A mental illness causes variable amounts of stress and suffering to the person involved. Mental illness interferes with emotion, thought processes, behaviour and perception. People should seek help to overcome a mental illness just as they do for any other illness of the body. Mental illness is not characterised by retardation or lower intellectual capacity, nor is it explained by an individual not living up to society's expectations. The frequency and severity of mental illnesses vary Tom person to person.
Some psychotic episodes are short-lived and occur irregularly.
Other people may have a recurring, lifelong battle. With support and medication, most people with mental illness can lead rewarding lives. Types Mental illness can be broadly classified as psychotic or non-psychotic. Non-psychotic illnesses are characterised by neurosis. This is when a sense of reality is maintained but thinking and behaving become dysfunctional and suffering results.