Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others. Mental illness is caused by heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stressors. Read more: Mental Illness Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment
What is schizophrenia? Learn about schizophrenia symptoms, signs, and treatment. Read about schizophrenia types such as paranoid...
-
Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Testing for Bipolar Depression
Bipolar disorder (once called manic depression) causes extreme mood shifts and can be disorienting. Our experts define bipolar...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Genetic Disease (List, Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Prognosis)
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of...
-
Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder) is a mental...
-
Depression
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one...
-
Suicide
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year,...
-
Symptoms of 12 Serious Diseases and Health Problems
Learn how to recognize early warning signs and symptoms of serious diseases and health problems, for example, chronic cough,...
-
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as...
-
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is a mental illness characterized by depression, mania, and severe mood swings. Treatment...
-
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder that may cause hallucinations and delusions and affect a person's ability to...
-
Teen Depression
Depression in teenagers may be caused by many factors. Symptoms of teen depression include apathy, irresponsible behavior,...
-
Paraphilia
Paraphilias are characterized by sexual fantasies, urges, and behaviors involving unusual objects or activities. Exhibitionism,...
-
Fragile X Syndrome
Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. It's caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. People...
-
Depression in Children
Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include...
-
Gambling Addiction
Compulsive gambling is a disorder that affects millions in the U.S. Symptoms and signs include a preoccupation with gambling,...
-
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by markedly reduced appetite or total aversion to food. Anorexia is a serious...
-
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) has many symptoms, signs, and causes. Therapy is one treatment option for antisocial...
-
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that features schizophrenia and a mood disorder, either major depression or bipolar...
-
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline personality disorder is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal...
-
Munchausen Syndrome
Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder and attention-seeking syndrome in which an individual pretends to have physical or...
-
Childhood ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes the following symptoms in children: excessive activity, problems...
-
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by odd behaviors, feelings, perceptions, and ways of relating to others that...
-
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to suffer repeated obsessions and compulsions....
-
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP)
Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a mental illness (factitious disorder) in which a caregiver secretly abuses a child by...
-
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a less severe form of chronic depression. Symptoms and signs include insomnia, suicidal thoughts, guilt, empty...
-
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is an illness where a person is overly preoccupied with some minor or imaginary flaw. People with...
-
Mental Health
Mental health is an optimal way of thinking, relating to others, and feeling. All of the diagnosable mental disorders fall under...
-
Bulimia
People with bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder that involves episodes of bingeing and purging, experience symptoms and signs...
-
Sleep Paralysis
Sleep paralysis is a condition that causes a person to feel as if he or she is awake but is unable to move. Lack of sleep, sleep...
-
Factitious Disorders
Factitious disorders are conditions in which people pretend to have physical or mental illnesses when they aren't sick. These...
-
Duck Syndrome
Duck syndrome is a situation initially coined at Stanford University whereby a college student may seem to be calm on the surface...
-
Depression in the Elderly
Depression in the elderly is very common. That doesn't mean, though, it's normal. Treatment may involve antidepressants,...
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- Benzodiazepines (Benzodiazepine Drug Class)
- Anxiolytics (for Anxiety) Drug Class Side Effects
- haloperidol (Haldol)
- aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristrada)
- Lexapro vs. Wellbutrin: Differences between Side Effects and Uses
- Medicines that Cause Depression
- clozapine (Clozaril, Fazacio ODT, Versacloz)
- brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
- fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin)
- Vayarin (phosphatidylserine-omega-3 Liprinen)
- paliperidone palmitate (Invega Sustenna)
- iloperidone (Fanapt)
Prevention & Wellness
- 'Let It Go' May Be Good Advice for Health
- Mariah Carey Reveals Battle with Bipolar Disorder
- Here's Another Reason to Not Marry Your Cousin
- VA Health System Failing on Mental Health Care: Report
- Childhood Spanking Could Heighten Adult Mental Health Woes
- Genes May Explain Why Some Don't Respond to Bipolar Drug
- Looking at Laughter for Clues to Anti-Social Behavior
- Health Tip: Do You Need Psychological Therapy?
- Chronic Illness Can Plunge Young Adults Into Despair
- Suicide a Danger for Some Women During Pregnancy: Study
- Google Search for 'Depression' Now Brings Testing
- Can Video Game Playing Cost You Gray Matter?
- Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. Adults Has Mental Illness or Drug Problem
- Do Moms Who Smoke in Pregnancy Raise Their Odds for a Troubled Teen?
