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  Psychiatric Disability

Core Information

People with a mental illness

What is a mental illness?

The term mental illness refers to a group of illnesses in the same way that heart disease refers to a group of illnesses affecting the heart.  A mental illness is a medical condition. Although no single  cause has been identified, a number of factors may  contribute to the development of a mental illness. Research has identified genetic and biochemical  factors as being associated with major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, although it is not known exactly what triggers the onset of the illness.

Stress may be a trigger for some mental illnesses but the relationship between stress and mental illness is complex. The stress may trigger an episode of illness, or it may be the result of developing the illness.