Mental disorders are characterized by problems that people experience with their mind (thoughts) and their mood (feelings). They are not well understood in terms of their causes, but the symptoms of mental illness are scientifically valid and well known. Treatment — usually involving both psychotherapy and medication — for most types of mental illness and mental health concerns is readily available and, eventually, effective for most people.
The diagnostic criteria for mental disorders (also known as “mental illness”) are composed of symptom checklists that primarily are focused on a person’s behaviors and thoughts. These lists of symptoms have been summarized from current diagnostic criteria commonly used in the United States by mental health professionals (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition). We’ve divided the disorders into three broad categories below: adult, childhood, and personality disorders; some disorders may fall under more than one category.
These disorder lists are in the process of being updated to reflect the changes from the latest edition of the diagnosis manual, the DSM-5.
Please keep in mind that only an experienced mental health professional can make an actual diagnosis.
Learn more: About the DSM-5 or Looking for a DSM Code?
Adult Mental Disorders
Common Disorders
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Alcohol or Substance Use Disorder
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Anxiety Disorders
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Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
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Bipolar Disorder
- Major Depressive Episode
- Hypomanic Episode
- Manic Episode
- Mixed Specifier (Formerly Mixed Episode)
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Depression
- Postpartum Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
See Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern)
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Eating Disorders
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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Opioid Use Disorder Symptoms
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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Schizophrenia
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Schizophrenia Education Guide
Dissociative Disorders
- Depersonalization Disorder
- Dissociative Amnesia
- Dissociative Fugue
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Dissociative Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)
Feeding & Eating Disorders
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Pica
Sexual & Paraphilic Disorders
- Dyspareunia
- Erectile Disorder (ED)
- Exhibitionistic Disorder
- Female & Male Orgasmic Disorders
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
- Fetishistic Disorder
- Frotteuristic Disorder
- Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
- Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD; not a recognized diagnostic category at this time)
- Premature (Early) Ejaculation
- Sex Addiction (not a recognized diagnostic category at this time)
- Sexual Masochism and Sadism
- Transvestic Disorder
- Vaginismus
- Voyeuristic Disorder
Sleep & Wake Disorders
- Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder
- Hypersomnolence (Hypersomnia, Primary)
- Insomnia Disorder
- Nightmare Disorder
- Narcolepsy
- Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Arousal Disorders (Sleep Terror Disorder & Sleepwalking Disorder)
Childhood Mental Disorders
Childhood disorders, often labeled as developmental disorders or learning disorders, most often occur and are diagnosed when the child is of school-age. Although some adults may also relate to some of the symptoms of these disorders, typically the disorder’s symptoms need to have first appeared at some point in the person’s childhood.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (Formerly Asperger’s, Autistic Disorder, & Rett’s)
- Attachment Disorder
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
- Autism
- Conduct Disorder
- Disorder of Written Expression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Encopresis
- Enuresis
- Expressive Language Disorder
- Mathematics Disorder
- Mental Retardation, see Intellectual Disability
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Reading Disorder
- Rumination Disorder
- Selective Mutism
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
- Stereotypic Movement Disorder
- Stuttering
- Tourette’s Disorder
- Transient Tic Disorder
Personality Disorders
These disorders typically aren’t diagnosed until an individual is a young adult, often not until their 20’s or even 30’s. Most individuals with personality disorders lead pretty normal lives and often only seek psychotherapeutic treatment during times of increased stress or social demands. Most people can relate to some or all of the personality traits listed; the difference is that it does not affect most people’s daily functioning to the same degree it might someone diagnosed with one of these disorders. Personality disorders tend to be an intergral part of a person, and therefore, are difficult to treat or “cure.” Learn more about personality disorders and personality traits…
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Dependent Personality Disorder
- Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Multiple Personality Disorder, see Dissociative Identity Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
- Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Other Mental Disorders & Concerns
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Adjustment Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Bereavement
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Brief Psychotic Disorder
- Conversion Disorder
- Cyclothymic Disorder
- Delusional Disorder
- Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
- Dysthymic Disorder
- Gaming Disorder
- Gender Dysphoria
- Hoarding Disorder
- Hypochondriasis (Illness Anxiety)
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Kleptomania
- Major Neurocognitive Disorder
- Minor Neurocognitive Disorder
- Pain Disorder
- Panic Attack
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Pathological Gambling
- Pedophilia
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Pseudobulbar Affect
- Psychotic Disorder, Unspecified
- Pyromania
- Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Schizophreniform Disorder
- Shared Psychotic Disorder (Delusional Symptoms in Partner)
- Somatic Symptom Disorder
- Specific Phobia
- New Specifiers of Bipolar Disorder and Depression
- Trichotillomania
Disclaimers & Use Restrictions:
This listing is for personal use in education or research only. This listing is not meant to replace professional advice, diagnosis, or care from a licensed mental health practioner; its sole intent is for patient education. If you believe you may be suffering from one of these disorders, please consult a mental health professional. The diagnostic criteria for mental disorders are summarized from the American Psychiatric Association’s 2013 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
