A picture showing rare mental health disorders

What are Rare Mental Health Disorders?

Rare mental health disorders are psychological disorders which affect only a very small percentage of the population. For purposes of comparison, in the United States, a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 people at any given time. These disorders can be challenging to diagnose and treat because they are not as common, and the research available may be limited.

The symptoms of a rare mental disorder are usually complex and may share a number of characteristics with common disorders, hence, making diagnosis very challenging. They tend to affect the daily functioning of a person, his interpersonal relationships, and overall life. Despite their rarity, they are entitled to attention and proper treatment.

5 Signs of Rare Mental Health Disorders

While symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific disorder, five general signs which may hint at the presence of a rare mental health condition include:

Unusual thought patterns or beliefs: People with unusual mental conditions generally harbor thoughts or beliefs that are very different from the thinking and belief patterns posited by cultural norms. A good example is a person who has Cotard’s syndrome insisting that he or she is dead, or their internal parts rot.
Wild mood or behavior changes: While mood swings are not uncommon, those suffering from some very rare conditions may suddenly, strongly, and unpredictably shift into extreme states of mood or action that one does not easily explain or control.
Sensory abnormalities: Some very rare conditions have some strange features concerning one’s senses. People suffering from Alice in Wonderland syndrome may perceive things or body parts as larger or smaller than they really are.
Severe impairment in daily functioning: In many rare occurrences, these disorders render a patient incapable of continuing with normal daily activities, maintaining interpersonal relationships, or working. The extent of disruption in such cases tends usually to be greater than in other cases.
Symptoms combination that do not match known diagnoses: Whenever a patient has symptoms that cannot be explained by common diagnoses in psychiatry, this might point to one of the few rare conditions.

Remember that the occurrence of one or more of these signs does not necessarily indicate a rare mental health disorder. Many of these signs also share symptoms with more familiar conditions or can even be related to normal responses from stress. You really need a qualified professional in the field of mental health for an accurate diagnosis.

Types of Rare Mental Health Disorders

Some of the less frequently discussed types of mental health disorders and their specifics include the following examples:

Capgras Syndrome: a condition wherein one truly believes that a friend, spouse, parent, or other close family member has been replaced by an identical-looking imposter.
Diogenes Syndrome: Also known as senile squalor syndrome, it is a condition where individuals exhibit extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, and compulsive hoarding of garbage or animals.
Stendhal Syndrome: This disorder involves symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, confusion, and hallucinations when someone is exposed to art, especially beautiful or numerous works of art.
Trichotillomania: This is an impulse control disorder, characterized by recurrent, irresistible urges to pull out hair from scalp, eyebrows, or other parts of the body.
Alien Hand Syndrome: This is a neurological disorder where one’s hand seems to be acting independently of its own will, or outside the person’s conscious control.

These are among the numerous rare mental health disorders. Each has its particularities in terms of knowledge needed for understanding and treatment methods.

Can I Get a Mental Health Disorder?

Any person, regardless of age, sex, and background, can be affected by all types of mental health disorders, including the rarer varieties. Although the exact causes of most mental health disorders are incompletely understood, a number of factors contribute to their development:

Genetics: Some mental health disorders are related to genetics; the history could thus run in families.
Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitter imbalances-the chemical messengers inside the brain-are capable of creating a specific state of mental health disorder.
Environmental factors: Traumatic events, chronic stress, abuse, or neglect throughout one’s life may contribute to or influence the risk for mental health problems.
Drug and alcohol use: Long-term use of drugs and alcohol can lead to changes in the brain, thereby contributing to mental health disorders.
Medical conditions: Certain problems in physical health may contribute to mental health disorders.

Note that the presence of risk factors does not actually guarantee that you will develop a mental health disorder. You are also at a risk of developing a disorder even when there are no apparent risk factors. Mental health is complicated, and whether you develop a disorder or not depends on multiple factors: biological, psychological, and social.

How to Get Mental Health Disorder Assistance

If you have a problem with your mental health or find signs that may be worrisome, it is advisable that you get specialist advice. Here are ways to get help:

Consult your primary care physician: He may perform an initial evaluation and refer you to a mental health specialist if necessary.
Consult a mental health professional: Psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed therapists are trained professionals who know just about diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.
Contact community mental health centers: Many of these offer low-cost care and can be an extremely valuable resource for those individuals without insurance.
Online resources: Websites, like SAMHSA.gov, have helplines and treatment locators on them.
**Support groups could be researched: For example, NAMI-National Alliance on Mental Illness-offers support groups and educational resources to individuals and families dealing with mental illness.
Emergency Support: Please call 911 or go to your nearest ER if you’re feeling like you are in mental health crisis. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for immediate support.

Conclusion

Let’s not forget: asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. The professionals in mental health are fully trained to provide confidential and non-judgmental support and treatment. And with appropriate care, many people can manage their symptoms effectively, even those with very rare disorders, and lead full lives.

In the end, however difficult rare mental health disorders are to find and understand, awareness has to be created first for a proper diagnosis to take place. If you or someone close to you is struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate from seeking professional help. Not everyone needs support in maintaining their mental well-being, no matter how common or rare their condition is.

5 Signs You Have Rare Mental Health Disorders