List of Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorder is an abnormality in behavior caused due to various factors ranging from social, environmental, physiological and even genetic makeup. Also known as mental disorders, they may also be caused due irreversible injuries to the head or on account of certain developmental abnormalities. Though there has been vast study of psychological disorders, their complete understanding has never been possible. Some argue mental illnesses have genetic roots, but there are many who debate otherwise.

List of Mental Disorders

Eating Disorders
Mental illnesses related to eating are seen in both, adults and children alike. An eating disorder is a symptom of an underlying psychological problem. Symptoms of eating disorders range from life-threatening weight loss to obesity related to compulsive eating. Addressing the root cause of eating disorder is more important than just watching what the patient is eating.

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
• Purging Disorder
• Rumination
• Diabulimia
• Eating Disorders (NOS)
• Pica Eating Disorder
• Night Eating Syndrome
• Orthorexia Nervosa

Mood Disorders
Disorders that cause a person's moods to oscillate between extremes are known as mood disorders. Bouts of depression, perpetual sadness, constant state of unhappiness, loss of appetite, change in sleep patterns, feelings of worthlessness and extended pangs of grief are some of the commonly seen symptoms. Medication combined with psychotherapy is the best treatment for such kind of psychological disorders.

• Acute Stress Disorder
• Postpartum Depression
• Affective Disorders
• Major Depressive Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Dysthymic Disorder
• Depressive Disorder NOS

Psychotic Disorders
Mental disorders of severe nature are known as psychotic disorders. These disorders cause the brain to think and perceive irrationally. Delusions, hallucinations, incoherent speech and disorganized thoughts are symptoms observed amongst persons suffering from these disorders. About 1% of the world suffers from psychotic disorders. With professional help and strict examination these disorders can be diagnosed. Antipsychotic medications and therapy help can help the patient get better.

• Catatonic Schizophrenia
• Disorganized Schizophrenia
• Hebephrenic Schizophrenia
• Delusional Disorder
• Brief Psychotic Disorder
• Substance-induced Psychotic Disorder
• Paraphrenia
• Shared Psychotic Behavior
• Dissociative Identity Disorder

Personality Disorders
Personality disorders refer to behavior that is characterized by abnormal behavior in social gatherings due to warped perceptions of reality. Weird patterns of behavior, feelings and sadistic thoughts are the symptoms of personality disorder. These signs can be seen as early as in adolescence. People suffering from these disorders do not seek help on their own. They look for relationship counseling and other superficial problems. These issues can cause problems with relationships, careers and problems in day-to-day lives as well. Given below is a list of the same.

• Paranoid Personality Disorder
• Personality Disorders NOS
• Schizoid Personality Disorder
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder
• Histrionic Personality Disorder
• Avoidant Personality Disorder
• Spilt Personality Disorder
• Multiple Personality Disorder
• Anankastic Personality Disorder
• Dependent Personality Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Antisocial Personality Disorder

Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are very commonly seen in adults and teenagers too. Behavior marked by panic, hurry, anxiety and fear over small situations relate to anxiety disorders. It causes the patient to be in a constant state of fear and unrest. A mild stressful event can also cause an extended pang of anxiety. If not treated in time, it can get worse and lead to other physical illnesses too. Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness, uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts, repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences, recurring nightmares, palpitations, shortness of breath, dry mouth, nausea, muscle tensions, dizziness and numbness are some of the commonly seen symptoms of anxiety related disorders.

• Social Anxiety
• General Anxiety Disorder
• Acute Stress Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Phobias

Impulse Control and Addiction Disorders
The irresistible urge to perform an action on an impulse without thinking of its consequence are known as impulse control and addiction disorders. Substance abuse, stealing and doing destructive things on the spur of a moment are examples of this category of psychological disorders. These acts are not planned, but are performed to satisfy immediate conscious wises.

• Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• Kleptomania
• Pyromania
• Pathological Gambling
• Trichotillomania

Children too are victims of some of aforementioned psychological disorders. Sadly a huge social stigma is associated with mental illnesses. For a lot of people it's embarrassing and humiliating to have a family member struck with a disorder as such. Treating these disorders takes unfaltering family support, care and attention. Early detection of the disorder, acceptance of the same and willingness to come out of it can help in curing the disorders.