Mental Health Treatment in Thousand Oaks

Depression is perhaps the most common mental health disorder in the U.S. and falls under the umbrella of mood disorders, which generally impact a person’s emotions and ability to regulate them.

Examples of frequently diagnosed mood disorders include:

• Major depression, sometimes also referred to as clinical depression
• Bipolar disorder

Specific symptoms can vary depending on the mood disorder in question, but in general, signs to look out for might be things like:

• Distorted Emotional States. Intense feelings of sadness or euphoria may be common and persistent, even in the absence of a clear cause.
• Changing Energy Levels. Feeling drained no matter how much sleep a person gets or seeming to be bursting with energy can both be signs of a mood disorder.
• Symptoms Cause Prolonged Distress. It’s not necessarily abnormal to experience emotional ups and downs, but when symptoms begin to interfere with daily life and significantly impact a person’s ability to function, a mood disorder may be at play.

Even more widely experienced than depression and similar mental illnesses are anxiety disorders, which can take many forms and manifest quite differently from person to person. NIMH reports that around 31.1% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, and about 19.1% of all U.S. adults had any anxiety disorder in the past year.

Some of the main types of anxiety disorders are as follows:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Panic disorder

Though the specific roots of anxiety and the way a person responds to their experiences may depend on their diagnosis, anxiety disorders still typically create similar overarching symptoms, such as:

• Frequent, Intense Worry. Feeling stressed from time to time can be normal, but worry that’s overwhelming and seems to persist may be cause for concern.
• Sudden Anxiety. Spikes in panic, fear, and anxiety that come on quickly and may be extreme can be common signs of an anxiety disorder.
• Avoidance. Many people avoid social situations and other stressors that can lead to anxiety, which might create additional consequences. 
• Fears Seem Uncontrollable. Anxiety of this sort may not seem to respond to traditional techniques like practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, or confiding in others.

Disorders that affect some part of a person’s development, whether it be related to mental or physical skills, are also relatively common. They may impact how a person learns, thinks, or responds to difficult situations, all of which can have significant implications for their ability to function throughout their life. 

Examples of common neurodevelopmental disorders include:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Learning or intellectual disabilities, such as dyslexia

Common characteristics that can come with neurodevelopmental disorders like these may include any or all of the following:

• Language Skill Deficits. A person may have a hard time reading, spelling, or writing.
• Cognitive Differences. Those with a neurodevelopmental disorder may not socialize, think, or learn the same way as others might.
• Neurological Function Deficits. Challenges with executive functioning, organization, time management, and similar tasks may be present.