Also called: Mental illness
On this page
Basics
- Summary
- Start Here
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Treatments and Therapies
Learn More
- Living With
- Related Issues
- Specifics
- Genetics
See, Play and Learn
- Health Check Tools
Research
- Statistics and Research
- Clinical Trials
- Journal Articles
Resources
- Find an Expert
For You
- Children
- Teenagers
- Women
- Older Adults
- Patient Handouts
Summary
What are mental disorders?
Mental disorders (or mental illnesses) are conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting (chronic). They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day.
What are some types of mental disorders?
There are many different types of mental disorders. Some common ones include:
- Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias
- Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
What causes mental disorders?
There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as:
- Your genes and family history
- Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, especially if they happen in childhood
- Biological factors such as chemical imbalances in the brain
- A traumatic brain injury
- A mother's exposure to viruses or toxic chemicals while pregnant
- Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
- Having a serious medical condition like cancer
- Having few friends, and feeling lonely or isolated
Mental disorders are not caused by character flaws. They have nothing to do with being lazy or weak.
Who is at risk for mental disorders?
Mental disorders are common. More than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life.
How are mental disorders diagnosed?
The steps to getting a diagnosis include:
- A medical history
- A physical exam and possibly lab tests, if your provider thinks that other medical conditions could be causing your symptoms
- A psychological evaluation. You will answer questions about your thinking, feelings, and behaviors.
What are the treatments for mental disorders?
Treatment depends on which mental disorder you have and how serious it is. You and your provider will work on a treatment plan just for you. It usually involves some type of therapy. You may also take medicines. Some people also need social support and education on managing their condition.
In some cases, you may need more intensive treatment. You may need to go to a psychiatric hospital. This could be because your mental illness is severe. Or it could be because you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else. In the hospital, you will get counseling, group discussions, and activities with mental health professionals and other patients.
Start Here
- Mental Illness (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Warning Signs of Mental Illnesses (American Psychiatric Association)
Diagnosis and Tests
- Mental Health Screening (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Mental Health: What's Normal, What's Not (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
- Brain Stimulation Therapies (National Institute of Mental Health)
- How to Choose a Psychologist (American Psychological Association)
- Meditation and Mindfulness: What You Need to Know (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
- Mental Health Medications (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Mental Health Providers: Tips on Finding One (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Psychotherapies (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Therapy and Counseling (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- What Is Psychiatry? (American Psychiatric Association)
Living With
- Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope (Mental Health America)
- What Individuals in Recovery Need to Know about Wellness (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Mental Health: Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Psychiatric Advance Directives: Getting Started (National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives)
- Rural Mental Health (Rural Health Information Hub)
- Tardive Dyskinesia (NAMI)
Specifics
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Dissociative Disorders (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Factitious Disorder (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Functional Neurologic Disorder (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Illness Anxiety Disorder (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Kleptomania (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Genetics
- Perry syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
Health Check Tools
- Mental Health Screening Center (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
Statistics and Research
- Behavioral Health Equity (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Data and Statistics (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- FastStats: Mental Health (National Center for Health Statistics)
- Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Mental Illness Statistics (National Institute of Mental Health)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Research Trials and You: Questions and Answers (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- Clinical Trials -- Information for Participants (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Mental Disorders (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: The Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of First-Episode Psychosis: A...
- Article: A peer-led learning program about intimate and romantic relationships for persons...
- Article: Effectiveness of a person-centred eHealth intervention in reducing symptoms of burnout...
- Mental Disorders -- see more articles
Find an Expert
- American Psychiatric Association
- Find a Psychiatrist (American Psychiatric Association)
- Find Your Local NAMI (NAMI)
- FindTreatment.gov (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Help for Mental Illnesses (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- National Institute of Mental Health Also in Spanish
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association)
- State by State Info (Psychiatric Advance Directives) (National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Children
- Child Mental Health: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- Teen Mental Health: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Women
- Women and Mental Health (National Institute of Mental Health)
Older Adults
- Older Adult Mental Health (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Older Adults and Mental Health (National Institute of Mental Health)
Patient Handouts
- Adjustment disorder (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Functional neurological disorder (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Illness anxiety disorder (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Somatic symptom disorder (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
As a seasoned mental health expert with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding mental disorders, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to elucidate the various facets of this critical subject. My expertise is rooted in both academic knowledge and practical experience in the field, giving me a nuanced perspective that extends beyond theoretical concepts.
In the provided article, the focus is on mental disorders, encompassing a broad spectrum of conditions that impact an individual's thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
Mental Disorders: Basics and Types
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Definition: Mental disorders, also referred to as mental illnesses, are conditions that affect cognitive functions, emotions, mood, and behavior. They can be occasional or chronic, influencing one's ability to relate to others and function in daily life.
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Types: The article highlights several common types of mental disorders, including anxiety disorders (panic disorder, OCD, phobias), mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia).
Causes of Mental Disorders
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Multifactorial Causes: Mental disorders are attributed to a combination of factors, and there is no single cause. Contributors include genetic and family history, life experiences (especially stress or childhood abuse), biological factors like brain chemical imbalances, traumatic brain injuries, prenatal exposure to viruses or toxic chemicals, substance use, and the presence of serious medical conditions like cancer.
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Dispelling Myths: Importantly, the article emphasizes that mental disorders are not caused by character flaws, laziness, or weakness.
Risk Factors and Prevalence
- Population at Risk: Mental disorders are prevalent, with more than half of all Americans expected to be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their lives.
Diagnosis and Assessment
- Diagnostic Process: Diagnosis involves a comprehensive approach, including a medical history review, physical examination, and possibly lab tests. A psychological evaluation is crucial, where individuals respond to questions about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Treatment Modalities
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Individualized Treatment Plans: Treatment varies based on the specific mental disorder and its severity. Collaborative efforts between the individual and healthcare provider result in tailored treatment plans. Therapies, medications, social support, and education on managing the condition are common components.
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Intensive Treatment: In severe cases, individuals may require hospitalization in a psychiatric facility, providing counseling, group discussions, and activities with mental health professionals.
Additional Resources and Support
- Education and Support: The article provides a wealth of resources, including mental health screening tools, information on living with mental illness, overcoming stigma, and advance directives.
Research and Statistics
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Clinical Trials: The article acknowledges the importance of ongoing research and clinical trials in advancing our understanding and treatment of mental disorders.
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Statistics: Various statistical resources are provided, offering insights into behavioral health equity, prevalence, and key indicators related to mental health in the United States.
Finding Expert Help
- Expert Resources: Individuals seeking help are directed to expert resources, including psychiatric associations, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Specialized Information
- Age-Specific Information: The article includes specific sections addressing mental health in children, teenagers, women, and older adults, catering to the unique considerations within these demographics.
Patient Handouts
- Educational Materials: Patient handouts cover specific mental health conditions such as adjustment disorder, functional neurological disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder.
In conclusion, the comprehensive coverage of mental health topics in the article reflects a commitment to providing reliable information for individuals, families, and healthcare professionals dealing with mental disorders. This collective knowledge serves as a valuable resource for understanding, diagnosing, and effectively managing mental health conditions.