Various types of psychological disorders affect people of every sex, age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. Leading mental health disorders can range from mild to severe, and like any medical condition, many factors can trigger illness. Those with the leading mental health disorders struggle to cope with everyday life because of their altered thinking, moods, or behaviors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50% of individuals will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. While there are many mental health disorders, some are more common than others.
What Are the Most Diagnosed Mental Disorders?
Have you ever wondered what the top mental health issues in the United States are? Provided below are 10 of the most common mental health disorders affecting American adults. There are, however, various types of psychological disorders that aren’t included in the list below.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group (or spectrum) of complex disorders characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors. ASD is a pervasive developmental disorder that delays the development of basic skills, like the ability to socialize, communicate, and develop independent living skills.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia — one of the most debilitating mental disorders — can cause people to have delusions, hallucinate, or show very little emotion. Individuals with schizophrenia can have difficulty thinking clearly, managing their emotions, making decisions, and relating to others. Although the disorder can occur at any age, the average onset tends to be in the late teens and early 20s for men and late 20s to early 30s for women.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is one of several mood disorders that leave people with emotions swinging from very high (manic) to hazardously low (depressive). The extremes are so severe that they can damage relationships, result in poor academic or work performance, and possibly lead to suicide. It’s estimated that 2.6% of the US population is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and more than 83% of those cases are severe. Most people with bipolar disorder are diagnosed by age 25.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by repetitive, unwanted obsessions and irrational, excessive urges for certain actions. Individuals with OCD often first experience symptoms in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Typically, symptoms will last more than an hour each day and will interfere with daily functioning.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders, some of the most common mental health disorders in the US, include OCD, panic attacks, and phobias. It is estimated that 40 million adults have an anxiety disorder. We all have anxiety at some point in our lives, but when feelings of intense fear and distress limit daily functioning, an anxiety disorder may be present.
Phobias
Anxiety disorders also come in the form of phobias. Social anxiety disorder, one of the top mental health issues in the US, occurs when everyday situations cause someone to become self-conscious and anxious. They spend days and weeks worrying about a single situation. As with panic disorder, social anxiety can lead to agoraphobia, sometimes causing the sufferers to become so overwhelmed with fear that they avoid activities or even refuse to leave their homes.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders can co-occur, making treatment for both disorders necessary. More than one in four adults with a severe mental health disorder, like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or a personality disorder, also have a substance use disorder. Individuals with a dual diagnosis must receive treatment for both issues.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are some of the common mental health disorders in the US and include bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others. These disorders are marked by extreme behaviors, which usually are rooted in complex biological and psychological causes, including depression and anxiety.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders cause individuals to have rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning, and behaving. An individual with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people, leading to significant problems in relationships, social activities, work, and school. Common personality disorders include antisocial personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders have varying degrees of severity and can be difficult to diagnose; however, they are some of the most common mental health disorders in the US. In addition to bipolar disorder, mood disorders include major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depression, one of the most debilitating mental illnesses, usually reoccurs throughout a person’s lifetime. Symptoms include fatigue, lack of focus, changes in appetite, and thoughts of suicide. People with dysthymia have symptoms that are less severe but longer-lasting — for periods of at least two years. Other forms of depression include seasonal affective disorder and postpartum depression.
Treatment for Mental Health Disorders at Pasadena Villa
For over 25 years, Pasadena Villa has treated mental health conditions and co-occurring SUD for all genders ages 18 and older, along with a specialty residential program for autistic clients. At Pasadena Villa, we treat the most common mental health disorders with therapeutic environments that promote well-being, recovery, and personal motivation. There are multiple levels of care and multiple therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), available to treat the most common psychological disorders at our Pasadena Villa treatment centers.
To learn more about the mental health residential treatment at Pasadena Villa, where we treat the most common psychological disorders, call us today or fill out our contact form. Most insurance plans are accepted; clients and their families can also pay privately.
Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463
