Notable mental health disorders and how to spot them

Mental health disorders are more common than people may realize. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness each year. Such data indicates that mental health issues do not discriminate. Indeed, anyone, regardless of who they are or where they live, can experience a mental health problem or illness.

The NAMI notes that mental health conditions are not the result of a single event. Researchers have linked mental health conditions to genetics, environment and lifestyle. Mental health conditions also can be as different as the people who experience them, which is why it can benefit anyone to learn about some notable disorders and how to spot them.

Anxiety disorders

The NAMI reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the U.S., affecting more than

40 million adults across the country. Though there are various types of anxiety disorders, they all share one unique characteristic: a persistent and excessive fear or worry in nonthreatening situations. Emotional symptoms of anxiety disorder include feelings of apprehension or dread; feeling tense or jumpy, restlessness or irritability; and anticipating the worst and looking out for signs of danger. Physical symptoms may include a pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath; sweating, tremors and twitches; headaches, fatigue and insomnia; and upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder produces dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. Bipolar disorder causes extremely high (mania) and low (depression) moods. The NAMI reports that 83 percent of bipolar disorder cases are classified as severe. During an episode