Mental Health Awareness for the Mentally Rarest: 5 of the Most Unique Mental Health Conditions

TLDR: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are five mental health conditions you probably haven’t heard of.

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! This only applies to people reading in May, but even if you are reading this in June or July, the present is always a good time to be aware of mental health. If you are reading this, you are probably aware of the importance of mental health, as well as some of the more common conditions such as anxiety and depression. That does not mean you are aware of all conditions, however. Here are five mental health conditions that even a psychologist had to look up.

1. Alien Hand Syndrome.

In the movie Dr. Strangelove, the titular character didn’t have control of his own hand, being unable to prevent it from performing actions such as Nazi salutes or even self-strangulation. It may have been played for comedic effect, but some people truly cannot control their hands from performing actions. People suffering from alien hand syndrome perform complex physical actions (like unbuttoning a shirt) without conscious control. They often report feeling like they do not have control over their own hand, even though they recognize it as theirs. Aliens may not be to blame for this disorder, but it can certainly feel like it for those suffering.

2. Body Integrity Identity Disorder.

While many amputees live meaningful and fulfilling lives, most people who have lost a limb would not recommend going through the often traumatic experience. A small percentage of the population, however, has the desire to amputate otherwise healthy and functioning body parts. Researchers have found that people who suffer from Body Integrity Identity Disorder are unable to recognize certain parts of their body as their own. In some cases, individuals with this disorder will attempt to disable themselves so that their perceptions match reality.

3. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome.

Out of all the magical Disney worlds, Wonderland is certainly one of the most unique. With its ability to distort time, size, and reality, spending more than a movie’s length there might be a bit much for some people. For others, it is their reality. Also known as Todd’s Syndrome, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome creates disturbances in perception, causing people to believe that they or their body parts are bigger or smaller than they actually are. Time and auditory sensations may also be distorted. Personally, I’d much rather live in Neverland—thank you very much.

4. Clinical Lycanthropy.

At some point, someone has probably asked you what animal you would be or would like to turn into. It’s such a common trope in media that transformation into an animal is a major plot point in movies like Turning Red, The Emperor’s New Groove, and the extremely underrated Brother Bear. Although these are fantasy films, some people genuinely believe they are, or have become, an animal. Lycanthropy is a Greek term referring to transforming into a werewolf, but clinical lycanthropy can involve the belief of turning into any animal—dogs, cats, or even unicorns. This disorder is not the fun romp movies make it out to be, but rather a serious psychiatric condition often associated with psychotic symptoms.

5. Capgras Syndrome.

In the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers, aliens come to Earth and begin impersonating humans. They look like the people you know and love, but something feels… off. While this is science fiction, people with Capgras syndrome experience something similar, believing that impostors have replaced loved ones. Although this condition is the result of neurological dysfunction—not alien invasions—it can be deeply distressing for those experiencing it.

While it is unlikely that you have any of the disorders mentioned here, you may still need help with other mental health concerns. Schedule your 15-minute consultation to see if TIPS is the right fit for you.