Mental Health 101: 10 Common Types of Mental Health Conditions

Mental illness and mental health issues are very common in today’s modern society. Your mental health will go through peaks and valleys throughout the course of your life, and experiencing poor mental health is a very normal part of living. One in five Australians (about 4 million people) experience some type of mental illness every year. Poor mental health can affect anyone at any time, it is absolutely not a sign of weakness. 

If you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health condition, you are not alone. There are millions of other people experiencing the same thing as you, and fortunately, support is also available. 

Mental health is becoming less taboo of a topic than it was a few years ago. However, there are still many myths and misunderstandings about mental health in Australia. This article will cover some of the most common types of mental health conditions in Australia, their risk factors, signs, and symptoms. We’ll also explore support and treatment options so that you or a loved one can continue to live as fulfilling and normal a life as possible.

What is mental health?

Despite increasing conversation and attention around mental health issues, the term mental health is frequently misunderstood. When people talk about mental health, they are often describing mental or mood disorders like depression or anxiety. However, the formal definition for mental health from the World Health Organization is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”

Mental health is not just about what is going wrong, but what it working well. We all rely on our mental health and resilience to cope with life’s challenges. However, at some stage in our lives, many of us will experience the impacts of poor mental health. This could be something we experience ourselves, or we could support a friend, family member, or someone we provide care for with a mental health condition. 

Mental health problems are common in Australia – almost half of the population reports experiencing at least one mental disorder as some stage in their lives. Some of the most common mental health and mood disorders in Australia are depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

You can experience a mental health condition at any stage of your life. However, these disorders appear most often in mid-late adolescence. Young Australians aged 18-24 years have the highest rates of mental illnesses of any age group. Women are also slightly more at risk of most of the main types of mental health conditions than men. 

Even though mental illnesses are more common in younger people, they also affect older Australians. Many older people experience mental health issues in later life, which can be a result of:

• Becoming more frail and losing independence
• Experiencing physical illnesses
• Grief and loss of friends and family
• Financial stress
• Increasing physical or social isolation.

No matter what stage of life you are in, it is so important to take good care of your mental health. Poor mental health and mental illness can affect a person’s mood, thoughts, behaviours, and perceptions of the world around them. Mental illness can be temporary or long-term and range in severity from very mild to extremely debilitating. Serious mental health conditions can affect a person’s ability to engage in their normal lives, including their jobs, relationships, and everyday tasks of living.

What are the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions?

All mental health disorders have different symptoms, and each person may experience different symptoms for the same condition. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosing mental health conditions, but research has found some common warning signs to look for. If you notice drastic changes in a person’s mood, behaviour, or thoughts, it could signify they are experiencing poor mental health. These changes can happen gradually or suddenly and may start to impact their ability to do things they had no issue with previously. 

Here are some of the signs and symptoms to look for that may indicate a mental health condition:

• Extreme dieting can be a warning sign of eating disorders
• Hearing voices that no one else can hear
• Feeling hopeless after having a baby can be a sign of post-natal depression
• Excessive worry and fears can indicate anxiety disorders
• Lasting sadness or low mood can indicate depressive disorders
• Unusual or illogical thoughts
• Unreasonable anger or irritability
• Inability to follow conversations
• Poor memory and concentration
• Sleeping more or less than normal
• Eating more or less than normal or appetite changes
• Lacking motivation for usual activities
• Becoming more socially withdrawn
• Substance use, including illicit drugs, prescribed medicines and alcohol
• Feeling that life is no longer worth it
• Experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation
• Neglecting personal responsibilities and/or personal hygiene
• Declining performance at school or work
• Becoming obsessed with particular topics, such as death or religion.

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, it’s important to reach out for help. Beyond Blue provides information, advice, and support for anyone in Australia experiencing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. They can offer you telephone counselling or advice for supporting a friend or loved one to get the help they need. Mental health is serious but treatable, and with the proper support, most people can turn things around and get back on track to leading healthier, happier lives.

10 common types of mental health disorders

Mental health conditions are complex and diverse – over 300 specific mental disorders are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 is the current version of the handbook used by mental health professionals to assess and diagnose mental health conditions. 

Some of the most common types of mental health disorders include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar affective disorder
• Dissociation and dissociative disorders
• Eating disorders
• Obsessive-compulsive disorders
• Paranoia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosis
• Schizophrenia.

What causes mental health and mood disorders?

Every person’s experience with mental illness is unique, and it is not known exactly why some people experience mental health disorders, and others do not. However, some potential causes of mental illnesses and disorders can include the following.

1. Genetic factors

Having a close family member with a mental illness can increase your risk. However, just because a relative has a mental health disorder does not mean you are guaranteed to have it.

2. Drug and alcohol abuse

Some drugs can trigger mental health events such as a manic episode (bipolar disorder) or an episode of psychosis. Some drugs like cocaine, amphetamines, and marijuana can cause paranoia. 

3. Other biological factors

Hormonal changes and some medical conditions can trigger the onset of mental health disorder symptoms.

