Mental

illness
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.
Many people have mental health concerns
from time to time. But a mental health
concern becomes a mental illness when
ongoing signs and symptoms cause
frequent stress and affect your ability to
function.
A mental illness can make you miserable
and can cause problems in your daily life,
such as at work or in relationships. In most
cases, symptoms can be managed with a
combination of medications and
counseling (psychotherapy).

Symtoms

Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary,

depending on the particular 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
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, headache, or other
unexplained aches and pains.

When
to
see
a
doctor

If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental

illness, see your primary care provider or mental
health specialist. Most mental illnesses don't
improve on their own, and if untreated, a mental
illness may get worse over time and cause
serious problems.

If
you
have
suicidal thoughts

Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common with

some mental illnesses. If you think you may hurt
yourself or attempt suicide, get help right away:
Call 911 or your local emergency number
immediately.
Call a suicide hotline number in the
United States, call the National Suicide

Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800273-8255) to reach a trained counselor. Use

that same number and press 1 to reach the
Veterans Crisis Line.
Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or
someone in your faith community.
Contact your doctor, other health care
provider or mental health specialist.
Suicidal thinking doesn't get better on its own
so get help.

Helping
a
loved
one

If your loved one shows signs of mental illness,

have an open and honest discussion with him or
her about your concerns. You may not be able to
force someone to get professional care, but you
can offer encouragement and support. You can
also help your loved one find a qualified mental
health provider and make an appointment. You
may even be able to go along to the
appointment.
If your loved one has done self-harm or is
seriously considering doing so, take the person
to the hospital or call for emergency help.

Cause

Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be

caused by a variety of genetic and
environmental factors:
Inherited traits. Mental illness is more
common in people whose biological (blood)
relatives also have a mental illness. Certain
genes may increase your risk of developing
a mental illness, and your life situation may

trigger it.
Environmental exposures before
birth. Exposure to viruses, toxins, alcohol or
drugs while in the womb can sometimes be
linked to mental illness.
Brain chemistry. Biochemical changes in
the brain are thought to affect mood and
other aspects of mental health. Naturally
occurring brain chemicals called
neurotransmitters play a role in some mental
illnesses. In some cases, hormonal
imbalances affect mental health.

Risk factor

Certain factors may increase your risk of

developing mental health problems, including:
Having a biological (blood) relative, such as
a parent or sibling, with a mental illness
Experiences in the womb for example,
having a mother who was exposed to
viruses, toxins, drugs or alcohol during
pregnancy
Stressful life situations, such as financial
problems, a loved one's death or a divorce
A chronic medical condition, such as cancer
Brain damage as a result of a serious injury
(traumatic brain injury), such as a violent
blow to the head
Traumatic experiences, such as military
combat or being assaulted
Use of illegal drugs
Being abused or neglected as a child
Having few friends or few healthy
relationships
A previous mental illness

Mental illness is common. About 1 in 4 adults

has a mental illness in any given year. About half
of U.S. adults will develop a mental illness
sometime in their lives. Mental illness can begin
at any age, from childhood through later adult
years.

Complication

Mental illness is a leading cause of disability.

Untreated mental illness can cause severe
emotional, behavioral and physical health
problems. Mental illness can also cause legal
and financial problems. Complications
sometimes linked to mental illness include:
Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of
life
Weakened immune system, so your body
has a hard time resisting infections
Family conflicts
Relationship difficulties
Social isolation
Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other
drugs
Missed work or school, or other problems
related to work or school
Poverty and homelessness
Self-harm and harm to others, including
suicide or homicide
Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
Heart disease and other medical conditions

Preparing
for
your
Appointment

Whether you schedule an appointment with your

primary health care provider to talk about mental

health concerns or you're referred to a mental
health provider, such as a psychiatrist or
psychologist, take steps to prepare for your
appointment.

What you can do

Before your appointment, make a list of:

Any symptoms you or people close to

you have noticed,and for how long.
Key personal information, including
traumatic events in your past and any
current, major stressors.
Your medical information, including other
physical or mental health conditions.
Any medications, vitamins, herbal products
or other supplements you take, and their
dosages.
If possible, take a family member or friend along.
Someone who has known you for a long time
may be able to share important information with
your provider, with your permission.
Make a list of questions to ask, such as:
What type of mental illness might I have?
Why can't I get over mental illness on my
own?
How do you treat my type of mental illness?
Will talk therapy help?
Are there medications that might help?
How long will treatment take?
What can I do to help myself?
Do you have any brochures or other printed
material that I can have?