- Half of Opioid Prescriptions Go to People With Mental Illness
- Guns Kill or Wound 7,000 U.S. Kids a Year: Report
- Nearly 10 Million U.S. Adults Suffer From Mental Illness
- 'Recovery-Oriented' Talk Therapy May Help Curb Schizophrenia
- Suicide Risk Is High for Psychiatric Patients Long After Discharge From Care
- U.S. Moms-to-Be Often Victims of Assault
- Pot a Factor in More ER Admissions for Colorado Teens After Legalization
- Meditation Can Help Improve Focus in People With Anxiety
- Teen Suicide Thoughts, Self-Harm Cases Double in a Decade
- Genes May Govern Your Risk for PTSD
- Cleaning, Greening Vacant Lots May Help Fight Crime
- Nursing Home Program Offers Alternatives to Antipsychotic Drugs
- Las Vegas Could Be First U.S. City to Install Needle Vending Machines
- Prince Harry's Journey Shows Grief Can Be a Long Road
- Anxious? Distressed? You're Not Alone
- Just 1 in 5 Mentally Ill Women Gets Cervical Cancer Screenings
- 1st Drug for Tardive Dyskinesia Approved
- Self-Harm Can Be a Harbinger of Suicide
- More Than 300 Million People Worldwide Have Depression: WHO
- Can Social Media Sites Leave You Socially Isolated?
- Study Links Psychiatric Disorders to Stroke Risk
- No, Your Cat Isn't a Threat to Your Mental Health
- America in 2017: Pass the Prozac, Please
- Eating Disorders Rampant on the Runway
- Obamacare Covered More People With Mental Illness, Addictions
- Many With Mental Illness Miss Out on HIV Tests
- Plastic Surgeons Often Miss Patients' Mental Disorders
- Most Smokers With Mental Illness Want to Kick the Habit
- Obama Signs Sweeping Health Care Bill Into Law
- For People With Mental Health Woes, Pets Can Be Invaluable
- Demi Lovato Wants to Change the Face of Mental Illness
- U.S. Surgeon General Declares War on Addiction
- Health Tip: Thinking About Psychological Therapy?
- More Than Half of Americans Have Chronic Health Problem: Study
- Psychiatric Drugs May Reduce Ex-Prisoners' Violent Crime Rate
- Can Teens' Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Show Ties to Mental Ills?
- Bullied Teen's Suicide Didn't Spur Copycat Attempts: Study
- Troubled Childhood May Boost Bipolar Risk: Study
- Pediatricians: Kids Need 'Media Use Plan' From Parents
- U.S. Psychiatric Patients Face Long Waits in ERs
- Mixed News on Drug Abuse Among Lesbian, Gay Americans
- Are Some Blood Pressure Meds Linked to Depression, Bipolar Risk?
- Why Parenting May Be More Stressful for Mom
- Prenatal Factors May Raise Child's Risk for OCD
- Study IDs Effective Rx for Burned-Out Doctors
- For Problem Drinkers, Experimental Drug Shows Promise
- Hard Times May Exact a Toll on Brain Health
- 'Entitled' People May Be Pursuing an Unhappy Path
- Study Links Pot Use to Relapse in Psychosis Patients
- Doctors Often Neglect Their Own Mental Health
- Homeless, Mentally Ill Youth Benefit From Housing Program
- Siblings of Schizophrenia Patients at Greater Risk for Same Diagnosis: Study
- Antidepressant Might Prevent Depression Following Brain Injury
- Something to 'Like' About Facebook
- Parents' Psychiatric Issues May Adversely Affect Some Children
- Twitter Broadening Discussions About Death, Grief: Study
- Depression Can Stalk Families Through Generations
- Mental Illness May Make Teens Vulnerable to Drugs, Alcohol
- Scientists Spot 15 Regions of Human DNA Linked to Depression
- Study of Teen Brains Offers Clues to Timing of Mental Illness
- Can Comedy Kill?
- Can Trauma Trigger Violent Crime in Mentally Ill?
- Tighter Opioid Laws in U.S. Haven't Eased Misuse
- The Childhood Incidents That Increase Later Suicide Risk
- Are 'Workaholics' Prone to OCD, Anxiety?
- Mentally Ill Still Gain Illegal Possession of Guns, Study Shows
- Can Frequent Moves in Childhood Spell Trouble Later?
- Lithium Beats Newer Meds for Bipolar Disorder, Study Finds
- Genes May Link Risks for Pot Use, Depression
- Antipsychotics Don't Ease Delirium in Hospitalized Patients
- Could Germ From Cat Poop Trigger Rage Disorder in People?
