Mental illnesses can be difficult to identify and diagnose, and many remain unknown or misunderstood. As such, it can be hard to pinpoint which is the most unknown mental illness. However, some illnesses that may be relatively unknown to many include:
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II disorder is a type of mood disorder that is characterized by episodes of low mood (depression) and high mood (mania). People with bipolar II disorder experience more episodes of depression than mania, and they may have difficulty functioning in daily life if left untreated.
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder, such as depression or bipolar disorder. People with schizoaffective disorder may experience hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, as well as episodes of depression and/or mania.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health disorder in which a person experiences two or more distinct personalities or identities. People with DID may also experience gaps in their memory that they cannot explain.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder characterized by an excessive preoccupation with a perceived defect in one's physical appearance. People with BDD may experience intense anxiety about their appearance, engage in excessive grooming behaviors, or even seek out plastic surgery.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder characterized by unstable moods, behavior, and relationships. People with BPD often have difficulty regulating their emotions, and they may have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships.
It is difficult to definitively identify the most unknown mental illness, as many mental illnesses remain misunderstood and under-recognized. However, the illnesses listed above may be less commonly known and are worth learning more about.