Millions of people live with different types of mental illnesses and health problems. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, and personality disorders. All of these come under the umbrella of mental health. In this article, we will cover the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of some common mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and clinical depression to help you understand them better.

Symptoms
The common symptoms of mental health disorders include:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder
People with OCD may present the following symptoms:

• Constant fear of contamination and extra emphasis on cleanliness
• Signs of hoarding and counting belongings continuously
• Signs of excessive concern toward personal safety

Post-traumatic stress disorder
Somebody suffering from PTSD may show the following symptoms:

• Constantly suffering through intrusive memories
• Negative patterns in mood and mindset
• Trying to avoid thinking of the traumatic event
• Feeling changes in emotional and physical reactions
  

Clinical depression
The symptoms of clinical depression include:

• Being moody and experiencing different emotions, such as aggressiveness, anxiousness, and restlessness
• Adverse effect on sexual life
• A decline of cognitive abilities
• Poor sleep patterns

If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend consulting with a mental health doctor immediately.

Causes
The common causes of any mental health disorder include the following:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Some common causes for obsessive-compulsive disorder include:

• Severe trauma
• Behavioral factors, such as being extremely organized, meticulous, and neat

Post-traumatic stress disorder
The causes for PTSD include the following:

• Stressful experiences and traumatic events
• Inheriting disorders from family members
• Imbalance in regulation of bodily hormones and chemicals
  

Clinical depression
The causes associated with clinical depression include:

• Early childhood trauma
• Drug abuse
• Different medical conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic pain

Risk factors
The risk factors associated with the following mental health disorders include:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Some risk factors associated with OCD include:

• Neurological and biological factors, such as a chemical imbalance in the body
• Genetic factors

Post-traumatic stress disorder
Some factors that put you at a higher risk for PTSD include:

• A family history of PTSD
• Certain medical conditions such as ADHD, insomnia, and chronic pain
  

Clinical depression
Certain risk factors associated with clinical depression can be described as:

• Family history with depression
• Low self-esteem or self-critical tendencies
• Inactive frontal lobe of the brain

Once you are informed about mental health and its disorders, seek medical help, and consult a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Mental health is critical and nothing to be ashamed about. In some cases, it may be challenging to seek help, but doing so can help prevent any further complications. Do remember that your loved ones, including your family and friends, are always there to help you. With all the love and support, one can overcome this condition.