Mental health diagnoses can feel overwhelming—especially when they’re new or unclear. Whether you’re trying to understand a loved one’s behavior or preparing for a treatment conversation, knowing the basics about different mental health conditions can help guide your next steps.
This page outlines many of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders, what they look like, and when to seek help.
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Chronic, excessive worry about everyday life, often accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems.
Panic Disorder
Recurring panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear or physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness—without a clear trigger.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Extreme fear of social situations, often leading to avoidance of public speaking, group settings, or even one-on-one conversations.
Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder (Depression)
Persistent sadness, lack of motivation, sleep and appetite changes, and feelings of worthlessness that last more than two weeks and interfere with daily life.
Bipolar Disorder (Type I & II)
A condition marked by mood swings between depression and mania (or hypomania). Manic phases include impulsive behavior, high energy, and racing thoughts.
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia
A chronic brain disorder that affects thinking, perception, and behavior. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and emotional flatness.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Combines features of schizophrenia with mood disorder symptoms, such as depression or mania.
Trauma-Related Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and hypervigilance.
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
Results from prolonged exposure to trauma (e.g., childhood abuse). It includes PTSD symptoms along with emotional dysregulation, negative self-perception, and difficulty with relationships.
Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Involves intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) that are performed to reduce anxiety.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in physical appearance, often leading to excessive grooming, mirror checking, or avoidance.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A developmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior. Can range from high-functioning to more intensive support needs.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Marked by inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily life or academic/work performance.
Substance-Induced Disorders
THC-Induced Psychosis
Heavy or high-potency marijuana use—especially in young adults—can trigger psychotic symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions.
Alcohol or Drug-Induced Mood/Psychotic Disorders
Certain drugs can mimic or trigger psychiatric symptoms, including depression, mania, or full-blown psychosis, especially during use or withdrawal.
Personality Disorders
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, fear of abandonment, and intense but unstable relationships.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Marked by a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Often hides deep insecurity.
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)
Disregard for others’ rights, manipulation, impulsivity, and lack of remorse. Often associated with a history of rule-breaking or legal problems.
Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Intense fear of gaining weight and distorted body image leading to severe restriction of food intake and dangerously low body weight.
Bulimia Nervosa
A cycle of binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, exercise) to avoid weight gain.
Binge Eating Disorder
Frequent episodes of consuming large amounts of food with feelings of loss of control and guilt—without purging.
When to Seek Help
A diagnosis is not a life sentence—but it is a signal to get support. If you’re concerned about a loved one’s behavior, emotions, or safety, early intervention can prevent crisis and improve outcomes.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Speaking with a mental health professional can help clarify what’s going on and what to do next.
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