Mental health can feel confusing, with so many terms, conditions, and resources available. Understanding the basics is an important first step toward taking care of yourself and supporting others. This quick guide brings together the most common mental health conditions, from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD, so you can get a clear overview in one place so you know what to look out for and where to explore further without feeling overwhelmed.

Mental health is generally understood as our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel, and behave in our daily lives. Understanding mental health conditions is not only important for personal growth, but it also helps reduce stigma and encourages healthier conversations about mental well-being.

With so many resources available online, many people still find themselves puzzled by mental health terminology and unsure of where to begin. Having a broad understanding of mental health conditions not only helps reduce stigma but also empowers you to recognize patterns in yourself or others that may need attention. 

Each mental illness could easily fill its own article, this guide aims to consolidate them for a clearer understanding. You’ll find links to more detailed posts for deeper understanding, along with practical tips on self-support, knowing when to seek help, and how to support someone dealing with mental illness. 

Quick Overview of Common Mental Conditions

Anxiety disorders are marked by ongoing worry, restlessness, and tension that can disrupt everyday life. Symptoms like panic attacks, racing thoughts, and a constant fear of negative outcomes are all too common. Anxiety can be draining, as it keeps your mind on high alert, even when there’s no real danger. Anxiety disorders affect millions globally and are often misunderstood as simply worrying too much. Recognizing it early can prevent the condition from interfering with daily functioning.

Early Signs of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults

Depression is more than occasional sadness. It often manifests as a lingering sadness, a disinterest in things you once enjoyed, low energy levels, and trouble focusing. It can leave people feeling hopeless, struggling with sleep, or noticing changes in their appetite. Even the simplest daily tasks can feel like climbing a mountain. 

What It Feels Like to Be Depressed: Seven Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

A man sitting with hands on his head, appearing distressed

large_a depressed man

medium_a depressed man

small_a depressed man

thumbnail_a depressed man

Depression

PTSD can develop after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Common symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, heightened alertness, and emotional numbness. Everyday situations or reminders can trigger strong reactions, making it hard to feel safe or relaxed. Awareness and understanding of PTSD can help both the person experiencing it and their support network respond compassionately.

Understanding Trauma and PTSD: What You Need to Know

Bipolar disorder is known for its dramatic mood swings, swinging from high-energy mania to deep lows. During manic episodes, a person might feel overly energetic, irritable, or impulsive. On the flip side, depressive episodes can bring feelings of sadness, fatigue, and a lack of motivation. Recognizing these patterns can be key to managing the condition effectively. 

World Bipolar Day: Raising Awareness & Breaking Stigma

OCD is characterized by repetitive thoughts, urges, or behaviors that can disrupt daily life. People may feel an overwhelming need to perform certain rituals to ease their anxiety, like checking, cleaning, or counting. It can be incredibly exhausting, as the mind gets stuck in loops that are tough to break free from.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Eating disorders encompass conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. They often stem from an unhealthy relationship with food, closely linked to emotions, self-esteem, or coping strategies. Awareness of these disorders is important as they affect both physical health and mental well-being.

What is the Difference Between Bulimia and Anorexia?

g. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

ADHD is a condition that impacts attention, focus, and impulse control. People with ADHD might find it tough to finish tasks, keep things organized, or manage their time effectively. While it’s often thought of as a childhood issue, ADHD can carry on into adulthood, influencing work, relationships, and everyday life. 

What is ADHD? Symptoms, Causes, and How To Treat It

Avoidant Personality Disorder is characterized by deep feelings of inadequacy and a heightened sensitivity to rejection. Those affected may shy away from social situations, even if they crave connection, and often feel anxious about being judged. This can have a significant impact on both personal and professional aspects of life. 

What Is Avoidant Personality Disorder? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

The signs and symptoms of mental conditions can vary, but it is important to be observants of pronounced or subtle unusual pattern like increased irritability, withdrawal, or changes in sleep. Early recognition allows for timely support and 

, which can prevent escalation and improve outcomes. Paying attention to changes in mood, behavior, or daily functioning is a key step in maintaining mental well-being.

Understanding mental health is the first step toward taking care of yourself and supporting others. Remember that seeking professional help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you found this guide useful, consider sharing it with friends or family who may benefit from learning more about mental health.

A quick guide to understanding common mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, and ADHD.

Overview of Common Mental Health Conditions

Anger is one of the most commonly experienced human emotions. It is powerful, natural, and often misunderstood. With a global surge in search terms like how to control anger, anger management techniques, and anger therapy, it’s clear that people are seeking answers. The interest hasn’t declined either; in fact, emotional regulation has become even more important post-COVID due to increased stress, uncertainty, and social isolation.