- PTSD May Stiffen Veterans' Arteries, Boosting Heart Risks
- Pregnancy May Ease PTSD for Some Women, Study Finds
- Many Suicidal People Make Long-Term Recovery, Study Shows
- Scientists Uncover Clues to Origins of Schizophrenia
- Kindergartners With Traumatic Life Experiences Struggle More in School
- Repeated Blasts Linked to Brain Changes in Combat Vets
- Mouse Study May Offer Clues to Mysteries of Schizophrenia
- Brain Wiring Changes Might Help Guard Against Bipolar Disorder
- ADHD Meds May Raise Risk for Psychotic Side Effects in Some Kids: Study
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Play Role in Bipolar Disorder: Study
- Brain Differences May Explain Why Some With Schizophrenia Hallucinate
- Too Few Psychiatric Patients Screened for Diabetes: Study
- Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Hypothermia?
- Online Psychotherapy May Help Some With Emotional Problems
- People With Schizophrenia Face Much Higher Risk of Early Death
- Research Gives Clues to Why Some Benefit More From Drug for Bipolar Disorder
- FDA Clears Long-Lasting Drug for Schizophrenia
- ERs Often 'Safety Net' Care for People With Schizophrenia: CDC
- Vraylar Approved for Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
- Could Psychedelic Drugs Be Good Medicine for Some?
- Mentally Ill Inmates Prone to Violence After Release: Study
- Mixed Findings on Pot's Effect on the Developing Brain
- Can What You Eat Affect Your Mental Health?
- Scientists May Have Found 'Marker' for Schizophrenia
- Could Too Many Refined Carbs Make You Depressed?
- Social Life May Be Key to Suicide Prevention for Women
- Psychiatric Woes Often Drive Euthanasia Requests in Belgium
- Mental Illness Afflicts Many Juveniles in Jail
- Rexulti Approved for Schizophrenia, Depression
- Psychosis Rarely Linked to Violent Crime, Study Says
- Many U.S. Men With Depression, Anxiety Don't Get Treated, CDC Finds
- 'Gut Feelings': More Than Heartburn, Indigestion?
- Chantix Study Finds Little Evidence to Support Suicidal, Criminal Warnings
- Women, Poor, Uninsured Face Higher Risk of Psychological Distress: CDC
- Hallucinations, Delusions Uncommon in General Population: Study
- Demi Lovato Gets Vocal About Mental Illness
- The Plight of America's 'Elder Orphans'
- Immune System Genes May Change With the Seasons: Study
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder May Be Linked to Accelerated Aging
- First Generic Abilify Approved
- Health Visits May Offer Chance to Prevent Suicide
- 1 in 10 Americans Has Anger Issues and Access to Guns: Survey
- Education Doesn't Guarantee Happiness
- Some Emotions May Spur Urge to Pick or Pull at Skin, Hair, Nails
- Study Highlights Complexity of 'Hearing Voices'
- Mental Illness, Homelessness Linked to Heart Disease in Study
- Asian-Americans Tackle Mental Health Stigma
- 'Killing Fields' Survivors Struggle With PTSD
- Mental Health Disorders May Shorten Life Span: Study
- Stigma Keeps Employees From Admitting to a Mental Illness: Study
- Non-Drug Options Can Help Curb Delirium in Hospital Patients, Study Finds
- Abnormalities Found in Brains of Young Bipolar Patients Who Try Suicide
- Breast Cancer Screening Less Likely Among Mentally Ill: Study
- 1 in 5 U.S. Adults Dealt With a Mental Illness in 2013
- Soldiers Hospitalized for Mental Illness Face Raised Suicide Risk, Study Shows
- Health Tip: Anxiety Can Affect Your Health
- Just Try Getting an Appointment With a Psychiatrist
- Young Caregivers Risk Failing in School, Study Says
- Schools Key to Reaching Kids With Mental Health Needs, Experts Say
- Addiction Treatment Key to Curbing Violence in Mentally Ill: Study
- Drug Addiction Seen as 'Moral Failing,' Survey Finds
- Behavioral Counseling Urged for Teens, Young Adults at Risk for STDs
- Teens' Daily Marijuana Use Linked to Poor Outcomes
- 10 Percent of Americans Admit to Illicit Drug Use
- Serious Childhood Burns Tied to Long-Term Mental Health Risks
- 'Sleep Drunkenness' Is Common and Linked to Other Behavior Issues
- Even Normal-Weight Teens Can Have Dangerous Eating Disorders, Study Finds
- Many With Schizophrenia Say They're Happy: Study
- When Depression Becomes Deadly
- Children With Jailed Family Members More Likely to Have Poor Health Later
- Could a Blood Test Predict Suicide Risk?
