Mental health conditions

Most of us experience anxiety at some point in our lives. Coping and self-care skills usually work to manage those feelings, but when anxiety continues at a level that interferes with your ability to get things done or maintain healthy relationships, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder.

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania where a person feels extremely “up” — full of energy, elated, sometimes euphoric — and depressive periods where they feel sad, apathetic and hopeless. If unaddressed, this condition can severely interfere with daily life and well-being but is treatable once diagnosed.

Depression, also known as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, is more than just everyday sadness or going through a tough time. It’s diagnosed as a medical condition when symptoms interfere with a person’s life for weeks or months. Depression is treatable, and there are ways to feel better.

Eating disorders are more than a lifestyle choice or form of dieting. They are serious, sometimes fatal conditions involving severe alterations in eating behaviors and harmful body image issues. Eating disorders are also treatable and recovery is possible.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) involves recurring thoughts, often uncontrollable, that can cause extreme distress and behaviors — or compulsions — that are repeated many times to help relieve that distress, such as handwashing, putting things in order, and repeatedly rechecking to make sure things are locked or turned off.

Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing an event that’s so shocking, scary or dangerous, their mind is unable to process it. Examples include natural disasters, accidents, sexual assault, violence, war and abuse. Untreated PTSD can interfere with a person’s ability to fully function.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) — previously called substance abuse and/or addiction — occurs when alcohol or drug use contributes to health issues or interferes with work, school or home life. Substance misuse is associated with long-term health consequences, increased risk of suicide and fatal overdoses.