Psychiatry.org - What is Mental Illness?

<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="no-js" lang="en" prefix="og: http://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script src="/scripts/CookieProConsent.js"></script>  <script src="https://cookie-cdn.cookiepro.com/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" data-domain-script="c2462ddb-f724-4b73-af65-ca67aa95fc09"></script>  <link rel="stylesheet" property="stylesheet" href="/styles/main.css" type="text/css"> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:300,400,500,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet">  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://d1azc1qln24ryf.cloudfront.net/96977/APA-Psychiatry/style-cf.css?u8bhcy"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=5.0, minimum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=yes"> <script>window.MSInputMethodContext && document.documentMode && document.write('<script src="assets/scripts/ie11CustomProperties.js"><\x2fscript>');</script> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/assets/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/assets/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/assets/images/favicon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/assets/images/favicon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" href="/assets/images/favicon/favicon.ico"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/assets/images/favicon/favicon.ico"> <script src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/modernizr/2.8.3/modernizr.min.js"></script> <script> document.querySelector('html').classList.remove('no-js'); </script> <script src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.2.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <script>(window.jQuery)||document.write('<script src="/bundles/jquery"><\/script>');</script> <script src='https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=6LeMeuYeAAAAABrJWFEzaExBI5Ymn1brq4C5XzHm'></script> <title>Psychiatry.org - What is Mental Illness?</title> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.psychiatry.org:443/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness" /> <meta name="description" content="Learn about mental illness, diagnosis and treatment"> <meta name="keywords" content="mental, illness, diagnosis, treatment, american, psychiatric, association, health"> <meta property="og:title" content="What is Mental Illness?"> <meta property="og:description" content="Learn about mental illness, diagnosis and treatment"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.psychiatry.org:443/getmedia/0f48967f-3cce-44d3-a4c9-50d0eb04732b/apa-logo-og-social-default.png?width=600&height=390&ext=.png"> <meta property="og:image:secure_url" content="https://www.psychiatry.org:443/getmedia/0f48967f-3cce-44d3-a4c9-50d0eb04732b/apa-logo-og-social-default.png?width=600&height=390&ext=.png"> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.psychiatry.org:443/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness"> <meta property="twitter:title" content="What is Mental Illness?"> <meta property="twitter:description" content="Learn about mental illness, diagnosis and treatment"> <meta property="twitter:image" content="https://www.psychiatry.org:443/getmedia/0f48967f-3cce-44d3-a4c9-50d0eb04732b/apa-logo-og-social-default.png?width=600&height=390&ext=.png"> <meta property="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@APAPsychiatric"> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="44137769986" />  <script> var firstSession = ''; if (firstSession.length > 0) { window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; dataLayer.push({ 'event': 'Authenticated', 'ProfessionalCategory': '', 'MemberStatus': '', 'MemberClass': '' }); } </script>   <script type="text/javascript" id="hs-script-loader" async defer src="//js.hs-scripts.com/46880868.js"></script>   <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-KD7VST');</script>  <link href="/kentico/bundles/pageComponents/styles?v=TYZczTfn9fAUdNjbh7M5mbP4mtJqB7Iq24yX4a7vbL81" rel="stylesheet"/> </head> <body> <div class="o-page"> <a class="skip-to-content-link" href="#main"> Skip to content </a> <header class="o-wrapper c-header u-p--0" id="header"> <div class="c-utility-menu-container"> <div class="o-container"> <nav aria-label="corporate menu"> <div class="c-site-dropdowns"> <div class="c-sites-dropdown"> <a href="/about-apa">About APA</a> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="dropdown-488"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span id="dropdown-488-label" class="sr-only">About APA submenu</span> </button> <div id="dropdown-488" role="region" aria-labelledby="dropdown-488-label" class="c-sites-dropdown-content"> <ul> <li><a href="/about-apa/vision-mission-values-goals">APA's Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/meet-our-organization">Meet Our Organization</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/read-apa-organization-documents-and-policies">Read APA Organization Documents and Policies</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/work-at-apa">Work At APA</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/apa-headquarters">About APA's Headquarters</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/policy-finder">Policy Finder</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="c-sites-dropdown"> <a href="/news-room">Newsroom</a> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="dropdown-937"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span id="dropdown-937-label" class="sr-only">Newsroom submenu</span> </button> <div id="dropdown-937" role="region" aria-labelledby="dropdown-937-label" class="c-sites-dropdown-content"> <ul> <li><a href="/news-room/news-releases">News