Mental Illness

“Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior”.1

Umbrella
What may the Mental Illness Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Mental Disorders
  • Mental Health Conditions/Disorders/Problems
  • Mental Ill Health
  • Mental Illness/Illnesses

Definition

What is mental illness?

DotS the definition of mental illness may vary. The (United States) National Alliance on Mental Illness’ (NAMI) definition is:

“A mental illness is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, behavior or mood. These conditions deeply impact day-to-day living and may also affect the ability to relate to others”.2

In Mental Health Conditions the NAMI also explain:

“NAMI recognizes that other organizations have drawn distinctions between what diagnoses are considered “mental health conditions” as opposed to “mental illnesses.” We intentionally use the terms “mental health conditions” and “mental illness/es” interchangeably”.3

Types

What are different types of mental illness?

DotS these may vary. The (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors”.4

In Mental Health Conditions the NAMI include:

  • “Anxiety Disorders
  • ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Depression
  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
  • Psychosis
  • Schizoaffective Disorder
  • Schizophrenia”.5

Women

Can mental illness affect women and men differently?

Yes. In Women and Mental Health: Overview the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) elaborate on:

Mental Illness

“Mental disorders can affect women and men differently. Some disorders are more common in women such as depression and anxiety. There are also certain types of disorders that are unique to women. For example, some women may experience symptoms of mental disorders at times of hormone change, such as perinatal depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopause-related depression”.6

In Women and Mental Health: Overview the NIMH also note:

“When it comes to other mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, research has not found differences in the rates at which men and women experience these illnesses. But women may experience these illnesses differently – certain symptoms may be more common in women than in men, and the course of the illness can be affected by the sex of the individual. Researchers are only now beginning to tease apart the various biological and psychosocial factors that may impact the mental health of both women and men”.7

Signs and Symptoms

Can signs and symptoms of mental illness vary?

In Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.

Examples of signs and symptoms include:

  • Feeling sad or down
  • Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
  • Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
  • Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
  • Withdrawal from friends and activities
  • Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
  • Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
  • Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
  • Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
  • Problems with alcohol or drug abuse
  • Major changes in eating habits
  • Sex drive changes
  • Excessive anger, hostility or violence
  • Suicidal thinking

Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains”.8

Cause

What may cause mental illness?

In Mental Health Conditions the NAMI explain:

“A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests multiple, linking causes. Genetics, environment and lifestyle influence whether someone develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events. Biochemical processes and circuits and basic brain structure may play a role, too”.9

Common or Not

How common is mental illness?

In the United States according to the NAMI in Individuals With Mental Illness:

“If you have a mental health condition, you’re not alone. One in 5 American adults experiences some form of mental illness in any given year. And across the population, 1 in every 25 adults is living with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or long-term recurring major depression”.10

In the United Kingdom according to the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) in What Are Mental Health Problems? Mental Health Problems Are Very Common:

“As found by the APMS (2014), 1 in 6 people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem.

Anxiety and depression are the most common problems, with around 1 in 10 people affected at any one time”.11

What is APMS?

APMS can be an abbreviation for Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey.

Treatment

How may mental illness treated?

The Mayo Clinic explain:

“Your treatment depends on the type of mental illness you have, its severity and what works best for you. In many cases, a combination of treatments works best.

If you have a mild mental illness with well-controlled symptoms, treatment from your primary care provider may be sufficient. However, often a team approach is appropriate to make sure all your psychiatric, medical and social needs are met. This is especially important for severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia”.12

Online Treatment Programs

Are there online treatment programs?

DotC (Depending on the Country) there may be. Your health care provider or local community health center may know of your country’s recommended online treatment programs.

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have a mental illness?

If you think you have a mental illness, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Finding A Mental Health Professional the NIMH elaborate on:

“The most important step in treating a mental health condition sometimes feels like a challenging one: finding a mental health professional. A trustworthy and knowledgeable mental health professional will be a valuable ally. It may take a little time and persistence to locate this ally or assemble a team of allies. Following the plan below can increase the chance of finding someone whom you feel comfortable working with.

