What is a "mental disorder"?

A mental disorder is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior, often resulting in distress or reduced functioning. These disorders can vary widely in their symptoms and seriousness, ranging from mild and temporary to serious and permanent. Examples of mental disorders include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among others. Mental disorders can be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors, and they may require treatment such as therapy, medication, or a combination of both to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.