Blending education, personal reflection, and supportive guidance
Mental illness isn’t one-size-fits-all—and that truth alone can be overwhelming when you’re trying to understand what you or a loved one might be going through. From anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, mental health conditions can show up in our lives in vastly different ways. But here’s something we’ve come to believe deeply: Understanding is a form of compassion. The more we know, the more we can show up—for ourselves and for the people we love.
Why It Matters
Both of us—Charissa and I—have seen how powerful it is to finally put a name to the invisible weight you’re carrying. For us, getting proper diagnoses as neurodivergent individuals changed everything. It helped us shift from self-blame to self-understanding. We know how validating it is to say, “Oh… it’s not just me.”
This blog is for anyone who’s felt confused, alone, or misunderstood in their mental health journey—or who wants to support someone who is. Let’s explore together.
Common Categories of Mental Illness
Mental illness exists on a spectrum. People may experience symptoms differently based on their environment, trauma history, neurodivergence, and even access to care.
1. Mood Disorders
Mood disorders impact emotional states. These include:
- Depression: Persistent sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, or feelings of worthlessness.
- Bipolar Disorder: Alternating periods of depression and elevated mood (mania or hypomania).
We’ve both lived with mood fluctuations in some form. One thing we’ve learned? Emotions aren’t something to control—they’re something to listen to. Seeking support doesn’t make you weak. It means you’re human.
2. Anxiety Disorders
These involve intense fear or worry that interferes with daily life.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Phobias
For so many of us, anxiety is more than “just worrying.” It’s fight-or-flight stuck in overdrive. We often say that learning to cope with anxiety is a journey of returning to safety—not just externally, but within ourselves.
3. Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
These include:
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Hoarding Disorder
These are often misunderstood and minimized, but the distress is very real. If this is your experience, please know: you’re not “too much,” and you’re not alone.
4. Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
Examples include:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
- Adjustment Disorders
Many of us carry silent trauma. And sometimes, the hardest part is recognizing that something was traumatic. You don’t have to compare your pain to others’ to deserve support. Healing is possible.
5. Neurodevelopmental Disorders
These often begin in childhood and can continue into adulthood.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
As two late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults, we know the bittersweet feeling of “I wish I had known sooner.” Self-discovery can be liberating—and healing doesn’t require “fixing” who you are.
6. Eating Disorders
These involve distorted relationships with food, body image, and control:
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge-Eating Disorder
These are never just about food. They’re often about pain, perfectionism, and control in a world that feels overwhelming.
7. Psychotic Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective Disorder
These disorders can involve hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking. They are among the most stigmatized—yet those living with them are still capable of meaningful lives, relationships, and contributions to the world.
It’s More Than a Diagnosis
These labels can be helpful for treatment and understanding—but they are not your identity. We’re not broken because we struggle. And someone else’s diagnosis doesn’t define who they are.
We’ve learned that what matters most is compassion. Diagnoses can explain symptoms, but they can never define the fullness of a person’s spirit or the depth of their resilience.
If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone
Many of us go through life not realizing we’re living with a mental illness—or we suspect something is “off,” but we don’t know how to name it. That uncertainty can feel isolating. But you’re not alone in that, either.
We want you to know that help is out there. And healing? It’s not linear—but it is possible.
Let’s Keep This Conversation Going
Have you ever felt unsure about your mental health or struggled to find a diagnosis that felt true to your experience?
Do you relate to one or more of the categories above?
We’d love to hold space for your reflections. Drop a comment or join our Let’s Heal Together community—we’re here to support, listen, and walk with you every step of the way.