- Study Sheds Light on Marijuana and Paranoia
- Sudden Death of Loved One Can Trigger Mental Health Issues
- Premature Death, Suicides Up Among People With Schizophrenia, Study Says
- Schizophrenia May Raise Dementia Risk in Older Adults
- Mental Illness Linked to Shortened Life Spans
- Jury Still Out on Whether Doctors Should Screen for Suicide Risk
- App for Bipolar Disorder Being Tested
- Antipsychotics Help Cut Crime Rate: Study
- Traumatic Brain Injury Common Among Homeless Men
- Mental Illness Not a Driving Force Behind Crime: Study
- Few Good Resources on Self-Harm Exist Online, Study Finds
- Post-Katrina Heart Woes Persisted at Least 6 Years
- Mental Illness to Blame for 10 Percent of Kids' Hospitalizations: Study
- Psychiatric Ills Widespread Among U.S. Soldiers: Studies
- Could Childhood Nightmares Foreshadow Mental Ills as Teen?
- Too Often, Doctors Miss Suicide's Warning Signs: Study
- Mentally Ill More Often Victims Of Violence Than Perpetrators: Study
- Stigma of Mental Illness Remains Barrier to Treatment
- Teen Pregnancy Rates Much Higher for Girls With Serious Mental Illness: Study
- Many Bipolar Patients Take Multiple Psychiatric Meds
- Schizophrenia Linked to Pregnancy Complications, Study Suggests
- Psychotherapy May Be Effective Alternate Treatment for Schizophrenia, Study Finds
- Easy Access to Guns Tied to Higher Risk of Suicide, Homicide
- More Prisons Helping Inmates Enroll in Medicaid at Release: Survey
- Chantix Helped People With Mental Illness Quit Smoking Longer in Study
- Ski Your Way to Happiness?
- Psychiatrists Less Likely to Accept Health Insurance, Study Finds
- Teens' Mental Disorders Often Untreated in U.S., Study Finds
- What Happens When a Child With Autism Refuses Most Foods?
- White House Boosts Insurance Coverage for Mental Illness
- Bipolar Disorder Drug May Need Adjusting in Pregnancy, Study Finds
- J&J to Pay $2 Billion for Improperly Marketing Antipsychotic Drug
- Obamacare Should Help Those With Mental Health Issues, Advocates Say
- Smoking in Pregnancy May Be Tied to Bipolar Disorder in Adult Offspring: Study
- Preemies' Woes Sometimes Due to Heredity, Study Says
- Brain Scans Show Why Psychopaths Don't Feel Your Pain
- Mental State Influences Readmission After Heart Failure Treatment, Study Says
- Imaging Provides New Insights Into Schizophrenia
- Antipsychotic Drugs May Triple Kids' Diabetes Risk, Study Suggests
- Study Casts Doubt on Effectiveness of Delerium Drug
- Quit-Smoking Programs Work for Psychiatric Patients
- U.S. Troops' Suicide Risk Tied to Mental Illness, Not Combat: Study
- Bipolar Disorder May Vary Depending on Weight, Eating Disorders
- Epilepsy Plus Mental Ills Linked to Premature Death, Study Says
- Mental Illness Can Shorten Lives, Studies Show
- Obama Calls for National Debate on Mental Health
- Migraine, Chronic Back Pain Tied to Higher Suicide Risk
- Latest Edition of Psychiatry's 'Bible' Launched Amid Controversy
- Many Suicidal Kids Have Access to Guns at Home: Study
- Faith May Complement Treatment for Mental Illness
- Hospitalization OK for Psych Patients Can Take Hours
- No Benefit From Screening All Patients for Suicide Risk: Report
- Google Search Trends Suggest Mental Woes Vary by Seasons
- Scans May Reveal Pre-Schizophrenia Brain Changes
- Mental Illness a Frequent Cell Mate for Those Behind Bars
- News Coverage of Shootings May Boost Stigma of Mental Illness
- Mental Illness May Not Impede Healthy Weight Loss, Study Says
- People With Mental Illness Make Up Large Share of U.S. Smokers
- Mental Illness May Raise Risk of Being Murdered
- Motherhood May Spur Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior in Some
- 1 in 5 Americans Knows a Victim of Gun Violence: Poll
- Shared Genes May Link ADHD, Autism and Depression
- Smoking Rates Much Higher Among the Mentally Ill: CDC
- Poll Finds Broad Support for Tougher Gun Laws
- Women's Smoking Deaths at All-Time High in U.S.
