Mental Health Terminology

This guide offers a clear overview of key mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia, outlining their symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options.

Depression

An estimated 21.0 million adults in the United States, or 8.3% of the population, have
experienced at least one major depressive episode. With proper treatment, 70% to 80% of
those with major depressive disorder can achieve significant symptom relief. While many
individuals with this condition may appear outwardly normal, they often experience symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in weight, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, and recurrent thoughts of death. Although everyone has days of feeling sad, if these symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day, for more than two weeks, and lead to a noticeable change in daily functioning, they may indicate depression. Treatment typically involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders cause excessive fear or worry. There are several anxiety disorders:
generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder involves
persistent and excessive worry that interferes with daily activities. Panic disorder causes more physical feelings of distress. Social anxiety often causes people to worry or feel self-conscious in social situations or when meeting new people. Common symptoms of anxiety include: rapid heart beat, sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and fear of dying. Once a physical condition has been ruled out, anxiety may be treated with either therapy, medication or a combination of both treatments.

Other anxiety disorders include OCD, PTSD, panic disorder, agoraphobia.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder includes several types, with Bipolar I and Bipolar II being the most prevalent. Individuals with Bipolar I experience full-blown mania, while those with Bipolar II experience a less severe form of mania known as hypomania. Comorbidities, or the presence of additional conditions, are common in bipolar disorder. Over half of those diagnosed with either type of bipolar disorder also experience anxiety, and many may engage in substance use, often as a form of self-medication, which can exacerbate other symptoms.

Both Bipolar I and II involve alternating phases of illness, characterized by the highs of
hypomania or mania and the lows of major depression. Common symptoms of hypomania or mania include inflated self-esteem, reduced need for sleep, increased talkativeness, heightened goal-directed activity, racing thoughts, and participation in potentially harmful activities. While hypomania may not always disrupt daily functioning and can sometimes be perceived as enjoyable, it is important to recognize that both types of mania can have serious consequences and may lead to significant difficulties if left untreated.

ADHD

ADHD is frequently first identified in school-aged children when symptoms begin to affect
learning or behavior in the classroom. Although it is commonly diagnosed in children, ADHD can also be diagnosed in adults. The disorder is classified into three types: inattentive type, hyperactive type, and combined presentation.

Symptoms of ADHD include:

• Difficulty sustaining attention
• Failure to follow through on tasks
• Challenges with organizing tasks
• Avoidance of tasks requiring sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework)
• Easily distracted
• Excessive talking
• Difficulty sitting still or fidgeting
• Impulsive behaviors

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, ADHD-specific questionnaires, and a psychological assessment. Effective treatment often includes behavioral parent training (BPT), behavioral classroom management (BCM), and medication.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects how individuals think, feel, and behave, often becoming apparent
between the ages of 16 and 30. While the condition can run in families, having a relative with schizophrenia does not guarantee that others in the family will also develop it.

Schizophrenia alters one’s perception of reality, leading to symptoms such as distorted perceptions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, emotional flatness, and paranoia.

Treatment for schizophrenia aims to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning, primarily through the use of antipsychotic medications.