  • Step 1: Think About Whom You’re Looking For…
  • Step 2: Gather Referrals…
  • Step 3: Make the Call…
  • Step 4: Ask Questions…
  • Step 5: Build A Relationship…”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Mental Illness?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Mental Illness?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. A To Z
  2. Alcohol and Mental Health
  3. Alcohol and Mental Health
  4. Anxiety
  5. Anxiety: What You Need To Know
  6. Beyondblue.org.au
  7. Co-Occurring Disorders
  8. Common With Mental Illness
  9. Complementary & Alternative Medicine for Mental Health Conditions
  10. Creating Healthy Routines
  11. Depression In Women: 5 Things You Should Know Depression In Women
  12. Diet and Mental Health
  13. Eliminating Toxic Influences
  14. Find Help: Finding Help Is the Key To Taking Charge and Moving Forward
  15. Find Support Groups
  16. Finding A Mental Health Professional
  17. Finding Help
  18. Finding Mental Health Care That Fits Your Cultural Background
  19. For People With Mental Health Problems
  20. Frequently Asked Questions
  21. Get Help Now [Australia]
  22. Get Help Now [United States]
  23. Get Immediate Help [United States]
  24. Getting Help [United Kingdom]
  25. Headstogether.org.uk [Heads Together, United Kingdom]
  26. Headtohealth.gov.au: Head To Head [Australia]
  27. Help for Fears and Phobias
  28. Help for Mental Illnesses [United States]
  29. How To Get Mental Health Help [United States]
  30. How To Look After Your Mental Health
  31. How To Overcome Fear and Anxiety
  32. If You or Someone You Know Is In Crisis and Needs Immediate Help
  33. Individuals With Mental Illnesses
  34. Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Intersex (LGBTI), and Bodily, Gender and Sexuality Diverse People
  35. Live Your Life Well: The 10 Tools
  36. Looking After Your Mental Health
  37. May Is Mental Health Month 2020
  38. Mental Disorders
  39. Mental Health
  40. Mental Health
  41. Mental Health Conditions
  42. Mental Health Information
  43. Mental Health Information
  44. Mental Health Information
  45. Mental Health Medications
  46. Mental Health Providers: Tips on Finding One
  47. Mental Health [Help, Australia]
  48. Mental Health and Relationships
  49. Mental Health: A State of Well-Being
  50. Mental Health: What’s Normal, What’s Not
  51. Mental Illness and the Family: Finding the Right Mental Health Care for You
  52. Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How To Cope
  53. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes
  54. Mentalhealth.gov [United States]
  55. Mentalhealth.org.uk [Mental Health Foundation, United Kingdom ]
  56. Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk [Mental Health At Work, United Kingdom]: Your First Stop for Better Mental Health At Work
  57. Mhanational.org [Mental Health America]
  58. Mhima.org.au [Mental Health In Multicultural Australia]
  59. Mind.org.uk [Mind, United Kingdom]
  60. Mindfulness
  61. Multicultural People
  62. Nami.org [National Alliance on Mental Illness, United States]
  63. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 5 Tips: What You Should Know About the Science Behind Depression and Complementary Health Approaches
  64. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 7 Things To Know About Complementary Health Approaches for Anxiety
  65. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Anxiety At A Glance
  66. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
  68. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Mental Health
  69. National Institute of Mental Health [United States]
  70. Our Stories
  71. Owning Your Feelings Owning Your Feelings
  72. Physical Activity & Exercise: Tools To Help – Weekly Activity Diary
  73. Physical Activity and Your Mental Health
  74. Physical Activity, Sport and Mental Health
  75. Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
  76. Recovery & Support
  77. Recovery Is Possible
  78. Resilience Training
  79. Rethink.org [Rethink Mental Illness]
  80. Samaritans.org
  81. Samhsa.gov [SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]
  82. Sane.org: People Like Us – Real-Life Stories From People Affected By Complex Mental Illnesses
  83. Sane.org: Sane Australia [Videos]
  84. Stories
  85. Telehealth: Health Care From the Safety of Our Homes
  86. Timetochange.org [Time To Change]
  87. Timetochange.org: Time To Talk Day 2020, Thursday 6 February [+ Video]
  88. Types of Talking Therapies
  89. Types of Talking Therapies: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  90. Types of Therapist: How To Find & Choose A Therapist – What Is the Difference Between A Psychologist, Psychiatrist & Counsellor?
  91. Video Series-2019 – Mood Changes During Perimenopause
  92. Video Series-2019 – What You Need To Know About Mood During the Menopause Transition
  93. Warning Signs and Symptoms
  94. Warning Signs of Mental Illness
  95. What Are Mental Health Problems?
  96. What Is Mental Health?
  97. Who Can Assist
  98. Women and Mental Health
  99. Women and Mental Health
  100. Workplace Wellness

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted:

Sources

  1. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 08 June 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Accessed: 23 August 2020
  2. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 23 August 2020
  3. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 23 August 2020
  4. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 08 June 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Accessed: 23 August 2020
  5. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 23 August 2020
  6. Women and Mental Health: Overview. Last Revised: May 2019. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health/index.shtml Accessed: 23 August 2020
  7. Women and Mental Health: Overview. Last Revised: May 2019. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health/index.shtml Accessed: 23 August 2020
  8. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 08 June 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Accessed: 23 August 2020
  9. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 23 August 2020
  10. Individuals With Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness Accessed: 23 August 2020
  11. What Are Mental Health Problems? Mental Health Problems Are Very Common. Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health/about-mental-health/what-are-mental-health-problems Accessed: 23 August 2020
  12. Mental Illness: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 06 June 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374974 Accessed: 23 August 2020
  13. Finding A Mental Health Professional. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Finding-a-Mental-Health-Professional Accessed: 23 August 2020

Topic Last Updated: 23 August 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 23 August 2020
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