While some people express anger outwardly, others bottle it up until it shows in less obvious but equally damaging ways. No one is exempt from feeling angry, and almost everyone has experienced moments of uncontrolled rage at least once. But what happens when anger becomes a regular problem or when it starts damaging your relationships, work performance, or peace of mind?

Anger is a natural emotional reaction to perceived harm, injustice, or frustration. It isn’t just a behavioral problem, it’s an emotional health issue that reflects what's going on beneath the surface. It’s often linked to deeper conditions like 

, and even specific mental health disorders such as 

When expressed constructively, anger can be healthy. It tells you something is wrong; a boundary has been crossed, an expectation wasn’t met, or you feel unheard.

But when unmanaged, it can spiral into chronic frustration, explosive reactions, or harmful withdrawal, affecting not just you but those around you.

People get angry for different reasons. Some of the most common include:

Struggling with overwhelming responsibilities

Revisiting past trauma or emotional wounds

Reacting to someone else’s behavior or harsh words

Being stuck in unresolved personal situations

Unchecked anger can become a mental health risk. When constantly triggered, it raises stress hormones, disrupts sleep, and weakens your ability to think clearly or maintain relationships. Over time, it can lead to:

Chronic anger: a state of constant agitation or resentment

Anxiety and depression: due to internalized guilt or conflict

Isolation: when loved ones withdraw out of fear or frustration

Health issues: like high blood pressure, headaches, or heart problems

Anger, like sadness or joy, is part of the emotional spectrum. The issue isn’t having it, it’s how you handle it.

large_anger management

medium_anger management

small_anger management

thumbnail_anger management

anger management

There are psychological tests that assess how prone you are to anger and how you handle it. But most people don’t need a test to know they’re struggling. If you often:

Regret your words or actions after an outburst

Get told you’re “too reactive” or “scary when mad”

Avoid situations because you're afraid of your own response

...then it might be time to take anger management seriously.

Anger management isn’t about pretending you’re calm when you’re not — it’s about learning how to recognize the signs, slow down your reactions, and express your emotions in a healthy way. 

Anger doesn’t usually come out of nowhere. Your body and mind send warning signs, and developing self-awareness helps you recognize these signals before anger takes over.

  These signals mean it’s time to pause before things escalate.

Pause: Take a step back, literally or mentally. You don’t have to respond immediately.

Reflect: Ask yourself, “What’s really bothering me here?”

Respond: Choose how to express yourself calmly, clearly, and honestly.

This method helps reduce regret and protect your relationships.

Slow, deep breaths signal your nervous system to calm down.

If that’s hard, try grounding techniques like naming:

This pulls you out of your head and into the present.

woman journaling her thoughts with a pen and notepad

Anger often masks other emotions like shame, grief, or fear. Journaling helps uncover those hidden layers.

What do I need right now that I’m not getting?

Even a 5-minute scribble can stop you from saying things you’ll regret. You can check out this simple guide on 

“I feel frustrated when I’m not heard.”

This reduces defensiveness and invites real conversation.

Anger creates physical energy. Use it up in healthy ways:

Clean something aggressively (yes, that counts!)

Physical activity helps release tension so it doesn’t explode emotionally.

If your anger feels bigger than you, therapists trained in anger management can help you:

There are also online courses, support groups, and even anger tracking apps.

8. Faith, Forgiveness, and Emotional Surrender

If you’re spiritual, prayer, meditation, or speaking with a trusted faith leader can help you release bottled-up emotions.

Sometimes, anger is tied to unforgiveness or unspoken pain. Healing spiritually can support healing emotionally.

You don’t have to be perfect. Anger isn’t something to get rid of, but it’s something to understand and work with. Even the smallest changes in your response can lead to powerful emotional growth.

You’re not alone in this journey and it’s never too late to learn new ways to respond.

To get the professional help you need, you should 

Struggling with anger? These anger management strategies help reduce emotional stress, control reactions, and support mental wellness.

Anger Management: Practical Tips to Tame Your Anger

Borderline Personality Disorder affects thousands of people worldwide, causing emotional ups and downs that impact relationships and self-image. Understanding BPD’s symptoms and causes is the first step toward finding effective treatment and support. This article will guide you through what BPD is and how to cope with it.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition that affects how a person sees themselves, relates to others, and manages their emotions. It is often misunderstood or misjudged because of its intensity. But it is not about being dramatic or attention-seeking, t is about living with heightened emotional sensitivity, and it can be deeply painful for those who experience it.

