UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK

FACULTY OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

PBI1092 ACADEMIC ENGLISH 2

G34K03

Information Report

SEMESTER 2 2020/2021

Submission Date: 3rd of December 2021

NAME OF LECTURER LINDSAY ROGENE

TITLE TYPES OF MENTAL ILLNESS

PREPARED BY 1. ELSA JUNIH FRANKIE (77950) 0198393244

2. AMEERA AFVIANNALEXSIA ANAK ARIFIN (77811)
01170158245
3. ANSELM TAW JIA JIUN (77842) 0168713799
4. DAYANG NURHANIS HALISYA BINTI AWANG
EKSHAAN (77923) 0128260402
5. MOHAMMAD ADAM RAFIDZY BIN MOHAMMAD
JEFRI (78169) 0178509285
 Types of Mental Illness
Today, most people from all levels of society suffer from mental illness. In 2017, an
estimated 11.2 million adults in the U.S. had a severe psychological condition, according to the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (Felman, 2020). People who suffer from mental
illness will have the inability to carry out certain daily routine normally as they will have to face
certain challenges with the condition that they have. There are five types of mental illness people
suffer from which will be discussed. The mental illnesses are eating disorder, obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (refer to
Figure 1 in Appendix 1).

The first type of mental illness is eating disorder. An eating disorder is a significant
mental health disease characterized by an abnormal obsession with food, exercise, and
appearance. It can be a serious condition affecting physical, psychological, and social function.
Examples of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder,
avoidant restrictive food intake disorder, other specified feeding and eating disorders. According
to Guarda (2021), eating disorders affect up to 5% of the population, most common in
adolescence and young adulthood. "A study evaluating the use of dialectical behavior therapy
(DBT) adapted for binge eating disorders (BED) showed that treated women evidenced
significant improvement on measures of binge eating and eating pathology compared with
controls, and 89% of the women receiving DBT had stopped binge eating by the end of
treatment” (Telch et al.,2001). Therefore, it is important to detect and cure eating disorders as
early as possible to prevent psychological consequences and re-establish good eating habits.

The second type of mental illness is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is

always stereotyped by society as people who suffer from perfectionism or clean every second. In
reality, Nichols (2020) described OCD as a mental health disorder that entails an obsession or
compulsion and repetitive thoughts. Generally, obsessions come first in the OCD cycle, followed
by compulsions next. When one experiences obsessions, it is always accompanied by strong
emotions of anxiety. In contrast, compulsions are behaviors that one cannot help but to perform
as a temporary relieve to escape from the daunting obsessions (OCD, 2020). Also, it is common
for a person to suddenly experience new OCD obsessions. As shared by Nichols too, the
instances are "concern with checking, fears of contamination, hoarding, intrusive thoughts,
symmetry and orderliness". In the research by Durna et al., (2019), stigma is a major impediment
to getting professional help. Hence, OCD sufferers should never be ashamed of getting proper
treatment for wanting to live life normally.

The third type of mental illness is anxiety disorder which is when a person has intense,
excessive and constant fear in daily lives (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Occasional anxiety occurs to
everyone and it is normal and needed in certain situation such as when we are in danger as we
need to react to the situation accordingly. However, overwhelming and prolonged anxiety which
is known as anxiety disorders may affect a person not only mentally but physically as well. The
level of anxiety that a person experience depends on the type of anxiety they suffer from. There
are several anxiety disorders that occur to certain individuals such as generalized anxiety
disorder, social anxiety disorder and separation anxiety (WebMD, 2003). One of the effects of
anxiety disorders is it can affect the relationship of an individual with others. In addition, their
self-confidence is affected as well. People who have anxiety disorders should not be looked
down on as it is something that they are struggling with. Therefore, the communities need to be
aware and well educated about mental health, particularly anxiety disorders.

The fourth type of mental illness is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is
triggered by watching or going through horrifying incidents. This includes accidents, physical or
sexual abuse, disasters, and the unexpected loss of someone. Severe anxiety, aggressive
behaviors, difficulty concentrating, being easily startled or frightened, and hallucinations are
some examples of PTSD symptoms. These symptoms cause significant issues in social or work
situations and in relationships (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Nevertheless, symptoms may be different
between people or change over time. Even though PTSD can occur at any age, young adults are
more often to have PTSD since they are more likely to be exposed to precipitating circumstances
(Javidi & Yadollahie, 2012). However, many individuals who experience traumatic incidents
usually recover with time and help from others, although they may face temporary challenges in
adapting and enduring. Therefore, awareness of PTSD should be raised in society as it may help
those who are struggling to get the help they need.

In conclusion, there are four major types of mental illness that affect the mental or
physical health of any individual in terms of stress which leads to a poor quality of life.
 Appendix 1

Figure 1. Types of Mental Illness

 References

Durna, G., Yorulmaz, O., & Aktaç, A. (2019). Public stigma of obsessive compulsive disorder
and schizophrenic disorder: Is there really any difference? Psychiatry Research, 271,
559–564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.065

Felman, A. (2020, April 13) What is mental health?

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154543

Guarda, A.M.D. (2021, March) What are eating disorder? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients

families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders.
Javidi, H., & Yadollahie, M. (2012). Post-traumatic stress disorder. The International Journal of
Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
https://theijoem.com/ijoem/index.php/ijoem/article/view/127/247

Mayo Clinic. (2018, May 4). Anxiety disorders - Symptoms and causes.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

Mayo Clinic. (2018, July 6). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-
disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967

Nichols, H. (2020, September 30). What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Medical News

Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/178508#treatment

OCD. (2020, January 29). Stop the Stigma. https://stopthestigma.org/ocd/

Telch, C. F., Agras, W. S., & Linehan, M. M. (2001). Dialectical behavior therapy for binge
eating disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(6), 1061–
1065. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.69.6.1061
WebMD. (2003, February 2). Anxiety Disorders.
https://www.webmd.com/anxietypanic/guide/anxiety-disorders