Mental health challenges are pretty common these days. A report by the National Health Institute (NHI) says 57.8 million adults are struggling with some form of mental illness. While conditions like anxiety and depression are widely discussed, there’s a whole spectrum of mental health disorders that you might not have heard of.
However, these illnesses are reversible and treatable. Many treatment centers in Texas even offer programs to treat these disorders. We’ll discuss some of the lesser-known disorders that severely impact people’s lives.
1. Dissociative Disorders
Feeling disconnected from your thoughts, memories, or even your physical body is a major experience of dissociative disorders, which are characterized by disruptions in memory, identity, and consciousness.
One of the well-known dissociative disorders is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder. People with DID have two or more distinct personalities, each with their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They may experience gaps in their memory or a sense of being an observer in their own life.
Depersonalization disorder is another variant where individuals feel detached from their own bodies or minds. They often describe themselves as robots or feel like they’re in a dream. Dissociative Amnesia involves memory loss that’s not due to head injury or a normal forgetting process. The symptoms of dissociative disorders can be highly confusing and distressing and require professional help.
2. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Many of us have insecurities about our appearance; we might feel self-conscious about a blemish or a perceived flaw. But for people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), these concerns are magnified to a debilitating level. BDD is a preoccupation with a perceived imperfection in appearance that is either minor or not noticeable to others. This constant focus can cause distress and interfere with daily life.
Someone with BDD might spend hours checking the mirror, seeking constant reassurance, or resorting to excessive grooming or cosmetic procedures that never seem to satisfy. The distorted self-image in BDD is a mental illness and profound belief that these flaws define them and make them unlovable or unacceptable. This can cause them to avoid social situations and isolate themselves out of fear of being judged. They might even experience suicidal thoughts. So, it’s important to note that BDD requires therapy and, in some cases, medication.
3. Exploding Head Syndrome
Exploding Head Syndrome is a surprisingly common yet under-researched condition in which an individual suddenly experiences a loud bang or explosion in their head after drifting off to sleep. Thankfully, it’s not a sign of an impending brain explosion. The sound is entirely internal and doesn’t cause any physical harm.
Although the exact reason is unknown, it’s thought to be linked to stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. If you experience this occasionally, it’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if it’s frequent and causing distress, talk to your doctor to identify any underlying medical condition.
4. Misophonia
For people with Misophonia, certain sounds can trigger intense negative reactions like anger, anxiety, or rage. These sounds can be anything from chewing to nail tapping to someone’s breathing. The irony is that the sounds themselves aren’t exactly loud or unpleasant, but the emotional response to them is overwhelming.
Misophonia can severely impact daily life and make it difficult to be around others or go out in public. There’s no cure, but therapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy can help manage the emotional response to triggers.
5. Fear of Missing Out vs. Fear of Being Observed
Social media can fuel two lesser-known anxiety: FOMO and FOBO. FOMO is the constant feeling that others are having more fun, achieving more success, or living a more exciting life than you. This can cause social comparison, feelings of inadequacy, and depression.
On the other hand, FOBO is the anxiety of being scrutinized or judged by others. People with FOBO might avoid social situations altogether or experience intense self-consciousness in public. Both FOMO and FOBO can be managed through mindfulness practices, social media boundaries, and CBT techniques.
Closing Thoughts
If you suspect you might have one of these lesser-known disorders, reach out for help. Mental health conditions are extremely common these days, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. A mental health professional can provide diagnosis, treatment options, and support you need to get back to your everyday life.
