🧠 Easy Read A–Z Mental Health Disorders
Instructions for learners:
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This is a guide to common mental illnesses and disorders.
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Each letter includes name, explanation, support, and a helpful symbol.
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Use it as a reference when learning about mental health.
A
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ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
Trouble focusing, hyperactivity, or acting impulsively.
✅ Support: Structured routines, therapy, support at school/work.
🧠 Symbol: brain with sparkles -
Anxiety
Feeling worried, nervous, or scared often.
✅ Support: Therapy, breathing exercises, relaxation.
💭 Symbol: thought cloud -
Anorexia Nervosa
Eating disorder with restricted food intake and fear of weight gain.
✅ Support: Specialist therapy, nutrition support.
🍎 Symbol: apple -
Alcohol Use Disorder
Trouble controlling alcohol use.
✅ Support: Detox programs, counselling, recovery groups.
🚫 Symbol: no-drink icon -
Alzheimer’s
Memory loss and thinking difficulties, usually in older age.
✅ Support: Routine, memory support, therapy.
🧓 Symbol: elderly person
B
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Bipolar Disorder
Mood changes: high (mania) and low (depression).
✅ Support: Medication, therapy, structure.
⚡ Symbol: sun and rain cloud -
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Emotional instability, fear of abandonment, impulsivity.
✅ Support: DBT, MBT, emotional support.
💔 Symbol: broken heart -
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Excessive concern about appearance.
✅ Support: CBT, therapy, support groups.
🪞 Symbol: mirror -
Bulimia Nervosa
Eating disorder with bingeing and purging.
✅ Support: Specialist therapy, nutrition support.
🍽 Symbol: plate with fork -
Binge Eating Disorder
Eating large amounts of food uncontrollably.
✅ Support: CBT, therapy, nutrition support.
🍲 Symbol: bowl
C
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Claustrophobia – fear of small spaces.
✅ Support: Exposure therapy, gradual steps.
🏠 Symbol: small house -
Conduct Disorder – trouble following rules, aggression.
✅ Support: Therapy, behaviour support.
⚖️ Symbol: scales -
Cyclothymia – mild mood swings.
✅ Support: Therapy, mood monitoring.
🌈 Symbol: rainbow
D
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Depression – low mood, loss of interest, fatigue.
✅ Support: Therapy, medication, social support.
☁️ Symbol: cloud with rain -
Dissociative Disorders – feeling disconnected from self.
✅ Support: Therapy, grounding techniques.
🌀 Symbol: spiral -
Dementia – memory and thinking difficulties.
✅ Support: Routine, memory aids, therapy.
🧓 Symbol: elderly person
E
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Eating Disorders – include anorexia, bulimia, binge eating.
✅ Support: Specialist therapy, nutrition support.
🍎 Symbol: apple
F
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Fabricated or Induced Illness (Munchausen Syndrome) – making up symptoms.
✅ Support: Therapy, medical supervision.
🏥 Symbol: hospital
G
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Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – excessive worry most days.
✅ Support: Therapy, deep breathing, self-care.
💭 Symbol: cloud with question mark
H
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Hoarding Disorder – difficulty discarding items.
✅ Support: Therapy, support for decluttering.
📦 Symbol: box -
Health Anxiety – worry about having illness.
✅ Support: CBT, therapy.
🩺 Symbol: stethoscope -
Histrionic Personality Disorder – excessive attention-seeking.
✅ Support: Therapy, support for relationships.
🎭 Symbol: theatre masks
I
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Impulse Control Disorders – trouble resisting urges.
✅ Support: Therapy, coping strategies.
⚡ Symbol: lightning bolt -
Intellectual Disabilities – difficulties with learning and daily life skills.
✅ Support: Education support, therapy.
🧠 Symbol: brain
M
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Major Depressive Disorder – severe depression.
✅ Support: Therapy, medication, social support.
☁️ Symbol: dark cloud -
Munchausen Syndrome – see Fabricated Illness.
N
-
Narcissistic Personality Disorder – extreme self-focus, low empathy.
✅ Support: Therapy, relationship support.
🪞 Symbol: mirror
O
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – unwanted repetitive thoughts/actions.
✅ Support: CBT, exposure therapy.
🔄 Symbol: cycle arrows -
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) – angry, argumentative behaviour.
✅ Support: Behaviour therapy, support for parents/teachers.
⚡ Symbol: lightning
P
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Panic Disorder – sudden intense fear.
✅ Support: CBT, relaxation, coping skills.
💓 Symbol: heart -
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – distress after trauma.
✅ Support: Therapy, EMDR, grounding techniques.
🌧 Symbol: storm cloud -
Psychosis – loss of touch with reality.
✅ Support: Medication, therapy, structured support.
🧠 Symbol: thought bubble -
Paranoia – strong suspicious thoughts.
✅ Support: Therapy, medication if needed.
👁 Symbol: eye -
Phobias – intense fear of specific things.
✅ Support: Exposure therapy, gradual steps.
⚠️ Symbol: caution sign
R
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Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) – difficulty trusting/connecting with others.
✅ Support: Consistent routines, loving care, therapy.
🧸 Symbol: heart + child
S
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Schizophrenia – affects thinking, reality, and perception.
✅ Support: Medication, therapy, community support.
🧠 Symbol: thought bubble with sparkles -
Social Anxiety Disorder – fear of social situations.
✅ Support: Therapy, confidence-building.
🤝 Symbol: two people -
Substance Use Disorder – problems controlling drugs/alcohol.
✅ Support: Detox programs, counselling, recovery groups.
🚫 Symbol: no-drink/drug icon -
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – depression linked to seasons.
✅ Support: Light therapy, therapy.
🌞 Symbol: sun/cloud -
Self-Harm – harming oneself intentionally.
✅ Support: Therapy, safety planning, support networks.
🖊 Symbol: lifeline
T
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Trichotillomania – hair-pulling disorder.
✅ Support: CBT, therapy.
🌀 Symbol: spiral -
Tourette’s Syndrome – tics, sudden movements/sounds.
✅ Support: Understanding, patience, relaxation.
🎯 Symbol: target -
Trauma – strong emotional reaction to frightening/painful events.
✅ Support: Talking therapy, grounding tools.
🌧 Symbol: storm cloud
W
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Worry / GAD – persistent worrying.
✅ Support: Therapy, self-care, breathing exercises.
💭 Symbol: thought cloud
Z
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Zoom Fatigue / Screen Stress – tired or stressed after screens/video calls.
✅ Support: Take breaks, stretch, offline time.
💻 Symbol: computer + coffee cup
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