Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with depression and other mental illnesses. People who have anxiety disorders struggle with intense and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, and/or panic. These feelings can interfere with daily activities and may last for a long time. Would you know the telling signs if it were to happen to you or someone you loved?
The signs could easily be taken lightly and go undiagnosed. Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Such conditions may be occasional or long-lasting (chronic) and affect someone’s ability to relate to others and function each day.
The Various Types of Mental Illnesses
1. Anxiety Disorders
Types: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
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Symptoms: Excessive worry, panic attacks, avoidance, intrusive thoughts, compulsions.
Typical Age of Onset:
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Children/Teens (6–18): Phobias, separation anxiety, social anxiety often appear.
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Young Adults (18–35): Panic disorder, GAD, PTSD may first emerge.
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Any Age: Trauma can trigger PTSD later in life.
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2. Mood Disorders
Types: Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (Type I & II), Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Symptoms: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, energy changes, mania/hypomania (in bipolar).
Typical Age of Onset:
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Late Teens–20s: Major depression and bipolar disorder often emerge.
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30s–40s: Some cases of recurrent depression develop.
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Elderly (60+): Depression linked to loss, medical conditions, or neurodegenerative disease.
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3. Psychotic Disorders
Types: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder.
Symptoms: Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech/behavior, impaired reality testing.
Typical Age of Onset:
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Late Teens–Early 20s (Males)
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Late 20s–Early 30s (Females)
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Rare after age 40.
4. Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Types: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Learning Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Communication Disorders.
Symptoms: Developmental delays, difficulties with attention, social communication challenges, and learning struggles.
Typical Age of Onset:
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Childhood (before 12): ADHD usually shows up.
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Early Childhood (before age 3): ASD signs appear.
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School Age (6–12): Learning disorders are often diagnosed.
5. Eating Disorders
Types: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder.
Symptoms: Extreme concern with weight/shape, food restriction, binging/purging, unhealthy eating patterns.
Typical Age of Onset:
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Adolescents–Young Adults (12–25): Peak onset for anorexia and bulimia.
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Adults (20–40): Binge eating disorder often emerges later.
6. Personality Disorders
Types: Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Avoidant Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder, etc.
Symptoms: Rigid, unhealthy patterns of thinking/behaving that cause distress or conflict.
Typical Age of Onset:
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Late Teens–Early 20s: Most diagnosed after personality traits become stable.
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Symptoms must be persistent over time (not just mood shifts).
7. Substance Use & Addictive Disorders
Types: Alcohol Use Disorder, Drug Use Disorders, Gambling Disorder.
Symptoms: Cravings, tolerance, withdrawal, continued use despite harm.
Typical Age of Onset:
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Teens–20s: Most substance use disorders begin.
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Can persist or reappear at any age.
8. Neurocognitive Disorders (Usually Later Life)
Types: Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia.
Symptoms: Memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes.
Typical Age of Onset:
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60+: Alzheimer’s and other dementias commonly appear.
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40s–50s (rare): Early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur.
12 Early Signs of a Mental Illness
Here are the early signs of anxiety to look out for:
1. Sleep Changes
Dramatic sleep changes in duration and frequency of sleep occur.
2. Appetite Changes
A person may experience appetite changes or a decline in personal care.
3. Mood Changes
You may notice rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings.
4. Withdrawal
One could see recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
5. Not Functioning Normally
An unusual drop in functioning, at school, work, or social activities, may happen. Examples of this include quitting sports, failing in school, or difficulty performing familiar tasks.
6. Problems Thinking
This includes changes that are difficult to explain. It may be hard to concentrate. Memory, logical thought, and speech may fade.
READ: Don’t Ignore The Signs: “If You Have A Heart, You Can Have An Attack.”
7. Increased Sensitivity
This is described as a heightened sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells or touch; avoidance of over-stimulating situations.
8. Apathy
Loss of initiative or desire to participate in any activity is often observed.
9. Feeling Disconnected
A person experiencing anxiety or mental illness may experience vague feelings of being disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings, a sense of unreality.
10. Illogical Thinking
A person could experience unusual or exaggerated beliefs about personal powers to understand meanings or influence events; illogical or “magical” thinking typical of childhood in an adult.
11. Nervousness
Fear or suspiciousness of others or a strong nervous feeling is not uncommon.
12. Unusual Behavior
A person could exhibit odd, uncharacteristic, peculiar behavior.
If you feel you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness, contact a healthcare professional for guidance today.
Tia Muhammad, BS, is an award-winning freelance content & media creative, copywriter, blogger, digital designer, and marketing consultant. She owns the boutique content and digital media company, jackieGLDN|studio.
