Mental Illness

“Examples of mental illness include depression,
anxiety disorders, schizophrenia,
eating disorders and addictive behaviors”.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”.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
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD]
  • 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: Why Is Women’s Mental Health Important? the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) elaborate on:

“Some mental disorders are more common in women than men, including depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.

There are also disorders unique to women. For example, some women experience symptoms of depression at times of hormone change, such as:

  • During or after pregnancy (perinatal depression)
  • Around the time of their period (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
  • During the menopause transition (perimenopausal 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 sex differences in the rates at which they are diagnosed. But certain symptoms may be more common in women, and the course of illness can be affected by a person’s sex. Researchers are beginning to tease apart the various biological and psychosocial factors that may impact mental health”.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 20 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 About Mental Health Problems:

“Mental health problems are very common. In a single week, at least one in six of us has problems with our mental health, according to the government’s major study of adults in England”.11

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

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 A-Z 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

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  20. Get Help [United Kingdom]
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  36. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Supporting Someone Through the Menopause [+ Video: Men Don’t Need To Know About Menopause] [Other Languages and Formats]
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  63. Mentalhealth.org.uk [Mental Health Foundation, United Kingdom]
  64. Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk [Mental Health At Work, United Kingdom]: Your First Stop for Better Mental Health At Work
  65. Mhanational.org [Mental Health America]
  66. Mhaustralia [Mental Health Australia]
  67. Mind.org.uk [Mind, United Kingdom]
  68. Mood and the Menopause
  69. Nami.org [National Alliance on Mental Illness, United States]
  70. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted:

Sources

  1. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 13 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Accessed: 18 May 2025
  2. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 18 May 2025
  3. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 18 May 2025
  4. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 13 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Accessed: 18 May 2025
  5. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 18 May 2025
  6. Women and Mental Health: Why Is Women’s Mental Health Important? Last Reviewed: April 2024. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health/index.shtml Accessed: 18 May 2025
  7. Women and Mental Health: Why Is Women’s Mental Health Important? Last Reviewed: April 2024. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health/index.shtml Accessed: 18 May 2025
  8. Mental Illness: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 13 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968 Accessed: 18 May 2025
  9. Mental Health Conditions. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions Accessed: 18 May 2025
  10. Individuals With Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness Accessed: 18 May 2025
  11. About Mental Health Problems. Mental Health Foundation https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/about-mental-health-problems Accessed: 18 May 2025
  12. Mental Illness: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment. 13 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374974 Accessed: 18 May 2025
  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: 18 May 2025
Topic Last Updated: 18 May 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 18 May 2025

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