Resources · Conditions

Every condition, in plain language.

Clear, clinically reviewed guides to mental health conditions, written for everyone, not just professionals. What each condition is, what it feels like, what causes it, and what actually helps. No jargon, no fear, no myths.

This is general information, not diagnosis. Diagnostic definitions follow the DSM-5-TR, explained here in our own plain words. How we work →

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Conditions that begin early in life and shape how a person learns, communicates, and develops.

Intellectual disability
Intellectual Developmental Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Family
Read guide
Developmental delay (under 5s)
Global Developmental Delay
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Family
Read guide
Language disorder
Language Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Education
Read guide
Speech sound disorder
Speech Sound Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Education
Read guide
Stuttering
Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Stigma
Read guide
Social communication disorder
Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth
Read guide
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism, Youth, Family, Education
Read guide
ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD, Youth, Education, Workplace
Read guide
Learning disorders (reading, writing, maths)
Specific Learning Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Education
Read guide
Coordination disorder
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth
Read guide
Stereotypic movement disorder
Stereotypic Movement Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth
Read guide
Tourette syndrome and tic disorders
Tourette's Disorder
Neurodevelopmental, Youth, Stigma
Read guide

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Conditions that can change how a person experiences reality, including hallucinations and unusual beliefs.

Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Stigma, Family
Read guide
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia, Psychosis, Depression
Read guide
Delusional disorder
Delusional Disorder
Psychosis
Read guide
Brief psychosis
Brief Psychotic Disorder
Psychosis, Crisis
Read guide
Schizophreniform disorder
Schizophreniform Disorder
Psychosis
Read guide
Psychosis caused by substances
Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder
Psychosis, Addiction
Read guide
Psychosis from a medical condition
Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
Psychosis
Read guide
Catatonia
Catatonia
Psychosis
Read guide

Bipolar and Related Disorders

Marked swings in mood and energy, from emotional highs to deep lows.

Bipolar disorder (type I)
Bipolar I Disorder
Bipolar disorder, Psychosis
Read guide
Bipolar disorder (type II)
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar disorder, Depression
Read guide
Cyclothymia
Cyclothymic Disorder
Bipolar disorder
Read guide
Mood swings caused by substances
Substance/Medication-Induced Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, Addiction
Read guide
Bipolar symptoms from a medical condition
Bipolar Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
Bipolar disorder
Read guide

Depressive Disorders

Lasting low mood and loss of interest that affect daily life, not just passing sadness.

Depression
Major Depressive Disorder
Depression, Therapy, Medication
Read guide
Long-term (chronic) depression
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Depression, Therapy
Read guide
PMDD: severe premenstrual mood disorder
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Depression, Women's mental health
Read guide
DMDD: chronic irritability in children
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Depression, Youth, Family
Read guide
Depression caused by substances or medicines
Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder
Depression, Addiction, Medication
Read guide
Depression from a medical condition
Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
Depression
Read guide

Anxiety Disorders

Worry, fear, or panic that becomes overwhelming and hard to switch off.

Generalised anxiety (constant worry)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety, Therapy
Read guide
Panic attacks and panic disorder
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder, Anxiety, Crisis
Read guide
Social anxiety
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety, Anxiety, Youth
Read guide
Phobias
Specific Phobia
Anxiety
Read guide
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia
Anxiety, Panic disorder
Read guide
Separation anxiety (children and adults)
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety, Youth, Family
Read guide
Selective mutism
Selective Mutism
Anxiety, Youth, Education
Read guide
Anxiety caused by substances or medicines
Substance/Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety, Addiction
Read guide

Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

Unwanted, repetitive thoughts and the urge to perform certain actions to ease them.

OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
OCD, Anxiety, Therapy
Read guide
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
OCD, Eating disorders (related), Youth
Read guide
Hoarding disorder
Hoarding Disorder
OCD
Read guide
Hair-pulling disorder
Trichotillomania
OCD, Self-harm (related)
Read guide
Skin-picking disorder
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
OCD, Self-harm (related)
Read guide

Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders

Reactions that follow frightening, painful, or deeply stressful experiences.

PTSD
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD, Trauma, Therapy
Read guide
Acute stress reaction (first month after trauma)
Acute Stress Disorder
Trauma, Crisis
Read guide
Adjustment difficulties after life changes
Adjustment Disorders
Trauma, Grief
Read guide
Prolonged grief
Prolonged Grief Disorder
Grief, Trauma, Family
Read guide
Reactive attachment disorder (children)
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Trauma, Youth, Family
Read guide
Disinhibited social engagement (children)
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
Trauma, Youth, Family
Read guide

Dissociative Disorders

A sense of disconnection from your thoughts, memories, surroundings, or sense of self.

Dissociative identity disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociation, Trauma
Read guide
Dissociative amnesia
Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociation, Trauma
Read guide
Feeling unreal: depersonalisation and derealisation
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
Dissociation, Anxiety, Trauma
Read guide

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders

Real physical symptoms that are closely linked to emotional distress.

When the body carries distress
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Mind-body, Anxiety, Access to care
Read guide
Health anxiety
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Mind-body, Anxiety
Read guide
Functional neurological disorder
Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder
Mind-body, Trauma
Read guide
When stress worsens physical illness
Psychological Factors Affecting Other Medical Conditions
Mind-body, Research
Read guide
Factitious disorder
Factitious Disorder
Mind-body
Read guide

Feeding and Eating Disorders

A difficult relationship with food, eating, and body image that affects health.

Anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa
Eating disorders, Youth, Women's mental health
Read guide
Bulimia
Bulimia Nervosa
Eating disorders, Youth
Read guide
Binge-eating disorder
Binge-Eating Disorder
Eating disorders
Read guide
ARFID: extreme restricted eating
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Eating disorders, Youth, Autism (overlap)
Read guide
Pica: eating non-food items
Pica
Eating disorders, Youth
Read guide
Rumination disorder
Rumination Disorder
Eating disorders, Youth
Read guide

Elimination Disorders

Difficulties with bladder or bowel control, most often seen in children.

Bedwetting beyond the expected age
Enuresis
Youth, Family
Read guide
Soiling beyond the expected age
Encopresis
Youth, Family
Read guide

Sleep-Wake Disorders

Ongoing trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested.

Insomnia
Insomnia Disorder
Sleep, Anxiety, Workplace
Read guide
Excessive sleepiness
Hypersomnolence Disorder
Sleep
Read guide
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy
Sleep
Read guide
Sleep apnoea
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Hypopnoea
Sleep, Mind-body
Read guide
Body-clock sleep problems (incl. shift work)
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
Sleep, Workplace
Read guide
Sleepwalking and sleep terrors
NREM Sleep Arousal Disorders
Sleep, Youth
Read guide
Nightmare disorder
Nightmare Disorder
Sleep, PTSD, Trauma
Read guide
Acting out dreams (REM behaviour disorder)
REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder
Sleep, Elderly
Read guide
Restless legs syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome
Sleep, Mind-body
Read guide

Sexual Dysfunctions

Persistent difficulties with sexual response, comfort, or satisfaction.

Erectile difficulties
Erectile Disorder
Sexual health, Men's mental health, Relationships
Read guide
Low sexual interest and arousal (women)
Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
Sexual health, Women's mental health, Relationships
Read guide
Orgasmic difficulties (women)
Female Orgasmic Disorder
Sexual health, Women's mental health
Read guide
Low sexual desire (men)
Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Sexual health, Men's mental health
Read guide
Early ejaculation
Premature (Early) Ejaculation
Sexual health, Men's mental health
Read guide
Delayed ejaculation
Delayed Ejaculation
Sexual health, Men's mental health
Read guide
Pain during sex
Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder
Sexual health, Women's mental health
Read guide

Gender Dysphoria

The distress that can come from a mismatch between gender identity and sex assigned at birth.

Gender dysphoria
Gender Dysphoria
Stigma, Youth, Access to care
Read guide

Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

Ongoing difficulty controlling impulses, anger, or behaviour in ways that affect others.

Oppositional defiant disorder (children)
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Youth, Family, Education
Read guide
Conduct disorder
Conduct Disorder
Youth, Family, Education
Read guide
Explosive anger episodes
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Personality & behaviour, Relationships
Read guide
Kleptomania
Kleptomania
Personality & behaviour
Read guide
Pyromania
Pyromania
Personality & behaviour
Read guide

Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

Patterns of substance use, or certain behaviours, that become harmful and hard to control.

Alcohol addiction
Alcohol Use Disorder
Addiction, Family, Community
Read guide
Cannabis (bhang) addiction
Cannabis Use Disorder
Addiction, Youth
Read guide
Opioid addiction (incl. heroin)
Opioid Use Disorder
Addiction, Crisis
Read guide
Stimulant addiction (incl. khat/miraa)
Stimulant Use Disorder
Addiction, Youth, Community
Read guide
Tobacco and nicotine addiction
Tobacco Use Disorder
Addiction
Read guide
Sleeping-pill and sedative dependence
Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder
Addiction, Medication
Read guide
Hallucinogen-related problems
Hallucinogen-Related Disorders
Addiction
Read guide
Inhalant (glue) addiction
Inhalant Use Disorder
Addiction, Youth, Policy
Read guide
Caffeine problems
Caffeine-Related Disorders
Addiction
Read guide
Gambling addiction (incl. betting apps)
Gambling Disorder
Addiction, Youth, Policy
Read guide

Neurocognitive Disorders

Changes in memory, thinking, and reasoning, including the dementias.

Delirium: sudden confusion
Delirium
Dementia (related), Elderly, Crisis
Read guide
Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Major Neurocognitive Disorder (Alzheimer's)
Dementia, Elderly, Caregiver, Family
Read guide
Vascular dementia (after stroke)
Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder
Dementia, Elderly
Read guide
HIV-associated memory and thinking problems
Neurocognitive Disorder Due to HIV Infection
Dementia, Access to care, Stigma
Read guide
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal Neurocognitive Disorder
Dementia, Elderly
Read guide
Lewy body dementia
Neurocognitive Disorder with Lewy Bodies
Dementia, Elderly
Read guide
Memory problems after head injury
Neurocognitive Disorder Due to TBI
Dementia, Trauma
Read guide
Mild cognitive impairment
Mild Neurocognitive Disorder
Dementia, Elderly
Read guide

Personality Disorders

Long-standing patterns of thinking and relating to others that cause distress.

Borderline personality disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality, Personality & behaviour, Self-harm
Read guide
Antisocial personality disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour
Read guide
Narcissistic personality disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour, Relationships
Read guide
Avoidant personality disorder
Avoidant Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour, Social anxiety
Read guide
Obsessive-compulsive personality (OCPD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour, OCD (distinct)
Read guide
Dependent personality disorder
Dependent Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour, Relationships
Read guide
Histrionic personality disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour
Read guide
Paranoid personality disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour
Read guide
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour
Read guide
Schizotypal personality disorder
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Personality & behaviour, Psychosis (related)
Read guide

Paraphilic Disorders

Covered factually and respectfully, with a focus on consent, distress, and harm.

Paraphilic disorders: overview
Paraphilic Disorders (chapter overview)
Therapy, Policy
Read guide

If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone and support is available right now. Befrienders Kenya: +254 722 178 177 · Emergency services: 999 / 112

Find support near you →