4. Trauma and stress

Negative experiences in childhood or adulthood can cause certain mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

5. Individual personality factors

Some personality traits, like low self-esteem or perfectionism, can increase the likelihood of developing some mood and mental health disorders.

It is never the individual’s fault that they develop poor mental health. It is important to reassure and support people with mental ill health so that they can start to recover. Isolation and stigma can worsen mental health outcomes and make people avoid seeking treatment. Never make assumptions or judgements about people with poor mental health. 

Risk factors for mental health conditions

No single cause guarantees a mental illness will occur. However, several factors from our social, physical, and emotional environment can contribute to developing a mental health condition. These factors are often categorised into risk factors or protective factors. Risk factors are things that negatively impact a person’s mental health and may increase the risk of developing a mental health disorder. Some common examples of mental health risk factors include:

• Genetic predisposition 
• Homelessness and unemployment
• Alcohol and other drug use
• Discrimination and racial injustice
• Family conflict or family disorganisation
• Stressful life events.

Protective factors strengthen a person’s mental health and increase their ability to cope with challenges in their lives. Protective factors can reduce your risk of developing a mental health condition, or they might reduce the severity and duration you experience. Common examples of mental health protective factors are:

• Social support and inclusion
• Physical activity levels
• Material support and access to resources
• Personal attributes, such as the ability to cope with stress, solve problems and face adversity
• Physical health status 
• Healthy behaviours.

Even if you do everything right, and have all of the above protective factors, you can still experience mental health disorders. Never assume you can “tell” if someone is experiencing mental ill health or that you know what someone with a mental health condition looks like. Mental health issues can affect anyone, so always practice kindness and compassion with others and with yourself. 

How are mental illnesses and disorders diagnosed?

Unlike physical illnesses, mental health disorders usually can’t be diagnosed with medical examinations and tests like blood tests and brain scans. Mental illnesses are usually diagnosed by talking to your doctor in detail about your symptoms. You may undergo an assessment process, where they ask questions about your mood, thoughts, and behaviours. You may require a referral to a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist, to confirm a suspected diagnosis. Diagnosing mental illnesses can be complex and time-consuming because many symptoms of different mental health conditions closely mimic one another. Be patient and kind to yourself while undergoing a mental health assessment, and feel free to bring a trusted friend or support person with you for assistance. 

How are mental illnesses treated?

With proper treatment, most people with mental health conditions lead fulfilling, productive, and happy lives. Most mental illnesses are treatable, though not entirely curable. Treatment is often focussed on improving symptoms and increasing independence and ability to lead a normal life. Treatment will depend on the type and severity of the mental health diagnosis, personal circumstances and treatment preferences. 

1. Psychological therapy

Mental illnesses can be treated with various types of psychotherapy, including supportive therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, and group, couple, and family therapy.

2. Medications

Some mental illnesses are effectively managed with medications. The most commonly prescribed medicines are antidepressants, which can be used for anxiety or depression. Mood stabilisers are used for bipolar disorder, and antipsychotic medications are used for schizophrenia or psychosis.

3. Lifestyle changes

Certain lifestyle factors, like avoiding drugs and alcohol, exercising, and eating a healthy diet can help improve mental illness symptoms. Getting enough sleep and managing stress is also important for promoting good mental health. 

4. Complimentary therapies

Practising mindfulness, meditation, and other complementary therapies can support people in recovering from mental health conditions.

How can mental health disorders be prevented?

Certain lifestyle, thinking, and social factors can help prevent mental illnesses from occurring or prevent them from becoming more severe. These factors include: 

• Seeking help from a mental health professional as soon as symptoms occur
• Having a supportive community, including family and friends
• Having a strong sense of culture and identity 
• Taking good care of your physical health (including eating well and exercising)
• Minimising stress where possible
• Practising optimism and gratitude
• Developing coping mechanisms for times when life becomes challenging
• Practising self-compassion and not judging yourself for the struggles you face.

Seeking help is the bravest and most important step to take if you are experiencing signs and symptoms of mental ill health. You can call your family doctor or general practitioner for initial assessment, support, and referrals to appropriate specialists. If you are experiencing an emergency, always dial triple zero (000). If you or a loved one is experiencing a personal crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Some other helpful government organisations that can provide mental health telephone support include:

• Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36)
• SANE Australia (1800 18 72 63)
• Panda (for new, expecting, and growing families) (1300 72 63 06)
• Mind Australia (1300 28 64 63)
• MensLine Australia (1300 78 99 78)
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 18 00)
• Suicide Call Back Service (1300 65 94 67)
• QLife (anonymous support for the LGBTQIA+ community) (1800 18 45 27).

How Homage can support people struggling with their mental wellbeing 

Homage’s team of friendly, compassionate, and highly trained Care Professionals are ready to support you or a loved one experiencing poor mental health. Our professional caregivers can provide companionship and support with activities of daily living from the comfort of their own homes. We can also support you to get out and about to increase your participation in your local community or assist with transportation to medical and mental health appointments.

Managing a mental health condition is challenging enough without trying to do it all alone. Everyone’s care needs are unique. We would love to understand your and your loved ones’ needs to develop a personalised care plan. Leave your contact details and we will be in touch.