Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsClassificationsAnxiety DisordersMood DisordersOCD and Related DisordersPsychosesTrauma and Stress DisordersPersonality DisordersSleep DisordersEating DisordersSubstance Use DisordersFinding Support
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Classifications
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
OCD and Related Disorders
Psychoses
Trauma and Stress Disorders
Personality Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Eating Disorders
Substance Use Disorders
Finding Support
Psychological disorders—also called mental health conditions or mental disorders—are when a person has significant disturbances in how they think, feel, or behave. Psychological disorders can affect daily functioning and interpersonal relationships. The most common psychological disorders in the United States are anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Psychological disorders can be temporary or lifelong. Though challenging to live with, these conditions are treatable. In this article, learn more about psychological disorders.
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How Are Psychological Disorders Classified?
There are over 200 different types of psychological disorders.TheDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5) includes information and diagnostic criteria for all recognized psychological disorders, making it an essential resource for mental health professionals.Classifications within the DSM-5 are collections of multiple psychological disorders that share an overarching theme.
Anxiety disordersare a classification in the DSM-5 and the most common type of psychological disorder, affecting 19.1% of adults each year and 31.1% across their lifetime.For the most part, anxiety disorders are fear- or worry-related conditions.
To be classified as an anxiety disorder, this fear must be disproportionate to the situation and/or affect a person’s ability to function normally.
The 12types of anxiety disorderlisted in the DSM-5 are:
Treatment typically includes talk therapy (psychotherapy), medication, and lifestyle changes.
Depressive, Bipolar, and Other Mood Disorders
In previous editions of the DSM-5, there was a category calledmood disorders. In the fifth edition, however, the title mood disorders was removed, and it was divided into subcategories, including depressive disorders and bipolar disorders.
Depressive Disorders
Depressive disorders are one of the most common psychological disorders, with about 8.3% of adults in the United States experiencing at least one major depressive episode per year.People with depressive disorders experiencesymptomssuch as depressed mood, loss of pleasure, interest, and motivation, and physical symptoms, among others.
Depressive disorders include:
Treatments for depressive disorders include psychotherapy, antidepressant medications, and lifestyle changes.
Bipolar and Related Disorders
Bipolar disorder affects about 2.8% of adults in the United States each year.People with bipolar and related disorders experience extreme and unusual shifts in their emotions, mood, cognition, and activity levels. These include depressive episodes and manic episodes (extreme excitement or energy) at varying frequencies depending on the specific disorder.
Bipolar and related disorders include:
Treatment for bipolar and related disorders primarily includes psychotherapy and medication (including help adhering to a medication schedule). Additional treatments may consist ofelectroconvulsive therapy(ECT),repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS), and light therapy.
What Are the Differences Between Bipolar 1 and 2?
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
People with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders experience recurring and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the most common mental disorder in this category and is estimated to affect about 2% to 3% of people in the United States.
Types of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders include:
Treatment for OCD and related disorders usually includes a combination of psychotherapy and medication with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In rare cases, treatment may consist of neurosurgical methods like deep brain stimulation.
Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses
Schizophrenia affects less than 1% of adults in the United States each year and is considered a serious mental illness.
People with schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorders may experience three general types of symptoms, including:
The schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders classification includes eight disorders, which are:
Treatment for this type of mental disorder is vital and includes antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, education and support, and specialty programs such as coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment.
Paranoid Personality Disorder Treatment
Trauma- and Stress-Related Disorders
Trauma- and stressor-related disorders is a classification in the DSM-5 that is most well known for includingpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD). In the United States, about 1 in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD during their lifetime.
Types of disorders within this classification include:
Treatment consists of medications and psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) andexposure therapy, as well aseye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy(EMDR).
Personality disorders are when a person’s behavior and way of thinking and feeling significantly differ from cultural expectations and cause problems in their day-to-day functioning. People with personality disorders often find it challenging to relate to others.Approximately 9.1% of adults in the United States are diagnosed with a personality disorder in their lifetime.
Personality disorders are divided into three groups, or clusters, based on their symptoms.
Cluster A (odd/eccentric):
Cluster B (dramatic/erratic):
Cluster C (anxious/inhibited):
Other personality disorders:
Treatment primarily includes various types of psychotherapy, such asdialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, and more. Pyscho-education, lifestyle changes, and community support groups can also help. There are no medications approved to treat personality disorders. However, people living with a personality disorder may take medication to manage co-occurring symptoms like anxiety and/or depression.
Some people may be surprised thatsleep disordersare classified in the DSM-5 as mental health conditions. There are many sleep disorders, and they all relate to irregularity in a person’s sleep.
Types of sleep disorders include:
Types of feeding and eating disorders include:
Treatment for these conditions involves psychotherapy and behavioral programs with professionals trained in managing eating disorders. These programs are available either in an inpatient rehabilitation center or within the community. People with eating disorders also see registered dietitians to address nutrition deficiencies and more.
Substance-related and addictive disordersis a classification within the DSM-5 that includes over 50 different conditions, all relating to addiction or misuse of certain substances leading to life-impairing symptoms.
The disorders are categorized based on the type of substance being used. Substances include:
Treatment for these disorders is a bit different in that it typically includes a detoxification or rehabilitation facility and specialized treatment to help the person safely discontinue the use of the substance, in addition to psychotherapy and/or medication. However, treatment varies based on the substance.
Alcohol and Depression: Understanding the Connection
How to Learn More and Find Support
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, consider talking to a trusted healthcare provider. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing symptoms and returning to your daily life.
National resources for mental health support include:
Consider also looking for support groups, charities, and other resources in your community.
What Is Mental Health Counseling?
Summary
Mental health conditions affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves and can make it more difficult for the person to function in their daily life and maintain relationships with themselves and others. The most common psychological disorders are anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but there are over 200 recognized conditions listed in the DSM-5.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Moreland-Capuia A, Vahabzadeh, A, Gillespie C, Ressler K.Fear-related anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder.Neurobiology of Brain Disorders. Published online January 1, 2023:811-824. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-85654-6.00005-8
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American Psychiatric Association.What are personality disorders?.
National Institute of Mental Health.Personality disorders.
National Library of Medicine.Sleep disorders.
American Psychiatric Association.What are eating disorders?.
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