What is a Psychiatric Disorder?
There are many different psychiatric disorders with different characteristics. They are generally characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behavior, and relationships with others [1] World Health Organization. Psychiatric disorders are treatable. Moreover, the vast majority of individuals with psychiatric disorders continue to function in their daily lives with the right psychiatric disorders treatment.
Psychiatric disorders or mental disorders are conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. In addition, they may be occasional or long-lasting and chronic. As a result, psychiatric disorders can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. For one thing, these disorders create distress for the person experiencing these symptoms.
According to American Psychiatric Association [2] psychiatric disorder treatment is common among U.S. adults. In a given year:
- Nearly one in five (19 percent) U.S. adults experience some form of mental illness
- One in 24 (4.1 percent) has a serious mental illness
- One in 12 (8.5 percent) has a diagnosable substance use disorder
Who is at Risk of Developing Psychiatric Disorders?
At any one time, a diverse set of individual, family, community, and structural factors may combine to protect or undermine mental health. Although most people are resilient, people who are exposed to adverse circumstances – including poverty, violence, disability, and inequality – are at higher risk. Protective and risk factors include individual psychological and biological factors, such as emotional skills as well as genetics. Many of the risk and protective factors are influenced by changes in brain structure and/or function.
Are Psychiatric Disorders Brain Diseases?
Psychiatric disorders are disorders of the brain in the sense that the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors they involve are enabled by the brain—as all thoughts and behaviors are. And neuroscientists examining the structure and function of particular parts of the brain have found various differences, on average, between individuals who have psychiatric diagnoses and those who do not.
Diagnosing Psychiatric Disorders
People seek psychiatric help for various reasons. The problems can be sudden, such as a panic attack, frightening hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, or hearing “voices.” Or they may be more long-term, such as feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or anxiousness that never seem to lift or problems functioning, causing everyday life to feel distorted or out of control.
Psychiatry is the branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (an M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in mental health, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological problems. Psychiatrists can order or perform a full range of medical laboratory and psychological tests which, combined with discussions with patients, help provide a picture of a patient’s physical and mental state.
Types of Mental Health Professionals
Many types of mental health care professionals can help you achieve your recovery goals. These professionals work in inpatient facilities, such as general hospitals and psychiatric facilities, and outpatient facilities, such as community mental health clinics, schools, and private practices.
Psychiatrists are licensed medical doctors who have completed psychiatric training. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and monitor medications and provide therapy. Some have completed additional training in child and adolescent mental health, substance use disorders, or geriatric psychiatry.
Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or another specialty such as counseling or education. They are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health using clinical interviews, psychological evaluations, and testing. They can make diagnoses and provide individual and group therapy.
Counselors, Clinicians, Therapists. These master-level healthcare professionals are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health and use therapeutic techniques based on specific training programs. They operate under a variety of job titles—including counselor, clinician, therapist, or something else—based on the treatment setting.
Clinical Social Workers. Clinical social workers are trained to evaluate a person’s mental health and use therapeutic techniques based on specific training programs. They are also trained in case management and advocacy services.
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FREE 24/7 Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Services HotlinePsychiatric Disorder Statistics
Did you know that almost half of Americans experience a mental health problem in their lifetime? And about seven out of ten primary care doctors do not even have a high-quality treatment of psychiatric disorders referral for their patients. The reality is that about 18.5% of adults in the United States experience mental illness or psychiatric disorders.
Additionally, 18% of adults are suffering from anxiety disorders like PTSD, OCD, or specific phobias. These numbers show us that people are struggling with these issues and cannot always obtain quality help. Treatment of psychiatric disorders is not only a psychological issue, but it has become a major public and medical concern in the United States and around the world.
20%
In any given year, 20% of Americans will suffer from psychiatric disorders.
Source: CDC
4%
A significant mental illness or psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression, affects 4% of the population in the United States.
Source: CDC
50%
At some point in their lives, more than 50% of people will receive a diagnosis of a mental illness or psychiatric disorder.
