Sometimes the first sign is not sadness. It is withdrawing from friends, sleeping badly, feeling constantly tense or finding ordinary responsibilities unusually difficult.
Mental health conditions can affect thoughts, emotions, behaviour and physical wellbeing. They are health problems that deserve care, not evidence of a weak character. This guide covers several common or important conditions, but a symptom checklist cannot diagnose you.
Depression
Depression can involve persistent low mood, emptiness or a loss of interest in things a person normally enjoys. Other symptoms include changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, guilt, difficulty concentrating and thoughts of death or suicide.
For major depression, symptoms generally occur most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks and affect daily life. You do not need to wait two weeks to seek help if symptoms are severe or you feel unsafe.
Anxiety disorders
Anxiety becomes a disorder when fear or worry is persistent or excessive and interferes with life. Generalised anxiety disorder can involve difficult-to-control worry, restlessness, muscle tension, irritability and poor sleep.
Other anxiety disorders include social anxiety, specific phobias and panic disorder. A panic attack may involve intense fear, a racing heart or shortness of breath. New chest pain, fainting or severe breathing difficulty needs urgent medical assessment rather than an assumption that it is anxiety.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of unusually increased energy or activity with elevated or irritable mood, and often episodes of depression. During mania or hypomania, someone may need much less sleep, speak more rapidly, have racing thoughts or make unusually risky decisions.
These are sustained changes from the person’s usual behaviour, not simply everyday mood shifts. Mania can seriously affect judgement and may involve psychosis. Suspected mania needs prompt professional assessment.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
OCD can involve unwanted, distressing thoughts or images, called obsessions, and repetitive actions or mental rituals, called compulsions. Someone may repeatedly check a lock or silently repeat words to reduce distress.
OCD is much more than liking things tidy. Symptoms can consume time and interfere with daily activities. Unwanted intrusive thoughts do not, by themselves, mean someone wants to act on them.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
PTSD can develop after exposure to trauma. Symptoms may include unwanted memories or nightmares, avoiding reminders, feeling constantly on guard, and changes in mood or beliefs.
Many people experience distress after trauma without developing PTSD. Diagnosis considers the pattern, duration and impact of symptoms. Support is appropriate whenever someone is struggling, including before diagnostic time limits are reached.
Eating disorders
Eating disorders can involve severe restriction, binge eating with a sense of loss of control, or behaviours intended to compensate for eating. Some involve fear of eating or sensory difficulties rather than concerns about body shape.
They can affect people of any gender or body size, and physical appearance does not show how medically unwell someone is. Early specialist care matters. Fainting, severe weakness, dehydration or heart-related symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
Psychosis can involve hearing or seeing things others do not, strongly held beliefs that do not match shared reality, or markedly disorganised thinking. Schizophrenia may also affect motivation, emotional expression and concentration.
Psychosis can have several psychiatric or medical causes, so it requires assessment. A diagnosis does not define a person’s worth or mean they are inherently dangerous. Early treatment and ongoing support can make a meaningful difference.
How to ask for help
Talk with a primary-care clinician or qualified mental health professional if symptoms are persistent, distressing or affecting relationships, school, work or self-care. You can say: “This is different from how I usually feel, and it is affecting my daily life.”
Bring examples, a timeline and a list of medicines or substances you use. A clinician may check for physical conditions that can resemble mental health symptoms. Care may include psychological therapy, medication, practical support or a combination, depending on the condition and your preferences.
If you are thinking about suicide or self-harm, seek immediate support from a qualified professional or local crisis service. If you may act on those thoughts, cannot keep yourself safe, or someone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. Tell someone you trust and ask them to stay with you while help is arranged.
You do not have to choose the right diagnostic label before you deserve help.
Sources and further reading
- NIMH: Depression
- NIMH: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- NIMH: Panic Disorder
- NIMH: Bipolar Disorder
- NIMH: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- NIMH: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- NIMH: Eating Disorders
- NICE: Eating disorders, recognition and treatment
- NIMH: Schizophrenia
- NIMH: My Mental Health, Do I Need Help?
This article provides general education and does not replace individual assessment or emergency care.
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