15 Mental Disorders That Most People Have Never Heard About

Mental health is just as important as physical health. While most of us know all about anxiety, depression, and even bipolar disease, there are a lot of mental health disorders that are much lesser known. Many of them go undiagnosed which can have detrimental effects on both the person with the disorder and those who love them. Learning about these 14 disorders will help you identify these rarely recognized mental disorders that deserve attention.
Note: The content of this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice tailored to your individual circumstances.
Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (DPDR)

Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder is being detached from one’s body or experiencing the world as unreal. Individuals with DPDR may feel like they are observing themselves from outside their body or that their surroundings are distorted. It can cause the affected person to struggle to feel connected to reality. Despite its serious nature, DPDR is often overlooked, and sufferers may go years without a diagnosis.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)

Intermittent Explosive Disorder involves sudden episodes of unwarranted anger and aggression, often disproportionate to the situation at hand. People with this disorder may experience intense outbursts of rage that can be triggered by minor annoyances or frustrations. These episodes can lead to physical altercations, property damage, or verbal abuse and are typically followed by feelings of remorse or shame.
Misophonia

Misophonia is an extreme emotional reaction (such as anger, anxiety, or disgust) to certain sounds. Common triggers include chewing, breathing, tapping, or other repetitive noises. These sounds can provoke intense distress in individuals with misophonia, leading to social isolation. Misophonia is still a relatively new concept in the mental health field and is often misinterpreted as oversensitivity.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

Body Dysmorphic Disorder involves an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one’s physical appearance, which may be minor or nonexistent to others. Individuals with BDD may spend hours each day fixating on their appearance. This preoccupation can lead to severe emotional distress, anxiety, and depression, yet BDD is often misunderstood as low self-esteem, preventing those affected from receiving proper help.
Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding Disorder is characterized by extreme resistance to removing items and possessions, regardless of their value. This behavior results in an excessive accumulation of items, leading to cluttered living spaces that can become hazardous. Hoarding is not simply a matter of collecting; it is a difficult condition that can cause distress and impairment. However, it is often dismissed as mere messiness.
Pica

Pica is an eating disorder involving the consumption of non-food substances, such as dirt, chalk, paper, or soap. This behavior can be dangerous, leading to medical complications like poisoning, infections, or nutritional deficiencies. Pica is more common in children and pregnant women but can affect individuals of any age. Despite its potential severity, Pica is often overlooked or misunderstood.
Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder)

Trichotillomania causes individuals an irresistible urge to pull their hair out, causing hair loss and distress. This disorder is often linked to anxiety or stress and can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body areas. Those with trichotillomania may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their behavior. Unfortunately, this disorder is frequently misunderstood as a bad habit or self-destructive behavior.
Kleptomania

Kleptomania is a rare impulse control disorder characterized by the recurrent urge to steal items, typically those of little value or use to the individual. The act of stealing is not motivated by financial need or personal gain but rather by an uncontrollable impulse that provides temporary relief or gratification. Kleptomania can lead to legal problems, guilt, and shame, yet it is often dismissed as simple theft.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Dissociative Identity Disorder means having two or more distinct personality states within an individual. These different identities may have their own names, ages, genders, and characteristics and can take control of the person’s behavior at different times. DID often develops as a response to severe trauma, particularly in childhood, as a way of coping with unbearable experiences.
Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder where individuals have trouble speaking in specific social situations, such as at school or in public. Those with selective mutism are often misunderstood as being shy, stubborn, or defiant when, in reality, their inability to speak is a result of intense fear or anxiety. Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial for helping individuals with selective mutism.
Clythothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic Disorder (a form of bipolar disorder) is characterized by chronic mood fluctuations that include periods of mild depression and hypomania. These mood swings can be less intense than those seen in bipolar disorder, but they still disrupt the individual’s life and relationships. Because the symptoms are not as severe, cyclothymic disorder is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as moodiness.
Somatic Symptom Disorder

Somatic Symptom Disorder involves an excessive focus on physical symptoms, causes significant distress, and impacts daily functioning. The symptoms are real and not imagined, but the individual’s reaction to them is disproportionate, leading to frequent medical visits and anxiety about their health. Somatic Symptom Disorder is often misunderstood as hypochondria or dismissed as “all in the head.”
Stendhal Syndrome

Stendhal Syndrome is a psychological condition characterized by intense emotional reactions, such as anxiety, dizziness, or even hallucinations, in response to art, beauty, or overwhelming cultural experiences. Named after the French writer Stendhal, this syndrome often occurs in individuals who are sensitive to their surroundings. Those affected will often experience symptoms when exposed to particularly stunning art or architecture, leading to a sense of being overwhelmed by beauty. While it’s not classified as a formal mental disorder, Stendhal Syndrome highlights the profound impact that art and beauty can have on our emotional and psychological well-being.
Paranoid Personality Disorder

Paranoid Personality Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by pervasive mistrust and suspicion of others, even without reason or evidence. People with PPD often believe that others are plotting against them or trying to harm them, which can make it difficult to form close relationships. They tend to interpret harmless comments or actions as malicious, which can cause them to be overly defensive and distant. This constant state of suspicion can create challenges in both personal and professional interactions, often leading to isolation and strained relationships.