What is mental illness

Psychological disorders are a group of medical conditions that affect emotions, thinking, and behavior, mainly manifested as abnormalities in cognitive, emotional, volitional, and behavioral activities, and may lead to significant pain or social dysfunction.

The core feature of emotional disorders

is significant abnormalities in emotional experience and regulation. Common ones include depression and bipolar disorder. Depression is mainly characterized by sustained low mood, loss of interest, and decreased energy. Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating emotions between depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes. Emotional disorders are often associated with genetic, neurobiochemical imbalances, and long-term psychological stress.

2. Anxiety disorders

are characterized by excessive fear and anxiety as their core features. Common conditions include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. Patients may experience strong worry, tension, or fear that is disproportionate to the actual threat, accompanied by symptoms of autonomic nervous system hyperactivity such as palpitations, sweating, and tremors. The causes of anxiety disorders involve genetic susceptibility, dysfunction of neurotransmitters in the brain, and traumatic experiences.

III. Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder

This is a group of severe mental disorders characterized by severe divisions in thinking, perception, emotion, and behavior. Schizophrenia is a typical representative, with symptoms including hallucinations, delusions, mental disorders, emotional apathy, and social withdrawal. This type of disease is believed to be closely related to abnormal brain neural development, dysfunction of neurotransmitter dopamine, and genetic factors.

4. Substance related and addictive disorders

These diseases stem from the repeated use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, illegal drugs, or certain prescription drugs, leading to dependence, abuse, and triggering a series of mental and psychological problems. Material use can directly alter the reward circuit and cognitive function of the brain. Long term use can lead to personality changes, emotional instability, hallucinations, delusions, and other psychiatric symptoms, and seriously damage physical health.

V. Neurodevelopmental disorders

These disorders usually appear in early development, manifested as defects in brain development and functional maturity. Common conditions include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and specific learning disabilities. They can affect an individual's attention, social communication, learning, or behavioral control abilities, and their causes are complex, involving multiple aspects such as genetics, perinatal factors, and early environmental interactions. Understanding mental illness is the first step towards eliminating stigma and promoting positive intervention. Maintaining a regular schedule, balanced nutrition, and moderate physical exercise can help maintain a baseline of mental health. Establishing a stable and harmonious social support network, learning stress management and emotional regulation skills, such as mindfulness meditation, can effectively enhance psychological resilience. When the self-regulation effect is limited or the symptoms have affected normal life, professional evaluation and assistance from psychiatrists or psychotherapists should be actively sought. Early identification and standardized treatment, combined with medication and psychosocial intervention, can significantly improve prognosis and help patients rebuild a quality of life. The general public should provide understanding and support to jointly create an inclusive rehabilitation environment.