Mental Health Disorders
Mental Health Disorders
Mental health disorders are a range of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behaviour. Mental health disorders are classified and detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
A medical professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, makes a mental health diagnosis. Statistics reveal that in 2017-18, one in five, or 4.8 million, Australians had a mental or behavioural condition.9
Some mental illnesses include:
According to the Black Dog Institute, the most common mental illnesses in Australians are:
- depressive disorders
- anxiety disorders
- substance use disorders
Research shows that the risk of suicide is heightened for people with mental illnesses..