Mental Health

FAQ
Common mental health conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the United States.
Doctors conduct psychological tests to identify dysfunctional or problematic symptoms, distressing emotions, and alarming thoughts and behavior patterns, as well as use physical exams and lab tests to rule out physical causes. Getting a diagnosis can take time but is important to ensure appropriate treatment.
Many mental health conditions are treatable with medications, therapies, support groups, and lifestyle adjustments. Even though mental illnesses are often lifelong, people with them can live full, active, healthy lives following recovery.
Staying active; eating a nutritious, whole-foods diet; engaging in mindfulness practices like journaling and deep breathing; getting regular, robust sleep; and staying socially engaged are all lifestyle measures that support good mental health.
Law and ethics protect patient confidentiality. However, if you consent to the provider sharing your information, if a legal situation requires it, or if they suspect a significant risk to your safety or someone else's, they may share certain information.

Angela D. Harper, MD
Medical Reviewer
Angela D. Harper, MD, is in private practice at Columbia Psychiatric Associates in South Carolina, where she provides evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for adul...

Marni Amsellem, PhD
Medical Reviewer
Marni Amsellem, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, consultant, and writer. Her areas of specialty include health and health behavior, mental health, stress and coping, and t...

Eric R. Williams, MD
Medical Reviewer
Eric Williams is the associate dean of student affairs and career advising and associate professor of neuropsychiatry and behavioral science at the University of South Carolina Sch...

Leslie Becker-Phelps, PhD
Medical Reviewer

Chester Wu, MD
Medical Reviewer
Chester Wu, MD, is double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine. He cares for patients through his private practice in Houston, where he provides evaluations, medication...

Allison Young, MD
Medical Reviewer
Allison Young, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist providing services via telehealth throughout New York and Florida.
In addition to her private practice, Dr. Young serves as an a...

Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, FAPA
Medical Reviewer
Dr. Patrice Harris is Everyday Health's chief health and medical editor and a board-certified psychiatrist in Atlanta with diverse experience as a private practicing physician, a c...

Lee S. Cohen, MD
Medical Reviewer
Lee S. Cohen, MD, is an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, maintains a clinical practice focused on expert and complex diagnos...

Seth Gillihan, PhD
Medical Reviewer
- Mental Illness: Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. December 13, 2022.
- Mental Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment. Mayo Clinic. December 13, 2022.
ALL MENTAL HEALTH ARTICLES









