What Is Mental Illness?

Abstract This chapter begins to describe the ways in which things can go awry when people develop the symptoms of a mental illness. It maps out the range of behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that can be impacted by a mental illness. The chapter focuses on the most common ways that society and people who study and treat mental illness think about these disorders, and how those ideas have changed over time. It also describes the ways in which mental illnesses can impair a person’s ability to carry out the functions of daily life. The chapter then highlights some notable individuals who have shared their stories and struggles with mental illness. By the end of this chapter, the reader will have a solid sense of what mental illness really is.