People with BPD often struggle with self-image, emotional regulation, and forming stable relationships. Their emotions may feel overwhelming and shift quickly. One moment they may feel completely connected to someone, and the next, they feel rejected or abandoned, sometimes even without clear reasons.

Common Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Although the experience varies from person to person, some common symptoms of BPD include:

large_mehrpouya-h-dBl-tI7SBtE-unsplash.jpg

medium_mehrpouya-h-dBl-tI7SBtE-unsplash.jpg

small_mehrpouya-h-dBl-tI7SBtE-unsplash.jpg

thumbnail_mehrpouya-h-dBl-tI7SBtE-unsplash.jpg

Avoidant Personality Disorder

Intense fear of abandonment, whether real or imagined

Unstable or intense relationships that often swing between closeness and conflict

Impulsive behavior, such as reckless spending, binge eating, or risky activities

Emotional instability with mood swings lasting a few hours to a few days

Feelings of emptiness or disconnection from the self

Difficulty controlling anger or emotional outbursts

In some cases, self-harming behavior or suicidal thoughts

These symptoms are not about being difficult. They are often responses to deep inner pain, past trauma, and the inability to manage that pain in healthy ways.

What Causes Borderline Personality Disorder?

There is no single cause of BPD. Instead, it is often the result of a mix of factors including:

Many people with BPD have experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse in childhood. Others may have faced emotional neglect or unstable family environments.

Some research suggests that BPD may have a genetic link. Brain imaging has also shown differences in areas that control emotion and decision-making.

Ongoing invalidation of a person’s emotions while growing up can contribute to the development of BPD. This happens when a child’s feelings are dismissed or punished, leading to long-term emotional confusion.

The Struggle with Relationships and Identity

A major challenge for individuals with BPD is maintaining stable relationships. They may idolize someone one day and feel deeply disappointed the next. These shifts are not manipulative or intentional. They stem from a deep fear of being abandoned or not being loved.

People with BPD also often struggle with their sense of identity. They may not be sure who they are, what they want, or what they truly believe in. This confusion can affect the decisions they make, the careers they pursue, and even how they present themselves to others.

One of the hardest things about BPD is the stigma attached to it. People with BPD are often labeled as too emotional or toxic, when in reality, many of them are deeply compassionate and empathetic individuals who feel things more intensely than most.

They do not want to push people away. They simply struggle to hold on to emotional balance and often feel unworthy of love and connection.

What people with BPD need most is not criticism or distance, but understanding, patience, and kindness, especially from friends, family, and professionals.

Diagnosis should always be made by a qualified mental health professional, often through a detailed evaluation of symptoms, history, and behavior. BPD shares similarities with other conditions, such as bipolar disorder or depression, so it is important not to self-diagnose.

The good news is that BPD is treatable. Many people with BPD can and do go on to live full and meaningful lives with the right support.

Some effective treatment options include:

A therapist and client engaged in a counseling session, sitting together in a calm, comfortable setting.

large_therapy session

medium_therapy session

small_therapy session

thumbnail_therapy session

therapy session

Therapy plays a major role in helping people manage Borderline Personality Disorder. It provides a safe space to understand emotional patterns, develop healthier coping strategies, and work through deep-rooted fears or beliefs.

Working with a trained mental health professional can make a significant difference in how someone with BPD relates to themselves and others. While the process takes time and commitment, many people find it to be a powerful step toward emotional stability and growth.

While there is no specific medication that cures Borderline Personality Disorder, some prescribed drugs can help manage related symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, or depression. These medications are usually part of a broader treatment plan and are most effective when combined with therapy and consistent support.

It’s important to remember that medication decisions should always be made by a qualified mental health professional. 

Beyond therapy, having a supportive community makes a huge difference for someone living with Borderline Personality Disorder. Emotional struggles can feel isolating, and the fear of being misunderstood often causes people to withdraw. But when individuals find spaces where they feel seen, heard, and accepted without judgment, healing becomes more possible.

Whether it’s a support group, an online community, trusted friends, or even one safe person, connection matters. It reminds the person that they are not their diagnosis, and they are not alone in what they’re feeling. 

Borderline Personality Disorder is not a life sentence, and it is certainly not a character flaw. It is a mental health condition that deserves compassion, support, and serious attention. With proper treatment and a safe support system, people living with BPD can find stability, emotional strength, and even joy.

If you or someone you know shows signs of BPD, do not ignore it or brush it off. Healing may not be instant, but it is possible — one step at a time.

If you found this article helpful, you might also want to check out our piece on 

 It explores another personality condition marked by fear of rejection and social withdrawal, offering insight into how it differs from and sometimes overlaps with Borderline Personality Disorder.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider.



