Mental Illness - Types, Causes and Symptoms

This blog is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice or diagnosis. If you have health concerns, consult an AHPRA-registered telehealth doctor or request a medical certificate online if clinically appropriate. Please note: Hola Health does not currently offer Mental Health Care Plans.

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Overview

Welcome aboard on an eccentric quest to the spellbinding world of mental health! In opposition to popular belief, mental illness isn’t a dark chasm but rather a vivid symphony of human experiences. According to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 8.5 million Australians have experienced a mental illness at some point in their lives. Let’s commence this adventure with eagerness and empathy, shall we?

What is mental illness?

Mental illness is a health issue that affects an individual’s thoughts, behaviours, and emotions, often hindering their capability to perform everyday tasks. Mental illness can cause distress within the mind, manifesting disturbing cues such as persistent sadness, unreasonable concerns, and a mispresented understanding of reality. However, it’s essential to recognise that mental illness is not an individual flaw or a mark of inadequacy; rather it is an intricate correlation of genetic, physical, and environmental factors. Sensitivity and understanding are essential in navigating the challenges posed by mental disorders.

What are the types of mental illness?

Mental illness covers a wide spectrum of conditions, each with its distinct characteristics and symptoms. Here is a deeper dive into some of the most common types:

Anxiety disorders:

Anxiety disorders are marked by excessive fear, worry, nervousness, or a range of physical and emotional reactions that can disturb daily life. Individuals may experience extreme restlessness, irritability, and physical symptoms such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, or muscle tension. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health disorders including generalised anxiety disorders (GAD), social phobias, specific phobias, and panic disorders. According to a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 1 in 6 Australians have an anxiety disorder such as social phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder. Successful psychological treatments depend on age and intensity.

Bipolar disorder:

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where emotions swing between really high times called “mania” and really low times are known as “depression”. During the manic phase, individuals may experience impulsive behaviour, overblown self-regard, and swift thinking, while depressive episodes may bring weariness, despair, and deep emptiness. It is estimated that approximately 2.2% of Australians live with a form of bipolar disorder. This disorder can disturb interpersonal connections, careers, and daily activities, yet with appropriate treatment and care, individuals can learn to navigate the complexities of this disorder with stability and resilience.

Eating disorder:

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions marked by disturbances in eating patterns, weight regulation, and body image. Global Lifetime prevalence of any eating disorder ranges from 0.74-2.2% in males and 2.58-8.4% in females. Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder can have destructive psychological and emotional repercussions if left untreated. Individuals with anorexia nervosa usually have an extreme fright of gaining weight and may limit their food consumption severely leading to serious weight loss and malnutrition. Bulimia nervosa involves bouts of excessive eating followed by compensatory actions such as too much exercise to avoid weight gain. Binge-eating disorder is characterised by frequent rounds of overindulgence, often accompanied by feelings of guilt and shame. Eating disorders affect people of all age groups, backgrounds, and genders. Early intervention and care are important for recovery and preventing other health complications.

Schizophrenia:

Schizophrenia is a complex and serious mental health disorder marked by significant impairments in thinking, perceptions, emotions, and behaviour. It affects one in 100 or between 150,000 and 200,000 Australians. Individuals with schizophrenia may experience persistent hallucinations, delusions, extreme agitation, reduced motivation, social withdrawal, or disorganised thinking. The outbreak of schizophrenia usually occurs in early adulthood and can have a severe impact on a person’s life. Treatment mostly involves a combination of psychotherapy, medications, and support services to help manage symptoms and improve overall health.

