The Field Guide to what is going on in your head.

Worry that is hard to switch off, about many things, most days, for months.

Classified under “Anxiety disorders” (ICD-10-CM F41.1). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Always braced for something to go wrong
• Tense muscles, poor sleep, short fuse
• Trouble concentrating because the mind keeps scanning

What helps: Therapy (often CBT), sometimes medication, plus sleep, movement and skills practice.

Sudden surges of intense fear with strong body symptoms, and dread of the next one.

Classified under “Anxiety disorders” (ICD-10-CM F41.0). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Racing heart, short breath, feeling like you are dying
• Avoiding places where an attack happened
• ER visits that find nothing wrong

What helps: CBT with gradual exposure is very effective. Medication can help.

Strong fear of being judged or embarrassed in front of other people.

Classified under “Anxiety disorders” (ICD-10-CM F40.10). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Avoiding calls, meetings, eating in public
• Replaying conversations for days
• Using alcohol to get through social events

What helps: CBT and exposure practice, sometimes medication.

A low or empty mood, or loss of interest, lasting weeks and changing how you function.

Classified under “Depressive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F32 / F33). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Nothing feels good anymore
• Sleep and appetite change
• Guilt, worthlessness, thoughts of death

What helps: Therapy, medication, or both. Activity and connection are part of treatment, not extras.

A lower-grade depression that lasts for years and starts to feel like your personality.

Classified under “Depressive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F34.1). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• "I've always been like this"
• Low energy and low self-worth most days
• Functioning, but joyless

What helps: Therapy and often medication. It is treatable even after many years.

Episodes of mania: days of very high or irritable mood and energy, often with depression at other times.

Classified under “Bipolar and related disorders” (ICD-10-CM F31). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Little need for sleep without feeling tired
• Big risky decisions, fast speech, racing ideas
• Crashes into deep depression

What helps: Mood-stabilizing medication is the foundation, with therapy and steady routines.

Depressive episodes plus hypomania, a milder high that can pass for a great week.

Classified under “Bipolar and related disorders” (ICD-10-CM F31.81). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Mostly depression, with bursts of energy and confidence
• Often first diagnosed as depression
• Antidepressants alone may make it worse

What helps: Medication managed by a prescriber who knows bipolar, plus therapy.

After a trauma, the memory keeps intruding and the body stays on guard.

Classified under “Trauma- and stressor-related disorders” (ICD-10-CM F43.10). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Flashbacks and nightmares
• Avoiding reminders
• Jumpy, numb, or both
• Using substances to quiet it

What helps: Trauma-focused therapy such as EMDR, prolonged exposure or CPT. Medication can help symptoms.

A stronger-than-expected reaction to a life change, like a breakup, job loss or move.

Classified under “Trauma- and stressor-related disorders” (ICD-10-CM F43.2). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Starts within months of the event
• Sadness, worry or acting out
• Trouble keeping up with work or home

What helps: Short-term therapy and coping skills. It usually resolves as you adapt.

Grief that stays intense and disabling long after a loss.

Classified under “Trauma- and stressor-related disorders” (ICD-10-CM F43.81). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Constant longing for the person
• Feeling life has no meaning without them
• Unable to return to daily life after a year or more

What helps: Grief-focused therapy. Support groups help many people.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts and the rituals done to calm them.

Classified under “Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders” (ICD-10-CM F42). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Checking, washing, counting, repeating
• Disturbing thoughts that go against your values
• Hours lost to rituals or mental reviewing

What helps: Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, sometimes with medication.

A lifelong pattern of inattention, impulsivity or restlessness that gets in the way.

Classified under “Neurodevelopmental disorders” (ICD-10-CM F90). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Starting everything, finishing little
• Losing things, running late
• Higher risk of substance problems when untreated

What helps: Medication, skills coaching and structure. Tell your prescriber about any substance history.

Restricting food and fearing weight gain to the point of harming the body.

Classified under “Feeding and eating disorders” (ICD-10-CM F50.0). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Strict food rules, intense fear of gaining
• Seeing your body differently than others do
• Medical complications

What helps: Specialized medical, nutritional and therapy care. This one needs a team.

Cycles of binge eating followed by purging or other ways to undo it.

Classified under “Feeding and eating disorders” (ICD-10-CM F50.2). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Eating large amounts feeling out of control
• Vomiting, laxatives, over-exercise
• Secrecy and shame

What helps: CBT designed for eating disorders, medical monitoring, sometimes medication.

Repeated binges with distress, without regular purging.

Classified under “Feeding and eating disorders” (ICD-10-CM F50.81). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Eating fast, past full, often alone
• Guilt afterward
• Dieting that backfires

What helps: Therapy, regular eating patterns, sometimes medication.

Trouble falling or staying asleep, several nights a week, for months.

Classified under “Sleep-wake disorders” (ICD-10-CM F51.01). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Tired but wired
• Dreading bedtime
• Using alcohol or pills to knock out

What helps: CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) works better long-term than sleep medication.

A condition affecting how a person perceives reality, thinks and relates.

Classified under “Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders” (ICD-10-CM F20). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Hearing or seeing things others do not
• Fixed beliefs that do not match reality
• Withdrawal, flat mood, disorganized thinking

What helps: Antipsychotic medication, coordinated specialty care and family support. Early treatment matters.

Intense, fast-changing emotions and relationships, with a deep fear of abandonment.

Classified under “Personality disorders” (ICD-10-CM F60.3). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Feelings go from 0 to 100
• Impulsive or self-harming behavior
• Unstable sense of self

What helps: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was built for this and works.

Drinking that keeps going despite the damage, with loss of control or craving.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F10). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Drinking more or longer than planned
• Failed attempts to cut back
• Needing more for the same effect; withdrawal

What helps: Medical detox when needed, therapy, peer support, and medications like naltrexone or acamprosate.

Compulsive use of opioids such as pain pills, heroin or fentanyl.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F11). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Using to avoid being sick
• Tolerance climbing
• Overdose risk, especially after a break

What helps: Medication (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) is the standard of care, with counseling.

Problem use of cocaine, methamphetamine or prescription stimulants.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F14 / F15). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Binges and crashes
• Paranoia, no sleep, weight loss
• Deep depression when stopping

What helps: Behavioral treatment, especially contingency management, and support through the crash.

Problem use of benzodiazepines or sleep medications.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F13). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Taking more than prescribed
• Rebound anxiety and insomnia
• Dangerous withdrawal if stopped suddenly

What helps: A slow, medically supervised taper. Never stop abruptly.

Cannabis use that has become hard to control and is costing you.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F12). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Daily use to feel normal
• Irritable and sleepless without it
• Motivation and memory slipping

What helps: Therapy such as CBT and motivational approaches, and support through the first weeks.

Dependence on nicotine in any form, including vapes.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F17). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• First use within minutes of waking
• Cravings and irritability without it
• Many quit attempts

What helps: Nicotine replacement, medication like varenicline, and quitline coaching (1-800-QUIT-NOW).

Gambling that keeps going despite serious losses.

Classified under “Substance-related and addictive disorders” (ICD-10-CM F63.0). A diagnosis is made by a licensed clinician after a full evaluation of symptoms, their duration, how much they interfere with daily life, and whether a substance or medical condition better explains them.

• Chasing losses
• Lying about how much
• Borrowing or stealing to keep playing

What helps: Therapy, Gamblers Anonymous, self-exclusion tools and financial safeguards.