Source: CDC
Understanding Psychiatric Disorders Facts
There are more than 200 types of psychiatric disorders. People can experience different types of mental illnesses or disorders, and they can often occur at the same time. Psychiatric disorders can occur over a short period of time or be episodic. This means that Psychiatric disorders comes and goes with discrete beginnings and ends. Psychiatric disorders can also be ongoing or long-lasting.
The following are the latest statistics available from the National Institute of Mental Health Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health:
- Mental health disorders also known as psychiatric disorders account for several of the top causes of disability in established market economies, such as the U.S. and worldwide. They include major depression (also called clinical depression), manic depression (also called bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- An estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older — about 1 in 4 adults — suffer from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder in a given year.
- Many people suffer from more than one psychiatric disorder at a given time. In particular, depressive illnesses co-occur with substance abuse and anxiety disorders and needs to be treated in a mental health and drug abuse treatment centers.
- Approximately 9.5% of American adults, ages 18 and over, will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year.
- Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. However, men and women are equally likely to develop bipolar disorder.
- While major depression can develop at any age, the average age at onset is the mid-20s.
- With bipolar disorder, which affects approximately 2.6% of Americans age 18 and older in a given year — the average age at onset for a first manic episode is during the early 20s.
- Most people who commit suicide have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder — most commonly a depressive disorder or a substance abuse disorder.
- Four times as many men than women commit suicide. However, women attempt suicide more often than men.
- The highest suicide rates in the U.S. are found in Caucasian men over 85. However, suicide is also one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and adults ages 15 to 24.
- Approximately 1% of Americans are affected by schizophrenia.
- In most cases, schizophrenia first appears in men during their late teens or early 20s. In women, schizophrenia often first appears during their 20s or early 30s. A women’s mental health inpatient treatment centers can help women struggling with mental health conditions.
- About 18% of people ages 18- 54 in a given year have an anxiety disorder in a given year. Anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and phobias (social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobia).
- Panic disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood.
- The first symptoms of OCD often begin during childhood or adolescence.
- GAD can begin at any time, though the risk is highest between childhood and middle age.
- Individuals with OCD frequently can have problems with substance abuse or depressive or eating disorders.
- Social phobia typically begins in childhood or adolescence.
Causes of Psychiatric Disorders
What are the causes of psychiatric disorders? Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. There is no single cause for psychiatric disorders. A number of factors can contribute to the risk of mental illness, such as
Biological and Personal Factors
- Genetics
- Pathogens
- Injuries
- Problems during gestation or birth
- Substance abuse
- Cognitive style
Environmental Factors
- Poor nutrition
- Exposure to toxins
- Stressful life events
- Chronic stress
- Culture
- Abuse
- Poverty
- War
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Hotline (855) 940-6125Psychological Disorders Symptoms
Symptoms of psychological disorders vary based on the specific disorder. However, mood and behavioral symptoms are common. Symptoms can be chronic and relapsing. Consequently, they can interfere with your ability to interact in society. Hence, some psychological disorders can also cause physical symptoms. For example, panic attacks associated with anxiety disorders may have symptoms that look and feel like a heart attack.
Common Symptoms of Psychiatric Disorder include:
- Agitation, hostility or aggression
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Alterations in energy levels
- Anxiety
- Confusion or disconnectedness
- Erratic behavior
- Irritability and mood changes
- Perception or thought process disturbances (psychoses), examples are hallucinations and delusions
- Persistent or abrupt mood changes that can interfere with day-to-day life
- Problem denial
- Social withdrawal
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Psychiatric Disorders List
Psychiatric disorders are commonly diagnosed during adolescence, but these conditions can begin at any point in the lifespan. Psychiatric disorders often occur alongside physical illnesses. Psychiatric disorders can be due to genetic factors or caused by substances (drugs/alcohol) or a medical condition (such as HIV).
There are many different types of mental disorders. Some common ones include:
- Anxiety disorders.
- Behavioral and emotional disorders in children.
- Bipolar affective disorder.
- Depression.
- Dissociation and dissociative disorders.
- Eating disorders.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Paranoia.