Neurodevelopmental disorder:

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) involve a group of conditions that in most cases manifest early in childhood and are characterised by deficits in cognitive function and conduct. The prevalence of NDDs in children aged 2-6 years ranged from 2.9% to 18.7% while children aged 6 to 9 years showed a 6.5% to 18.5%  prevalence of the nine NDDs. Conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability, and specific learning disorders are the most common. Each disorder has distinctive traits and challenges but usually involves learning, social interaction, behaviour regulation, and communication struggles. Although it’s hard to pin down the exact causes of these disorders, a combination of neurological, environmental, and genetic factors is thought to be involved. Timely identification and treatment are crucial for helping individuals with NDDs.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop after encountering a traumatic situation. According to the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, an estimated 11% of Australians experience PTSD in their life. Symptoms may include extreme anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive memories, and uncontrollable thoughts. People suffering from PTSD often feel disconnected from others, have difficulty concentrating, and may experience irritability. It can affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds.

Depression:

Depression is an intense mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and diminishing interest. It can impact your thoughts, emotions, and day-to-day activities. Symptoms of depression may include poor concentration, sleep disturbances, fatigue, changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt. Depression can be caused by a combination of psychological, biological, and genetic factors. Seeking professional help is crucial for managing depression effectively.

Dissociation and dissociative disorder:

Dissociation is a mental health condition where an individual detaches from their thoughts, feelings, or personal identity. It is a psychiatric disorder diagnosed in about 1.5% of the global population. It is a psychological defence mechanism that the mind recruits to handle overwhelming stress or trauma. Dissociation can manifest in several ways such as experiencing amnesia, having a distorted perception of reality, or feeling disconnected from one’s body. Dissociative disorders are conditions defined by continuous and recurrent episodes of dissociation that severely disturb a person’s functioning and daily life. Examples include dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, and derealisation disorder. Treatment for dissociative disorders usually involves therapy and counselling.

What are the symptoms of mental illness?

Symptoms of mental illness can differ greatly depending on the specific condition, circumstances and other factors. However, here is a list of some of the most common signs and symptoms:

• Lack of motivation
• Feeling sad
• Irritability or mood changes
• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Significant changes in appetite
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Having illogical thoughts
• Extreme feelings of guilt
• Lack of energy
• Excessive anger
• Poor concentration
• Inability to handle daily problems
• Detachment from reality
• Paranoia or hallucination
• Not maintaining personal hygiene
• Having suicidal thoughts

What causes mental illness?

The causes of mental illness are multifaceted and complex. They can include a combination of biological, environmental, psychological, and genetic factors. Some examples of these factors are listed below:

• Genetic factors: Genetics plays a crucial role in exposing individuals to these conditions. Having a familial connection to mental illness can raise the probability of developing a mental illness. Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia tend to run in families.
• Biological factors: Instabilities in brain chemistry such as neurotransmitter levels, can lead to the development of mental illness. 
• Environmental factors: Some underlying medical conditions or hormonal changes can cause mental health problems.
• Psychological factors: Personality traits such as perfectionism or low self-esteem, poor coping mechanisms and thought patterns, can influence mental health. For example, individuals who are inclined towards perfectionism may be more prone to anxiety disorders, while those with inadequate coping abilities may be at a higher risk of depression.
• Social factors: Socioeconomic conditions, cultural upbringing, and access to resources can also affect mental health.
• Substance abuse: Substance abuse, including drugs, alcohol, and prescription medicines can aggravate mental health problems. They have the power to alter brain chemistry and increase the risk of developing conditions like anxiety, psychosis, and depression.
• Trauma and stress: Traumatic experiences, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, natural disasters, sudden loss of a loved one, or significant stress, may elevate the risk of developing mental illness.

When to seek help?

Knowing when to seek help for mental illness is important for maintaining well-being. If you are experiencing prolonged feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or sadness that disturb your everyday life, it’s essential to reach out to a mental health professional. Additionally, if you notice considerable changes in your behaviour such as difficulty concentrating, increased agitation, or engaging in risky behaviours, seeking help is imperative. Moreover, if you are grappling with stress or trauma, seeking professional guidance can offer beneficial tools and techniques to overcome these challenges. Reaching out for help early can lead to productive care and a better quality of life.