Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. According to the National Institute for Mental Health, among U.S. adults aged 18 or older in 2017, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States reported at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults. Further, the prevalence of major depressive episode was higher among adult females (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%), and the prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (13.1%).
Typical symptoms of depression include depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day; diminished pleasure in activities; significant weight loss; difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much; fatigue and/or loss of energy nearly every day; feelings of worthlessness; and recurrent thoughts of death.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States. It has been estimated by various studies that over 40 million adults in the U.S. have an anxiety disorder. Common anxiety disorders include Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder.
Typical symptoms of anxiety disorders include difficulty controlling worry; restlessness, feeling keyed up, or on edge; being easily fatigued; difficulty concentrating; elevated irritability; muscle tension; and sleep disturbance.
Bi-polar Disorder
While not as common as Depressive or Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar disorder experiences periods of mania and depression—which differ drastically from the typical ups-and-downs most people experience.
The National Institute for Mental Health estimates that 2.8% of U.S. adults had bipolar disorder in the past year, and that an estimated 4.4% of U.S. adults experience bipolar disorder at some time in their lives.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness believes “that the average age-of-onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood. The condition affects men and women equally, and that nearly 83% of cases classified as severe.”
Typical symptoms of mania include periods of sleeplessness that can last for many days; inflated self-esteem or grandiose thinking; impulsive behaviors such as lavish spending or risky sexual encounters; and racing thoughts.
Typical symptoms of depression include depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day; diminished pleasure in activities; significant weight loss; difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much; fatigue and/or loss of energy nearly every day; feelings of worthlessness; and recurrent thoughts of death.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop after a person has been exposed to an event that is more significant than a typical stressor. These may include, but are not limited to, violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, combat, and other forms of physical, emotional, and/or relational violence.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that approximately one half of all U.S. adults will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives, though most will not develop PTSD. NIMH also reports that 3.6% of U.S. adults met diagnostic criteria for PTSD in the past year, and that the prevalence of PTSD among adults was higher for females (5.2%) than for males (1.8%).
Typical symptoms of PTSD include persistent, frightening thoughts and memories of the event(s); frequent sleep difficulty; feeling detached or numb; being easily startled by loud noises or unexpected encounters. In severe forms, PTSD significantly impairs a person’s ability to function at work and at home, both socially and relationally.
