Mental Disorders

ANXIETY DISORDERS

Feeling worried or nervous is a normal part of everyday life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. If anxiety is severe, you may have feelings of helplessness, confusion, and extreme worry that are out of proportion with the actual seriousness of what you fear. Overwhelming anxiety that interferes with daily life is not normal.

Learn about anxiety disorders, including panic attacks and phobias.

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DEPRESSION

Everyone feels sad, hopeless or worthless sometimes, but when those feelings are intense and don't go away, it may be depression. Mood disorders such as depression are caused by imbalances in the brain’s chemical activity and can be effectively treated.

Find out about the signs and symptoms of depression as well as treatment in Ventura County.

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BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder (also called manic-depression) is a serious mood disorder characterized by cycling mood changes of highs (mania) and lows (depression), often with periods of normal mood in between.

Read about bipolar disorder symptoms, treatment, and statistics at the National Institute of Mental Health - What is Bipolar Disorder.

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PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

These disorders occur when thinking becomes abnormal and your contact with reality is impaired. Psychotic disorders can involve hallucinations and delusions, such as hearing voices, thinking someone is trying to control you, or seeing something that is not really there. There are many different causes of psychosis. In severe cases a person with bipolar disorder can present with psychotic symptoms. Drug and substance abuse can also cause symptoms of psychosis, as can underlying medical conditions or even prescription medications.

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SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a serious psychotic disorder and individuals with this illness sometimes need to be hospitalized in order to be stabilized. It is one of the more common forms of serious mental illness that can cause psychosis. About 1 percent of people have schizophrenia.

Learn more about schizophrenia symptoms, treatment and statistics at the National Institute of Mental Health - What is Schizophrenia.

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EATING DISORDERS

When eating behavior becomes extreme, either in under-eating or over-eating, it's an eating disorder. People with an eating disorder often have intense concerns about their body shape. Eating disorders are more than just a problem with food. Food is used to feel in control of other feelings that may seem overwhelming. Three major types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating. Learn more: nationaleatingdisorders.org

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IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDERS

These are a group of conditions that are characterized by harmful impulses that the person cannot control. They include kleptomania, characterized by irresistible urges to steal, and pyromania, characterized by irresistible urges to set fires.

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ADDICTION DISORDERS

These occur when a person loses control of a behavior, such as use of alcohol or drugs, but can also include Internet use, gambling or other behaviors that the person craves beyond reason. Addiction disorders are a combination of physical and psychological dependence and may be hereditary. For alcohol and drug treatment services, visit VenturaCountyLimits.org.

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PERSONALITY DISORDERS

This is when an individual has trouble perceiving and relating to everyday situations and people, including themselves. A person with a personality disorder has an unbending way of thinking, regardless of the reality around them.