Mental illness
Mental Illness
Mental illness (pronunciation: /ˈmɛntəl ˈɪlnɪs/), also known as mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. The term is derived from the Latin words 'mens', meaning 'mind', and 'morbus', meaning 'disease'.
Definition
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, or behavior (or a combination of these). They are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work, or family activities.
Types of Mental Illness
There are many different types of mental illnesses, including:
- Depression: A common mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and a decreased ability to carry out daily life activities.
- Anxiety disorders: A group of mental health disorders characterized by feelings of anxiety and fear.
- Bipolar disorder: A disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
- Schizophrenia: A serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally.
- Eating disorders: Mental disorders defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical or mental health.
Causes
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 blood relatives also have a mental illness.
- Environmental exposures before birth: Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol, or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.
- Brain chemistry: Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.
Treatment
Treatment for mental illnesses usually consists of therapy, medication, self-care, or a combination of these. The exact treatment plan will depend on the type of mental illness, its severity, and what works best for the individual.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mental illness
- Wikipedia's article - Mental illness
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