Mental disorderSynonymsPsychiatric disorder, psychological disorder, mental illness, mental disease, mental breakdown, nervous breakdownSpecialtyPsychiatry, clinical psychologySymptomsAgitation, anxiety, depression, mania, paranoia, psychosisComplicationsCognitive impairment, social problems, suicideTypesAnxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, substance use disordersCausesGenetic and environmental factorsTreatmentPsychotherapy, medicationsMedicationAntidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, mood stabilizersFrequency18% per year (United States)[1] A mental disorder, also called a mental illness[2] or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning.[3] Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitting, or occur as a single episode. Many disorders have been described, with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders.[4][5] Such disorders may be diagnosed by a mental health professional Continue reading →