Anxiety Disorders – are the most common category of mental disorders in the general population. The estimated lifetime chance of developing an anxiety disorder is almost 28%, and approximately 18% of the U.S. population will develop an anxiety disorder in any one year. Brief, mild to moderate anxiety as a response to certain life situations is normal. Minor everyday occurrences can trigger feelings of anxiety, e.g., running late for an appointment, interviewing for a job, or buying a house, but such feelings are typically directly related to an event and relieved shortly after the event is over. Anxiety that persists with only vague or no apparent cause or that is so intense that it interferes with normal activities is not normal and can be a sign of an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobia. Each disorder has distinct symptoms.  

Bipolar and Related Disorders – The bipolar spectrum represents a group of disorders that cause extreme fluctuation in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function as the result of manic, hypomanic, and/or depressive episodes.

Major Depressive Disorders– Clinical depression is more than just feeling blue or down after a bad day at work or during a difficult period of life. Clinically depressed people can feel down, sad, or hopeless all the time, and can experience these symptoms:

  – Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

  – Lack of energy

  – Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

  – Persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt

  – Appetite loss or overeating

  – Restlessness or irritability

  – Thoughts of death or suicide

  – Difficulty thinking clearly, remembering or concentrating well enough to read or watch television

   These symptoms can be similar to grieving the death of a loved one. However, in depression, these feelings arise without a loss, or they last much longer than the usual cycle of grief. Depression may occur along with related conditions, such as  substance abuse,  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental and health disorders.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – (ADHD) is marked by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development. People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of the following types of symptoms:

  – Inattention – difficulty staying on task, sustaining focus, and staying organized, and these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.

  – Hyperactivity – the person may seem to move about constantly, including in situations when it is not appropriate, or excessively fidgets, taps, or talks. In adults, hyperactivity may mean extreme restlessness or talking too much.

  – Impulsivity – a person may act without thinking or have difficulty with self-control. Impulsivity could also include a desire for immediate rewards or the inability to delay gratification. An impulsive person may interrupt others or make important decisions without considering long-term consequences. 

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders – OCD is a common, chronic, and long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can occur when an individual has experienced a terrifying ordeal or event. People with PTSD often relive the experience through nightmares and flashbacks. Some individuals may detach emotionally to avoid reminders of the traumatic event, causing a feeling of being disconnected or estranged from family and friends. PTSD affects many areas of everyday life and relationships, including job instability, and marital or parenting issues.

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders – Schizophrenia Spectrum is a series of mental illnesses that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. These people may seem as though they have lost touch with reality which can be distressing to them and their families. The symptoms can make it difficult to participate in everyday activities, but effective treatments are available. Many people who receive treatment can engage in school or work, achieve independence, and enjoy personal relationships.