 What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask questions anytime you
don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
During your appointment, your doctor or mental
health provider is likely to ask you several
questions about your mood, thoughts and
behavior, such as:
When did you first notice symptoms?
How is your daily life affected by your
symptoms?
What treatment, if any, have you had for
mental illness?
What have you tried on your own to feel
better or control your symptoms?
What things make you feel worse?
Have family members or friends commented
on your mood or behavior?
Do you have blood relatives with a mental
illness?
What do you hope to gain from treatment?
What medications or over-the-counter herbs
and supplements do you take?
Do you drink alcohol or use illegal drugs?
Test and Diagnosis
To determine a diagnosis and check for any
related complications, you may have:
A physical exam. Your doctor will try to rule
out physical problems that could cause your
symptoms.
Lab tests. These may include a check of
your thyroid function or a screening for

alcohol and drugs, for example.

A psychological evaluation. A doctor or
mental health provider talks to you about
your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and
behavior patterns. You may be asked to fill
out a questionnaire to help answer these
questions.
Determining which mental illness you have
Sometimes it's difficult to find out which mental
illness may be causing your symptoms. But
taking the time and effort to get an accurate
diagnosis will help determine the appropriate
treatment.
The defining symptoms for each mental illness
are detailed in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published
by the American Psychiatric Association. This
manual is used by mental health providers to
diagnose mental conditions and by insurance
companies to reimburse for treatment.
Classes of mental illness
The main classes of mental illness are:
Neurodevelopmental disorders. This class
covers a wide range of problems that usually
begin in infancy, childhood or the teenage
years. Examples include autism spectrum
disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders.
Schizophrenia spectrum and other
psychotic disorders.Psychotic disorders
cause detachment from reality (delusions,
paranoia and hallucinations). The most
notable example is schizophrenia, although
other classes of disorders can be associated
with detachment from reality at times.

 Bipolar and related disorders. This class

includes disorders with alternating episodes
of mania periods of excessive activity,
energy and excitement and depression.
Depressive disorders. These include
disorders that affect how you feel
emotionally, such as the level of sadness
and happiness. Examples include major
depressive disorder and premenstrual
dysphoric disorder.
Anxiety disorders. Anxiety is an emotion
characterized by the anticipation of future
danger or misfortune, accompanied by
feeling ill at ease. This class includes
generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder
and phobias.
Obsessive-compulsive and related
disorders. These disorders involve
preoccupations or obsessions and repetitive
thoughts and actions. Examples include
obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding
and hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania).
Trauma- and stressor-related
disorders. These are adjustment disorders
in which a person has trouble coping during
or after a stressful life event. Examples
include post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and acute stress disorder.
Dissociative disorders. These are
disorders in which your sense of self is
disrupted, such as with dissociative identity
disorder and dissociative amnesia.
Somatic symptom and related
disorders. A person with one of these
disorders may have physical symptoms with
no clear medical cause, but the disorders
are associated with significant distress and

impairment. The disorders include somatic

symptom disorder (previously known as
hypochondriasis) and factitious disorder.
Feeding and eating disorders. These
disorders include disturbances related to
eating, such as anorexia nervosa and bingeeating disorder.
Elimination disorders. These disorders
relate to the inappropriate elimination of
urine or stool by accident or on purpose.
Bedwetting (enuresis) is an example.
Sleep-wake disorders. These are disorders
of sleep severe enough to require clinical
attention, such as insomnia, sleep apnea
and restless legs syndrome.
Sexual dysfunctions. These include
disorders of sexual response, such as
premature ejaculation and female orgasmic
disorder.
Gender dysphoria. This refers to the
distress that accompanies a person's stated
desire to be another gender.
Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct
disorders. These disorders include
problems with emotional and behavioral selfcontrol, such as kleptomania or intermittent
explosive disorder.
Substance-related and addictive
disorders. These include problems
associated with the use of alcohol, caffeine,
tobacco and drugs. This class also includes
gambling disorder.
Neurocognitive disorders. Neurocognitive
disorders affect your ability to think and
reason. This class includes delirium, as well
as neurocognitive disorders due to

conditions or diseases such as traumatic

brain injury or Alzheimer's disease.
Personality disorders. A personality
disorder involves a lasting pattern of
emotional instability and unhealthy behavior
that causes problems in your life and
relationships. Examples include borderline
personality disorder and antisocial
personality disorder.
Paraphilic disorders. These disorders
include sexual interest that causes personal
distress or impairment or causes potential or
actual harm to another person. Examples
are sexual sadism, voyeuristic disorder and
pedophilic disorder.
Other mental disorders. This class
includes mental disorders that are due to
other medical conditions or that don't meet
the full criteria for one of the above
disorders.

