Understand

Understanding mental illness

Mental illnesses are health conditions, not character flaws or spiritual failures. They are common, and they are treatable. These pages explain each one in plain words, with sources.

Depression

Depression is a common, treatable medical condition, not ordinary sadness or a lack of faith. It brings a low or empty mood, or a loss of interest in things, most of the day for at least two weeks, along with changes in sleep, energy, appetite and thinking. Talk therapy, medicine or both help most people feel better.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the body's normal alarm system, and a little of it helps us. An anxiety disorder is when the worry or fear doesn't go away, shows up in many situations, and gets in the way of daily life. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions, and therapy, medicine or both help most people.

Insomnia and sleep problems

Insomnia is trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or getting good-quality sleep, even when you have the time and a good place to sleep. Short spells after stress are common; chronic insomnia happens at least three nights a week for more than three months. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first treatment.

Trauma and PTSD

Trauma is the lasting impact of a frightening, life-threatening or deeply harmful event. Most people recover from the shock with time, but some develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): reliving the event, avoiding reminders, feeling on edge and carrying heavy negative thoughts for more than a month. PTSD treatment works, especially trauma-focused talk therapy.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental illness that causes clear shifts in mood, energy, activity and concentration, from manic or "up" periods to depressed "down" periods. It is a real medical condition, not a character flaw, and with ongoing treatment and support many people manage it well and live full lives.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses marked by severe disturbances in eating and in how a person thinks and feels about food, weight and their body. They can affect anyone, including people who look healthy, and they can be treated successfully, especially when help starts early.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness in which unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) cause intense distress, and a person feels driven to repeat behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) to ease it. It is not about being neat or quirky, and it is very treatable, especially with a therapy called exposure and response prevention (ERP).

Substance use and addiction

A substance use disorder, often called addiction, is a treatable health condition in which a person keeps using alcohol or drugs despite harm, because use has changed how the brain handles reward, stress and self-control. It is not a moral failure, and recovery is possible. SAMHSA's free, confidential National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is open 24/7.

Only a doctor or licensed mental health professional can diagnose a mental illness. If something here sounds familiar, that’s a good reason to talk to one. If you’re in crisis, get help now.