Mental health conditions

Mental health conditions

Definitions

This page lists the most common mental health conditions.  The information is meant as a guide only and does not constitute medical advice. For links to more information, leaflets and websites on the condition search for “mental health conditions” on www.wlnhs.uk (opens new window).

ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
This describes the problems of children who are overactive and have difficulties concentrating.

Alcohol addiction
Most people drink alcohol moderately and on a social basis; however for some people it can come to dominate daily life and have a negative impact on their life.

Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. During the course of the disease 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the brain, leading to the death of brain cells.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that over time more parts of the brain are damaged and symptoms become more severe.

Anorexia nervosa
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which people use destructive eating patterns in an attempt to gain control over their lives.

People with anorexia develop of fear of becoming fat to the extent that they avoid eating as much as possible. The need to control their weight means that food can become the central issue of their lives.

Anxiety disorders
Everyone experiences anxiety now and then, but for some people it can severely affect their way of life.

Anxiety is a mixture of physical and psychological symptoms and can be confused with stress. People don't always know why they are feeling anxious but may find that they have difficulty concentrating, lose their patience easily and think constantly about the worst outcome.

Autism
This is a disorder, which normally appears within the first three years of life, and may result in learning difficulties, speech problems and difficulty relating to people.

Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
In bipolar disorder, people experience intense mood changes which are far more severe than the usual highs and lows of life.

During a manic phase, people feel highly energetic and tend to become hyperactive, embarking on unrealistic schemes or projects.

In the depressive phase people experience feelings similar to other forms of depression, such as low energy and feelings of guilt and despair.

Bulimia nervosa
Bulimia is an eating disorder in which people use destructive eating patterns in an attempt to gain control over their lives.

People with bulimia alternate between binge eating and purging by self-induced vomiting or the abuse of laxatives and diuretics.

Dementia
Dementia is a condition in which there is a gradual loss of brain function.

The main symptoms are usually loss of memory, confusion, problems with speech and understanding, and changes in behaviour.

Depression
Everyone feels miserable or sad at some point, but for some people these feelings don't go away quickly and become so bad that they interfere with their everyday life.

The main symptoms of depression are feeling low, sleep problems, loss of appetite, concentration and energy.

Drug misuse / addiction
See substance misuse

Manic depression
See bipolar disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Many of us have daily 'rituals' and routines, but for some people the urge to do or think certain things repeatedly can dominate their lives.

About 1 in 50 people suffer from OCD at some point in their lives, men and women equally.

Personality disorders
A personality disorder describes someone who has severe disturbances of their character and behaviour. The thought patterns and behaviours cause distress to the person or to those around them.

Phobias
A phobia is an irrational and intense fear of a situation or object.

Psychosis
The word psychosis describes a group of conditions that affect the mind and to some extent mean that the person loses contact with reality. A person may hear voices or experience images and sensations which have no apparent cause.

Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is used to describe a mental state in which a person can't distinguish their own thoughts, ideas and imaginings from reality. People who experience schizophrenia do not have a split personality, nor are they necessarily violent.

Schizophrenia is a very misunderstood illness that has been the subject of many misleading media reports.

Substance misuse / dependence
Substance misuse harms a person's health. Dependence occurs when there is physical and/or psychological addiction and the person will have withdrawal symptoms if they do not use the substance. Their lives become dominated by using the substance.

Substances can be legal (alcohol, tobacco and solvents) or illegal (cannabis, heroin, cocaine etc).