Serious Mental Health Disorders: Examples and Support

Examples of mental health disorders that can become serious include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, can also be serious because they can affect both mental and physical health.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating examples of serious mental health disorders.

A diagnosis alone does not tell you how severely a person is affected: symptoms, their duration, and their impact on daily life can vary widely, even among people with the same condition. Mental health professionals may consider whether symptoms interfere with work, relationships, self-care, or safety when assessing a person’s needs and recommending treatment.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating how severity can differ.

You may benefit from professional support if symptoms make it difficult to sleep, eat, work, care for yourself, or manage everyday responsibilities, especially when those difficulties persist or worsen. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call emergency services; in the United States, you can also call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

When mental health symptoms make cleaning feel overwhelming, you can start with one manageable task, such as clearing a small surface or putting dishes near the sink, and pause when you need to. Our mental health-friendly cleaning guide and our Mental Health-Friendly Cleaning Checklist digital download offer a place to think about cleaning routines when your energy is limited; they are not substitutes for mental health care.