- Mental Disorders Linked With Domestic Violence, Study Says
- Is the Mental Health System Failing Troubled Kids?
- For Psychiatric Patients, Cancer Is Often Spotted Too Late
- Less Mental Decline Seen in Older Blacks Who Went Hungry as Kids
- 2-Year Period After Parent's Suicide Try Most Risky for Children: Study
- The Secret to a Longer Life? Children
- Big Changes in Psychiatry's 'Bible' of Disorders
- Mood-Altering Medications Not Overused in Teens
- Mental Illness Affects 1 in 5 U.S. Adults, Survey Finds
- What Do Eye Movement Differences in Men and Women Mean?
- Long-Term Use of Some Antipsychotics Not Warranted in Older Adults: Study
- Hanging Suicides Up in United States
- Schizophrenia Patients Who Take Antipsychotics Live Longer, Study Says
- Suicides Up in Sagging U.S. Economy
- Cyberbullying Rarely Single Factor in Teen Suicides: Study
- More Evidence Linking Creativity, Mental Illness
- Alzheimer's: Are Antipsychotic Drugs Worth It?
- Gene Tied to Obesity, Depression, ADHD
- More Than Half of Severe Mental Disability Cases Not Inherited: Study
- Teens Over 1/3 of New Prescription Drug Abusers
- Self-Harm Associated With Premature Death in Study
- Psych, Sleep Meds May Affect Driving
- Older Antipsychotics May Work as Well as Newer Ones: Review
- Dental Woes Abound for Developmentally Disabled: Study
- CDC: Military Veterans Report Poorer Health
- More Drug Trials Needed for Conditions Affecting Kids: Review
- Genes Influence Whether Psych Drugs Lead to Weight Gain
- Serious Mental Illness Tied to Higher Cancer, Injury Risk: Studies
- Violent Shootings: Are There Warning Signs?
- Schizophrenia in Movies: Don't Believe Everything You See
- Aging Boomers' Mental Health Woes Will Swamp Health System: Report
- Cat Litter Parasite May Raise Suicide Risk
- 1 in 10 Fibromyalgia Patients Uses Marijuana to Ease Pain
- Mental Health Woes Raise Odds for Prescription Painkiller Abuse
- Study: Self-Injury Common in Grade School
- More Mental Health Care Urged for Kids Who Self-Harm
- New Clues to Schizophrenia
- Psychiatric Patients Often Wait Nearly 12 Hours in ER
- 50 Years of Data Confirm Benefit of Antipsychotics
- Gene Hunters Link Genes to Brain Size
- Researchers ID Genes That May Determine Mental Illness
- Mental Illness Tied to Higher Rates of Physical Problems: Report
- Prenatal Antipsychotic Drugs Linked to Motor Delays: Study
- Fewer U.S. Med Students Choose Psychiatry: Report
- Antipsychotic Drugs Might Raise Heart Attack Risk: Study
- U.S. Army Suicides Rising Sharply, Study Finds
- Disabled Adults More Apt to Be Victims of Violence: Study
- Is Grief an Illness? The Debate Heats Up
- Brain Development Harmed in Mistreated Kids
- Does Abortion in First Trimester Raise Risk of Mental Ills' Return?
- Report: 1 in 5 Adults Had Mental Illness in 2010
- Widowers Who Stay Single Might Face More Mental Health Woes
- Psych Episode Near Childbirth May Presage Bipolar Disorder
- Health Highlights: Sept. 8, 2011
- Risk for Mental Illness Varies by Gender
- Mothers Play Important Role in Recovery From Mental Illness
- Study: Mental Health Is Top Concern for Youth
- Study: Many With ADHD Can't Control Emotions
- Bipolar Disorder Often Untreated
- Charlie Sheen Substance Abuse: FAQ
- Many Adults Report Troubled Childhood Experiences
- Depression on the Rise in Colleges?
- Depression: The Link Between Depression and Other Mental Illnesses
- Depression: Major Depression
- Psychotic Depression
- Depression Risk Assessment Tool
- Exercise and Depression
- Diagnosing Depression
- Depression: Alternative Therapies for Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia Gene Variant Linked to Risk Traits
- Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders
- Sleep and Depression
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Depression Newsletter
By clicking Submit, I agree to the MedicineNet's Terms & Conditions & Privacy Policy and understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet's subscriptions at any time.
