The rapid growth of population along with increasing social and economic problems has caused the number of people suffering from mental disorders to rise every year. Below are 50 facts about mental disorders that you may not know.

1. Depression Can Trigger Suicide

Severe depression occurs due to low levels of dopamine in the brain. This condition causes feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness, which can lead to suicide. According to WHO data, one person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.

2. Traffic Jams Reduce Mental Ability

Being stuck in traffic for at least 30 minutes can intensify electrical activity in the brain, potentially causing behavioral and personality changes due to impaired logic, decision-making, and high stress levels. Exposure to traffic congestion for 90 days is believed to be sufficient to alter DNA.

3. Walking Helps Relieve Stress

Light physical activity is an effective way to relieve stress because it helps distract the mind. A calm morning walk can refresh the mind. Walking along streets, beaches, or peaceful places offers relaxation.

4. Reading Books in Bed Helps Reduce Stress

Reading is a great escape that can make you feel refreshed and relaxed. A warm and comfortable bed provides a peaceful space to ease stress. Reading allows you to temporarily forget your problems and refocus your thoughts.

5. Watching Funny Videos Online Reduces Stress

Compared to calling friends or sending messages, browsing the internet—especially watching humorous videos—is believed to be more effective in reducing workplace stress and enabling employees to work longer hours.

6. Music Helps Reduce Stress

Listening to favorite music can increase work performance by up to 10 percent. Certain types of music activate parts of the brain associated with motivation.

7. Exercise Helps Prevent Mental Illness

Exercise not only strengthens the heart and lungs but also releases endorphins—powerful chemicals that boost energy and improve mood.

8. Sunlight Helps Prevent Mental Disorders

Sunlight exposure can improve mood. Try to get at least 10–15 minutes of sunlight exposure each day.

9. Maternal Stress During Pregnancy

Mothers who experience stress during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to children who are irritable and difficult to manage due to stress hormones affecting fetal mental development.

10. Fear of Clowns Can Be a Mental Disorder

People who fear clowns may experience panic attacks, perceiving clowns as terrifying monsters rather than humorous figures.

11. Abortion Can Trigger Mental Disorders

Abortion may affect emotional and spiritual well-being, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

12. Headaches Are an Effect of Stress

Frequent stress and tension can cause headaches. Severe headaches due to mental strain should be examined by a doctor.

13. Rapid Mood Swings

Mental health can be identified through mood stability. Rapid mood changes are a symptom of mental health disorders that should not be ignored.

14. Extreme Diets Cause Mental Disorders

Improper dieting can lead to depression due to frustration and despair, accompanied by fatigue, irritability, lack of focus, and low self-confidence.

15. Excessive Stress Can Cause Blindness

Severe stress can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and even blindness due to persistent high blood pressure.

16. Back Pain May Indicate Depression

People with depression tend to exercise less and eat poorly, making them more susceptible to physical pain, especially in the back, muscles, and joints.

17. Swimming Calms the Brain

Research shows that water has a calming effect on the brain, similar to meditation.

18. Women Are Twice as Vulnerable to Stress

Studies show that women experience stress and mood changes more quickly due to hormonal influences.

19. Stress Affects Dental Health

Mental stress increases the risk of tooth loss and decay by affecting oral health.

20. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

This disorder is characterized by excessive ego, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, masking fragile self-esteem.

21. Sex Addiction

Sex addiction is not merely about desire but about the inability to control behavior.

22. Excessive Selfies

Uncontrollable selfie-taking behavior may indicate a personality disorder.

23. Latah as a Mental Issue

Although difficult to categorize, psychiatrists consider latah as a mental health issue.

24. Compulsive Behavior

Repeating actions or thoughts excessively may indicate Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

25. Recurrent Panic Attacks

Repeated panic attacks may lead to panic disorder and cause avoidance behaviors.

26. Excessive Worry

Worry lasting more than six months may indicate Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

27. Abnormal Physical Changes in Children

Sudden physical changes may indicate substance abuse or depression.

28. Sexual Dysfunction

Depression is a common cause of reduced libido and sexual dysfunction.

29. Irregular Sleep Patterns

Insomnia or excessive sleep is a common symptom of depression.

30. Fear of Social Interaction

Excessive fear of social situations may indicate social anxiety disorder.

31. Chronic Stomach Pain

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is often associated with anxiety disorders.

32. Phobias

Specific fears such as flying or animals fall under anxiety disorders called phobias.

33. Allergies Increase Mental Health Risks

Severe allergies in childhood may increase the risk of mental disorders in adulthood.

34. Low-Battery Anxiety

Panic caused by low phone battery is a modern anxiety phenomenon.

35. Overuse of Medication

Certain medications can trigger depression, including opioid painkillers.

36. Body Image Disorders in Women

Common among women in their 20s due to excessive concern over physical appearance.

37. Excessive Complaining

Over-complaining may indicate underlying mental health issues.

38. Facebook Addiction and Depression

People addicted to Facebook often have low self-esteem and are prone to depression.

39. Nomophobia

Fear of being without a mobile phone is a form of phobia.

40. Chronic Inferiority Feelings

Persistent feelings of inadequacy are common in anxiety disorders.

41. Extreme Perfectionism

Excessive perfectionism may indicate anxiety disorders.

42. Traumatic Flashbacks

Recurring memories of trauma are symptoms of PTSD.

43. Feeling Constantly Judged

Anxiety sufferers often feel observed, leading to physical symptoms such as trembling and nausea.

44. Severe Stage Fright

Extreme fear of public speaking may indicate social anxiety disorder.

45. Irrational Fear

Disproportionate fear of certain objects or situations indicates phobia.

46. Insomnia as a Mental Disorder Sign

Insomnia can indicate psychological problems caused by anxiety.

47. Lack of Focus

Difficulty concentrating is common in ADHD and depression.

48. Sleeping with TV On Triggers Depression

Exposure to light during sleep disrupts the body’s biological clock.

49. Extreme Behavioral Changes in Children

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) often appears in children and early adolescents.

50. Coffee Intoxication Causes Mental Disorders

Excessive caffeine consumption can lead to mental disturbances known as caffeine intoxication.

Source: DetikHealth