Borderline Personality Disorder causes intense emotions, unstable relationships, and fear of abandonment. Learn the signs, causes, and ways to get support.

Borderline Personality Disorder: When Emotions Feel Too Big to Hold

One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a provider to address personal concerns, emotions, and behaviors. 

Individual Therapy

Counseling sessions that involve multiple family members to address relationship dynamics, conflicts, and family-related issues.

Family Therapy

Therapeutic sessions conducted with a small group of individuals who share similar issues or goals, 
providing support and shared experiences.

Group Therapy

Therapy sessions involving couples to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and enhance the 
quality of their relationship.

Couples Therapy

A consultation session for clients who may be unsure of their needs and would like guidance on the best next steps.

Initial Consultation

Specialized therapy for children and teenagers to address age-specific emotional and behavioral 
challenges. 

Child & Adolescent Therapy

Trauma and PTSD can develop after experiencing or witnessing shocking, dangerous, or frightening events. Our specialized therapists help clients process traumatic memories, reduce triggering responses, and develop coping strategies to reclaim a sense of safety and control in their lives.

Work with trauma-informed therapists to heal at your own pace in a supportive environment.

Recover From Trauma Safely

Trauma and PTSD

Anger management therapy helps individuals who struggle with excessive or inappropriate anger responses. Our therapists work with clients to identify anger triggers, learn healthier expression of emotions, develop effective communication skills, and implement strategies to respond to frustration more constructively.

Learn healthy ways to understand, express, and control anger before it affects your relationships.

Manage Anger Constructively

Anger management

Social anxiety and shyness can make everyday interactions feel overwhelming and limit participation in important life activities. Our therapists help clients gradually build confidence in social situations, challenge negative thoughts about judgment, and develop authentic connection skills.

Work with therapists to reduce fear in social situations and improve your interpersonal comfort.

Build Social Confidence

Social anxiety and shyness

Attachment issues stem from early relationship experiences and can affect adult connections, creating patterns of anxiety, avoidance, or disorganization in close relationships. Our therapists help clients understand their attachment style and develop more secure, satisfying relationships.

Heal past wounds and build healthy emotional bonds in your relationships.

Support for Attachment issues

Attachment issues

Loneliness and isolation can significantly impact mental and physical health. Our therapists help clients address barriers to connection, develop social skills, process past relationship wounds, and build meaningful community involvement tailored to their personality and needs.

Reconnect with others and overcome feelings of disconnection and solitude.

Support for Loneliness and isolation

Loneliness and isolation

Communication problems can create misunderstandings, conflict, and emotional distance in relationships. Our therapists help individuals and couples develop active listening skills, express needs clearly, navigate difficult conversations, and build deeper understanding and connection.

Get professional help with issues related to communication problems in a safe and supportive space.

Support for Communication problems

Communication problems

Depression involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest that interfere with daily life. Our therapists provide evidence-based treatments to help clients understand depression's roots, challenge negative thought patterns, rebuild motivation, and reconnect with joy and meaning.

Get compassionate help for depression, emptiness, and when life feels too heavy to manage alone.

Support for Depression & Low Mood

Anxiety manifests as excessive worry, fear, and physical symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning. Our therapists provide evidence-based approaches to help clients understand anxiety triggers, develop effective coping strategies, challenge anxious thoughts, and reclaim freedom from fear.

Explore evidence-based strategies with a licensed professional to feel more calm and in control.

Find Relief From Anxiety

Anxiety

Relationship therapy addresses challenges in romantic partnerships, friendships, and family connections. Our therapists help couples and individuals improve communication, resolve conflicts, rebuild trust, deepen intimacy, and create healthier, more satisfying relationships.

Work with a therapist to improve communication, resolve conflict, and deepen your relationships.

Build Stronger Connections

Relationships

Self-Esteem issues involve persistent negative beliefs about one's worth, abilities, or lovability. Our therapists help clients identify the roots of low self-esteem, challenge self-critical thoughts, develop self-compassion, recognize personal strengths, and build a stronger, more positive sense of self.

Get professional help with issues related to self-esteem in a safe and supportive space.

Borderline Personality Disorder

News, Insights and Updates On Borderline Personality Disorder

Stay Updated

Main Menu

Resources

For Therapists

Popular Concerns

Main Menu

Resources

For Therapists

Popular Concerns

Borderline Personality Disorder

News, Insights and Updates On Borderline Personality Disorder

Stay Updated

Main Menu

Resources

For Therapists

Popular Concerns

Main Menu

Resources

For Therapists

Popular Concerns