1.1 Describe the following types of mental ill health according to the psychiatric (DSM/ICD) classification system:
- Mood Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Substance-related disorders
- Eating disorders
- Cognitive disorders
Mood disorders are characterised by abnormal changes in mood that impact a person’s functioning. The two primary categories of mood disorders recognised by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) are Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder, with multiple subtypes within each category. Symptoms may include changes in sleep patterns, appetite, feelings of hopelessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, and low energy. Treatment typically involves medications such as antidepressants for depression or anticonvulsants for bipolar disorder, as well as psychotherapy to manage symptoms.
Personality disorders involve long-term patterns of behaviour that differ significantly from cultural expectations and hinder a person’s ability to form healthy relationships. These persistent conditions can cause significant distress both socially and professionally and often lead to substance abuse as a result of attempts to self-medicate and relieve psychological pain associated with the traits. DSM recognises ten personality disorders, which are organised into three clusters: Cluster A (e.g. paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal disorders), Cluster B (e.g. antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic disorders), and Cluster C (e.g. avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders). Treatment typically involves psychotherapy to help individuals understand the underlying issues that maintain their patterns of behaviour and modify them as needed over time.
Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive worry that interferes with daily functioning. According to DSM criteria, this can be classified as an anxiety disorder when the experience becomes severe. There are multiple specific subtypes of anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, social phobias/specific phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Common symptoms may include a racing heart, sweating, nausea, or fear of dying/losing control. Treatment typically involves medications such as benzodiazepines, as well as psychotherapy, to help individuals understand the underlying issues that maintain their patterns of behaviour and modify them over time.
Psychotic disorders are a group of severe mental illnesses that are categorised by delusions or hallucinations, which significantly impair an individual’s ability to function normally in daily life. The most common forms include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and delusional disorder. Symptoms may include hearing voices that others do not hear, believing things that are not true despite evidence to the contrary (paranoia), difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, and withdrawal from social activities. Treatment is typically based on antipsychotics and psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Substance-related disorders involve the excessive use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs, which leads to significant impairment in an individual’s functioning. Examples include alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and cannabis use disorder, among others. Symptoms may include craving the substance, building tolerance (needing more to achieve the same effects), and withdrawal when not using. Treatment typically involves medications and psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy or motivational interviewing to help individuals learn new coping strategies for managing cravings.
Eating disorders involve severe disturbances in eating behaviour that can lead to serious health consequences. The two primary categories recognised by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) are anorexia nervosa (severe restriction of caloric intake) and bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours). “Other specified feeding/eating disorders” is a category for conditions that do not meet full criteria but still cause significant distress. Treatment typically involves medical management, including nutritional counselling and medications if needed, along with psychotherapy aimed at helping individuals modify their disordered thoughts and behaviours around food.
Cognitive disorders are disturbances in mental processes, including memory and learning, that interfere with an individual’s ability to function normally. Examples include dementia (memory loss), delirium (confusion), and amnesia, among others. Symptoms may include forgetfulness or trouble remembering things, or difficulty concentrating. Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer’s disease, along with psychotherapy aimed at helping individuals understand the underlying issues that maintain their symptoms and modify them over time.
Other answers in the full document:
- 1.2 Explain the key strengths and limitations of the psychiatric classification system
- 1.3 Explain alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress
- 1.4 Explain indicators of mental ill health 2.1 Explain how individuals experience discrimination
- 2.2 Explain the effects mental ill health may have on an individual
- 2.3 Explain the effects mental ill health may have on those in the individual’s familial, social or work network
- 2.4 Explain how to intervene to promote an individual’s mental health and well-Being