Treatments
and
drugs
By Mayo Clinic Staff

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 wellcontrolled symptoms, treatment from one
health 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.
Your treatment team

Your treatment team may include your

Family or primary care doctor
Nurse practitioner
Physician assistant
Psychiatrist, a medical doctor who
diagnoses and treats mental illnesses
Psychotherapist, such as a psychologist or a
licensed counselor
Pharmacist
Social worker
Family members
Medications
Although psychiatric medications don't cure
mental illness, they can often significantly
improve symptoms. Psychiatric medications
can also help make other treatments, such
as psychotherapy, more effective. The best
medications for you will depend on your
particular situation and how your body
responds to the medication.
Some of the most commonly used classes
of prescription psychiatric medications
include:
Antidepressants. Antidepressants are used
to treat depression, anxiety and sometimes
other conditions. They can help improve
symptoms such as sadness, anxiety,
hopelessness, lack of energy, difficulty
concentrating and lack of interest in
activities. Antidepressants are not addictive
and do not cause dependency.
Anti-anxiety medications. Anti-anxiety
medications are used to treat anxiety
disorders, such as generalized anxiety
disorder and panic disorder. They may also

help reduce agitation and insomnia. Longterm anxiety medications consist mostly of
antidepressants that also work for anxiety.
There also are fast-acting anti-anxiety
medications, which help with short-term
relief but they have the potential to cause
dependency and ideally would be used short
term.
Mood-stabilizing medications. Mood
stabilizers are most commonly used to treat
bipolar disorder, which involves alternating
episodes of mania and depression.
Sometimes mood stabilizers are used with
antidepressants to treat depression.
Antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotic
medications, also called neuroleptics, are
typically used to treat psychotic disorders
such as schizophrenia. Antipsychotic
medications may also be used to treat
bipolar disorders or used with
antidepressants to treat depression.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy,

involves talking about your condition and

related issues with a mental health provider.
During psychotherapy, you learn about your
condition and your moods, feelings, thoughts
and behavior. With the insights and
knowledge you gain, you can learn coping
and stress management skills.
There are many types of psychotherapy,
each with its own approach to improving
your mental well-being. Psychotherapy often
can be successfully completed in a few
months, but in some cases, long-term
treatment may be needed. It can take place
one-on-one, in a group or with family

members.
Brain-stimulation treatments
Brain-stimulation treatments are sometimes
used for depression and other mental health
disorders. They're generally reserved for
situations in which medications and
psychotherapy haven't worked. They include
electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial
magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve
stimulation and an experimental treatment
called deep brain stimulation.
Make sure you understand all the risks and
benefits of any recommended treatment.
Hospital and residential treatment programs
Sometimes mental illness becomes so
severe that you need care in a psychiatric
hospital. This is generally recommended
when you can't care for yourself properly or
when you're in immediate danger of harming
yourself or someone else.
Options include 24-hour inpatient care,
partial or day hospitalization, or residential
treatment, which offers a temporary
supportive place to live. Another option may
be intensive outpatient treatment.

Substance abuse treatment

Substance abuse commonly occurs along

with mental illness. Often it interferes with
treatment and worsens mental illness. If you
can't stop using drugs or alcohol on your
own, you need treatment. Substance abuse
treatments include:
Psychotherapy, to learn more about your

condition and gain insight

Medications, which may help ease
withdrawal symptoms or reduce cravings
Inpatient treatment, such as withdrawal
(detox) treatment
Outpatient treatment programs, which
require regular attendance for a set period of
time
Support groups or 12-step programs, such
as Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)
Participating in your own care

Working together, you and your health care

provider can decide which treatment may be
best, depending on your symptoms and their
severity, personal preferences, medication
side effects, and other factors. In some
cases, a mental illness may be so severe
that a doctor or loved one may need to guide
your care until you're well enough to
participate in decision-making.

Lifestyle
anf
home
remdies
In most cases, a mental illness won't get better if

you try to treat it on your own without

professional care. But you can do some things
for yourself that will build on your treatment plan:
Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip therapy
sessions. Even if you're feeling better, don't skip
your medications. If you stop, symptoms may
come back. You could also have withdrawal-like
symptoms if you stop a medication too suddenly.
If you have bothersome medication side effects
or other problems with your treatment, talk to

your doctor before making changes.

Avoid alcohol and drug use. Using alcohol or
illegal drugs can make it difficult to treat a mental
illness. If you're addicted, quitting can be a real
challenge. If you can't quit on your own, see your
doctor or find a support group to help you.
Stay active. Exercise can help you manage
symptoms such as depression, stress and
anxiety. Physical activity can also counteract the
effects of some psychiatric medications that may
cause weight gain. Consider walking, swimming,
gardening or any form of physical activity that
you enjoy. Even light physical activity can make
a difference.
Don't make important decisions when your
symptoms are severe. Avoid decision-making
when you're in the depth of mental illness
symptoms, since you may not be thinking clearly.
Determine your priorities. You can reduce the
impact of your mental illness by managing your
time and energy. Cut back on obligations when
necessary and set reasonable goals. Give
yourself permission to do less when your
symptoms are bad. You may find it helpful to
make a list of daily tasks, use sticky notes as
reminders, or use a planner to structure your
time and stay organized.
Learn to adopt a positive attitude. Focusing on
the positive things in your life can make your life
better and may even improve your health. Try to
accept changes when they occur, and keep
problems in perspective.