usually fairly simple to diagnose but difficult to treat. In their essence, they are a disorder of personality, which the person with the diagnosis usually describes as, “just how I am”. A person with Borderline Personality Disorder is always in a state of turmoil, unrest, or fear... Read More

Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a controversial diagnosis in the mental health community. There is still a divide between those who believe it is a true illness and those who feel it is a form of defense mechanism that is used to gain attention by the client... Read More

Substance-Dependence Disorders and Addictions

Cannabis Dependence

The argument for or against marijuana use has been ongoing for many decades. Medical professionals and researchers are finding that the use of marijuana can be medically beneficial for a long list of illnesses. Although there are benefits to using marijuana medicinally there are occasions in which the recreational use of cannabis can cause problems... Read More

Cocaine Dependence

Drug addiction is one thing that can seemingly transform a person into someone you no longer recognize. In most cases, the user loses sight of who they are as well. The grip of cocaine on the life of a person is cold and unrelenting. Long after the desire to use has passed the requirement of the body to have the drug to function becomes apparent... Read More

Hypersexuality (Sex Addiction)

Sex addiction, or hypersexuality, is often a debated condition that people consider an excuse for bad behavior. When a celebrity is caught cheating or in a sexually provocative situation, they often cite sex addiction as their excuse... Read More

Self–Perception/Self-identity Disorders

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Everyone has the one or two things about their body that they would like to change. It is every teen’s nightmare to grow an unsightly pimple the night before the prom or picture day. Some may want larger muscles while others want a smaller waist. This is a normal issue that most people have in one way or another... Read More

Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a controversial diagnosis in the mental health community. There is still a divide between those who believe it is a true illness and those who feel it is a form of defense mechanism that is used to gain attention by the client. Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, has an average age of onset between the ages of 5 and 6 years old... Read More

Depersonalization Disorder

The feeling of depersonalization happens at some point in the lives of most people. It is what you might feel when witnessing a horrible car accident or when receiving devastating news... Read More

Gender Dysphoria (form. Gender Identity Disorder)

Gender Dysphoria, previously known as Gender Identity Disorder, is a diagnosis that can be applied to children, adolescents, and adults. It is no longer considered a disorder due to gender identification not being a mental illness... Read More

Developmental Disorders

Asperger Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome is a form of mild autism that affects both males and females. Someone with Asperger’s is born with the condition and shows signs of being different during infancy or childhood. There are studies being done to determine the cause of Asperger’s with mixed results... Read More

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Autism awareness has reached an all time high with most people having someone with Autism in their family or a close friend with a child with Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term that covers those with mild to severe Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome... Read More

Intellectual Development Disorder (form. Mental Retardation)

The intelligence quotient, or IQ, test has been a common tool in academic communities to determine the ability of a person to learn. It has been misused most often to segregate students of different backgrounds into separate learning environments... Read More

Stress-Related/Reactive disorders

General Adaptation Disorder (Adjustment Disorder)

Adjustment Disorder is a form of general diagnosis for those that do not have symptoms severe enough to be considered mentally ill. Anything that causes stress can cause an Adjustment Disorder. Being sick with the flu, moving, getting married, having a child, difficulty in school, or a visit from family... Read More

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Tragic life events have a way of leaving an indelible mark on our psyche. Tragedy is a relative term and has a unique meaning for each individual. For one person, tragedy may be an unexpected job loss while others may feel tragedy is the death of a loved one... Read More

Psychotic/Thought Disorders

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of the most complex disorders to treat and to understand. There is a great level of diversity in the symptoms and they will vary greatly from person to person, and even from day to day in the same individual. Only 1% of the population is known to have Schizophrenia but the chances of developing the disorder is increased in families with a history of the illness... Read More

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia Disorder

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep. You may still feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can sap not only your energy level and mood but also your health, work performance and quality of life... Read More

Sleep terror disorder

Sleep terrors are not an issue that one will have to suspect are happening in their home. They are an obvious occurrence that does not go unnoticed. They are more noticeable and might occur more often than simple nightmares. In children, nightmares will usually wake a child from sleep and can be recalled... Read More