Most Common Psychiatric Disorders
The most common category of mental health disorders in America impacts approximately 40 million adults 18 and older. Anxiety disorders affect more than 22% of Americans, while mood disorders affect nearly 8%. These numbers don’t even include those impacted by substance abuse or eating disorders.
On the other hand, Mood disorder is very common, most of the population experiences mood swings that rise and fall throughout life. When a person is in a low mood it’s not uncommon for him or her to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and even thoughts of death or suicide. However, these feelings typically pass with time and good self-care practices such as getting enough sleep and eating well.
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Some Types of Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders Treatment
ADHD / ADD Treatments
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can lead to unstable relationships, poor work performance, depression, and substance abuse. Proper ADHD Treatment is attainable, therefore, early detection is a must.
Anxiety Treatments
Intense inpatient anxiety disorder treatment can offer invaluable help in handling anxiety’s produced vicious cycle of emotional distress. Anxiety can be difficult to treat. However, with proper specialist therapies, the individual should be able to get down to the root of their problem.
Anxiety disorder treatment can work best with a combination of therapy and anti-anxiety medications.
BPD Treatments
Psychotherapy is the first-line treatment for people with borderline personality disorder. Long-term inpatient psychotherapy is an important part of any treatment for BPD, BPD Inpatient Treatment program is staffed 24 hours a day by psychiatrists, nurses trained in BPD care plans, and masters-level clinicians specifically trained in BPD assessment techniques.
Depression Treatments
Depression symptoms may get in the way of your ability to function at work. Dealing with severe depression is never easy. And it is even more difficult when you’re also struggling with other co-occurring mental health problems. To effectively recover, individuals may need to seek treatment for multiple depression-created disorders simultaneously. A treatment plan that focuses on all issues may allow the patient to recover from the entirety of related disorders effectively.
Panic Attack Treatments
The most effective form of professional treatment for panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia is therapy. To simplify, treatment can help most people control or even stop attacks. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms. . But symptoms can come back, especially if you stop treatment too soon. Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder includes psychotherapy. Medicines may also help.
OCD Treatments
OCD is treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Although most patients with OCD respond to treatment, some patients continue to experience symptoms and look for an effective Psychiatric Disorders Treatment.
Postpartum Depression Treatment
Postpartum Depression Treatment starts with a diagnosis of postpartum depression is based on your symptoms and your medical and pregnancy history. It may help to talk through your concerns with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professionals.
Self-Harm Treatments
There are effective self-harm treatments that help a person to return to a productive life. Psychotherapy is important to any self-harm treatment plan. Hence, a person will need to learn new coping mechanisms. As an example of psychotherapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common. It involves sessions with a therapist to talk about thoughts and feelings.
PTSD Treatments
PTSD cannot be cured. However, it can be treated and managed in several ways. The principal PTSD treatment modality is psychotherapy. PTSD treatment medicines are just an alternative solution. PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. If you have PTSD, work with a professionally trained mental health clinician to find the best PTSD treatment for your symptoms. PTSD treatment modalities include therapy, psychotherapy, and, medicine.
Schizophrenia Treatments
If you have schizophrenia, it’s important to get Psychiatric Disorders Treatment as quickly as possible. Psychiatric Disorders Treatment with medicines and psychosocial support is effective. However, most people with chronic cases lack access to professional schizophrenia treatment. There is no known cure for schizophrenia, but it can be treated and managed in several ways, medication alone is not enough, and self-education is key.
Programs, services, and treatments vary. We Level Up rehab facilities do not provide EMDR therapy. Because patient stability should come prior to EMDR treatment. That’s why EMDR therapy to process trauma for patients actively drinking and abusing drugs should await their stability phase of treatment. EMDR phases 3 – 8 therapy is best enacted for patients that feel and experience a safer, trustful connection with their treatment team.
We Level Up rehab centers treat the entirety of behavioral health disorders including secondary corresponding illnesses to improve long-term recovery outcomes. Get a free substance abuse and or mental health assessment and find out what treatment options are most suitable for you. Call to learn more.
