You may have heard people refer to mental illness as a single type of illness, but mental illnesses or disorders actually encompass a wide range of symptoms, causes and treatments.
A mental disorder is a broad term used to group physical and psychological symptoms that cause abnormal thoughts and behaviors. Mental disorders are more commonly referred to as mental illnesses. These illnesses cause abnormal behavior that is disruptive to a person's life. Mental illnesses may be associated with the brain, but they have more in common with other bodily illnesses than they do differences. In fact, as we learn about mental disorders, it is good to keep in mind how similar they are to physical illnesses.
