The term mental illness is used to describe a wide range of illnesses that express symptoms that primarily affect a person’s emotional well-being, in terms of their perceptions of, and reactions to, events and circumstances that occur in their daily life, their mood, and behavior, and how they interact with others. Below is a shortlist of just some of the most commonly treated mental illnesses: - Anxiety disorders: Phobias, panic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). - Behavioral and emotional disorders in children: Oppositional defiance disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). - Bipolar affective disorder: A mood disorder (once called manic depression), includes mania, deep depression, and one may express psychotic symptoms. The exact cause is unknown, but genetic predisposition is likely, triggered by environmental stressors. - Depression: A mood disorder, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, loss of energy. Varying levels of severity and symptoms can lead to suicidal thoughts. - Eating disorders: Includes bulimia, anorexia, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorders. Serious psychological and physical consequences and can affect both genders. - Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): An anxiety disorder producing unwanted and intrusive thoughts, recurring obsessive thoughts, and behavior. Distressing repetitive, and time-consuming rituals. - Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A deep, uncontrollable response to a traumatic event, triggered by the memory of the event. Serious accidents, environmental disasters, the experience of war or torture, sexual assault, and childhood abuse. The above list is informational only and is not intended to assist in any form of diagnosis of a mental disorder. Please see your doctor if you suspect you or a family member may be experiencing symptoms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with suicide being the second leading cause of death among the ages of 15 to 29 years old.