Trauma Treatment
Trauma treatment generally requires longer ongoing therapy beyond shorter inpatient treatment modalities. Therapy is the first-line treatment for trauma. Whereas an individual will work with a trauma-informed or trauma-focused therapist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) targets the negative thoughts associated with the traumatic experience; Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), individuals briefly relive specific traumatic experiences while the therapist directs their eye movements. It aims to help people process and integrate traumatic memories.
Mood & Personality Disorder Treatments
Psychotherapy is the primary form of mood and personality disorder treatment. Co-occurring disorders may require additional treatment beyond therapy. Medications may also help with various symptoms. In addition, family therapy sessions, aftercare support, and consistent treatment complete the holistic treatment approach. Psychiatric Disorders Treatment can help those with mood and personality disorders control their symptoms, avoid substance abuse, and focus on their well-being. These steps can all be part of a co-occurring integrated Mood and Personality Disorder Treatment modality.
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Psychological Disorders and Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety are closely related. However, one doesn’t necessarily directly cause the other. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research [3]. In most cases, it’s hard to determine which problem comes first. In other words, It can be a psychiatric disorder leading to the person’s substance abuse. Contrary to substance abuse starting before psychiatric disorder.
When drugs or alcohol are used to self-medicate psychiatric disorder symptoms, the disorder only becomes more severe. As a central nervous system depressant, alcohol and opiates can worsen depression and anxiety and interfere with normal sleep patterns.
Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
There are multiple psychiatric disorders treatments. Each may differ pursuant to the individual treated and their primary and any secondary mental health disorders. Generally, psychiatric disorders treatment may include:
- Psychotherapy, so that you can learn about your symptoms and their impact. In short, you will learn how to identify triggers and how to better control them.
- Self-management strategies, such as learning to self-calm and apply mindfulness, can be helpful to ground a person.
- Medications can help the symptoms of various psychiatric disorders treatments.
Class of Medications
- Antidepressants – used to treat depression, panic disorder, PTSD, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and eating disorders.
- Antipsychotic medications – used to treat psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations), schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
- Sedatives and anxiolytics – are used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
- Hypnotics – used to induce and maintain sleep.
- Mood stabilizers – are used to treat bipolar disorder.
- Stimulants – used to treat ADHD.
To learn more, about your or a loved one’s psychiatric disorders treatment options please call us 24/7. Our specialists at We Level Up FL Mental Health Center can provide a free psychiatric disorders treatment assessment so that you are empowered with suitable treatment programs for your situation.
Search We Level Up FL “Psychiatric Disorders Treatment, List, Causes, Symptoms & Types” Topics & Resources
Sources
Mental Health – CDC/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[2] Mental health: strengthening our response – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
[3] Mental Illness – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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[5] Manwell LA, Barbic SP, Roberts K, Durisko Z, Lee C, Ware E, McKenzie K. What is mental health? Evidence towards a new definition from a mixed methods multidisciplinary, international survey. BMJ Open in Pennsylvania mental health treatment centers. 2015 Jun 2;5(6):e007079. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007079. PMID: 26038353; PMCID: gabbard’s treatments of psychiatric disorders.
[6] National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). Common Mental Health Disorders: Identification and Pathways to Care and Mental health treatment in Mississippi. Leicester (UK): 2011. (mental health treatment plan goals and objectives pdf) 2, COMMON MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92254/
[7] Krystal JH, State MW. Psychiatric disorders: diagnosis to therapy. Mental health treatment for elderly Cell. 2014 Mar 27;157(1):201-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.02.042. PMID: 24679536; PMCID:
[8] National Institutes of Health (US); Biological Sciences Curriculum Study. NIH Curriculum Supplement Series [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institutes of Health (US); 2007. Information about Mental Illness and the Brain gabbard’s treatments of psychiatric disorders . Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20369/
[9] Malla A, Joober R, Garcia A. “Mental illness is like any other medical illness”: a critical examination of the statement and its impact on patient care and society. Mental health treatment centers Charleston SC J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015 May;40(3):147-50. DOI: 10.1503/jpn.150099. PMID: 25903034; PMCID:
[10] Mental Health Treatment & Addiction Rehab Center (welevelup.com)
