Types of Mental Illness
Mental health plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Just like physical health conditions, mental illnesses are real, diagnosable, and treatable. However, many people continue to suffer silently due to a lack of awareness or fear of stigma.
Dr. Sahil Kohli, Additional Director – Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, emphasizes the importance of understanding different types of mental illnesses to promote early diagnosis, compassionate support, and timely treatment.
What is Mental Illness?
Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect a person’s thinking, mood, behavior, and ability to relate to others or carry out daily activities. These disorders can vary in severity, duration, and impact.
Common Types of Mental Illness
Anxiety Disorders
These include conditions characterized by excessive fear or worry:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias (e.g., social phobia, agoraphobia)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Symptoms: Restlessness, rapid heartbeat, avoidance behaviors, obsessive thoughts, or flashbacks.
Mood Disorders
These disorders primarily affect a person’s emotional state:
- Major Depressive Disorder (Depression)
- Bipolar Disorder (episodes of depression and mania)
Symptoms: Persistent sadness, lack of energy, mood swings, irritability, and changes in sleep or appetite.
Psychotic Disorders
These include severe mental illnesses that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions:
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective Disorder
Symptoms: Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), delusions, disorganized thinking, social withdrawal.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Typically diagnosed in childhood but can persist into adulthood:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Learning Disorders
Symptoms: Difficulty in communication, focus, behavior control, or learning tasks appropriate for age.
Personality Disorders
Long-term patterns of thoughts and behaviors that differ significantly from societal expectations:
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Symptoms: Emotional instability, difficulty maintaining relationships, extreme sensitivity or detachment.
Eating Disorders
Mental health conditions that involve unhealthy eating habits and body image issues:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder
Symptoms: Extreme weight changes, fear of gaining weight, bingeing or purging behaviors.
Dementia and Cognitive Disorders
Often seen in older adults, these involve a decline in memory and thinking:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Vascular Dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia
Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, difficulty with language or problem-solving, personality changes.
When to Seek Help
If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms like persistent sadness, overwhelming fear, difficulty focusing, or changes in behavior or thinking—don’t ignore it. Mental illnesses are medical conditions, and just like physical ailments, they need expert care.
- Dementia
- Depression associated with chronic illness
- Anxiety due to epilepsy or migraines
- Behavior changes due to brain injury or stroke
Dr. Sahil Kohli’s Role in Mental Health
While neurologists primarily treat disorders of the nervous system, many neurological and psychiatric conditions overlap, especially in cases like:
Dr. Sahil Kohli collaborates with psychiatrists and psychologists to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to brain and mental health.
Conclusion
Mental illness is not a weakness—it's a health condition. With awareness, support, and expert care, recovery and management are absolutely possible. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking timely intervention can transform lives.
Your mind matters. Take the first step toward mental wellness. Book your appointment with Dr. Sahil Kohli today.