March 10, 2026 5 min read Clinical Team

Mental Health Newsletter

Understanding Common Mental Disorders

Mental Health

Defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to her or his community.

Mental Illness / Disorder

Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.

Common Types of Mental Disorders

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Depression

A common mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks.

Symptoms include:

Loss of energy
Change in appetite
Sleeping more or less
Anxiety
Reduced concentration
Indecisiveness
Restlessness
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Treatment: Talking therapies, antidepressant medication, or a combination of these.

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Anxiety Disorders

Occasional anxiety is an expected part of life, but anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time.

Types include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder
Phobia-related disorders

Impact: Can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, schoolwork, and relationships.

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Bipolar Disorder

A chronic or episodic mental disorder that can cause unusual, often extreme and fluctuating changes in mood, energy, activity, and concentration or focus.

Manic episodes: Feeling very happy, irritable, or "up" with a marked increase in activity level.

Depressive episodes: Feeling sad, indifferent, or hopeless with very low activity level.

Some people have hypomanic episodes, which are like manic episodes, but less severe and troublesome.

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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder that some people develop after experiencing a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to respond to danger.

Key points:

The "fight-or-flight" response is a typical reaction meant to protect a person from harm
Nearly everyone will experience a range of reactions after trauma
Most people will recover from those symptoms naturally
Those who continue to experience problems may be diagnosed with PTSD

Breaking the Stigma

Mental health related challenges can affect you or the people around you. Unfortunately, an alarming number of employees experiencing mental health related challenges choose not to seek help due to stigma, discrimination or fear of losing their jobs.

Remember: Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Mental health conditions are treatable, and support is available.