Releases</a></li> <li><a href="https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/topic/news-president?sortBy=Ppub">Messages from the APA President</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/reporting-on-mental-health-conditions">Reporting on Mental Health Conditions</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/apa-blogs">APA Blogs</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/goldwater-rule">Goldwater Rule</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/annual-meeting-press-registration-guidelines">Annual Meeting Press Registration + Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/apa-public-opinion-polls">APA Public Opinion Polls</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/recommendations-on-covering-aapi-community">Reporter Toolkit: Recommendations on Covering the AAPI Community</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/comunicados-de-prensa-en-espanol">Comunicados de prensa en español</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="c-sites-dropdown"> <a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy">Advocacy & APAPAC</a> </div> <div class="c-sites-dropdown"> <a href="https://www.psychiatry.org">APA Sites</a> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="dropdown-939"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span id="dropdown-939-label" class="sr-only">APA Sites submenu</span> </button> <div id="dropdown-939" role="region" aria-labelledby="dropdown-939-label" class="c-sites-dropdown-content"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting">APA Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="http://community.psychiatry.org/">APA Communities</a></li> <li><a href="https://apaf.org">APA Foundation</a></li> <li><a href="https://jobs.psychiatry.org/">APA JobCentral</a></li> <li><a href="https://education.psychiatry.org">APA Learning Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://appi.org">APA Publishing</a></li> <li><a href="https://workplacementalhealth.org/">Center for Workplace Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.apaf.org/library-archives/">Melvin Sabshin, M.D. Library & Archives </a></li> <li><a href="http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/">Psychiatric News</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.psychiatryonline.org/">Psychiatry Online</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <ul class="c-utility-menu"> <li><a href="/Login"><span class="moon-user" aria-hidden="true"></span>Sign In</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="o-container c-header-top"> <a href="/" class="c-logo"><img src="/assets/images/logos/c-logo.svg" alt="American Psychiatric Association home" /></a> <div class="c-site-search c-site-search--main autocomplete"> <span id="predictiveDescription" class="sr-only">This search input has a predictive search function. When 3 letters or more are entered, a number of predictive results appear in a dropdown. Use arrow keys to navigate and use the enter key to go to the page highlighted.</span> <div class="c-label--float c-label--float--l"> <input type="text" id="search-box" name="SearchText" value="" placeholder="Search Psychiatry.org" aria-describedby="predictiveDescription" class="form-control ui-autocomplete-input" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="results" maxlength="1000" autocomplete="off" data-url="/search-results"> <label id="search-box-label" for="search-box">Search Psychiatry.org</label> </div> <button id="c-search-btn">Search</button> <div class="results-count sr-only" aria-live="assertive"></div> <ul id="results" class="results" role="listbox" aria-labelledby="search-box-label"></ul> </div> <div class="c-header--items"> <div class="c-cta-btns"> <a href="/membership/renew-your-membership" class="c-btn" target="_blank">RENEW</a> <a href="/membership/join-apa" class="c-btn c-btn--orange">JOIN</a> </div> </div> <div class="c-header-menu-wrapper"> <button class="c-btn--header c-search-btn"> <span class="moon-search" aria-hidden="true"><span class="sr-only">Open Search Modal</span></span> </button> <a href="/your-dashboard" class="c-btn--header c-myaccount-btn"> <span class="sr-only">Dashboard</span> <span class="moon-user" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> <button class="c-menu-btn c-hamburger" type="button" aria-label="Menu" aria-controls="mobile-menu-modal"> <span class="c-hamburger-box"> <span class="c-hamburger-inner"></span> </span> </button> </div> </div> <div id="mobile-search-modal" class="c-search--mobile autocomplete-mobile" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="mobile-search-title"> <h1 id="mobile-search-title" class="sr-only">Search</h1> <button class="c-btn--close__search first-focusable-element"> <span class="moon-cross" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="sr-only">Close search</span> </button> <div class="c-site-search c-search--secondary"> <div class="c-label--float c-label--float--l"> <input type="search" id="search-box-mob" name="SearchTextMobile" value="" placeholder="Search Psychiatry.org" aria-describedby="search-box-mob-label" class="form-control ui-autocomplete-input" aria-autocomplete="list" aria-haspopup="listbox" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="results-mob" maxlength="1000" autocomplete="off" data-url="/search-results"> <label id="search-box-mob-label" for="search-box-mob">Search Psychiatry.org</label> </div> <button type="submit" class="last-focusable-element" id="c-search-btn-mob"> Search </button> </div> <div class="results-count-mob sr-only" aria-live="assertive"></div> <ul id="results-mob" class="results" role="listbox" aria-labelledby="search-box-mob-label"></ul> </div> <div class="c-main-nav--wrapper"> <div class="o-container"> <nav class="c-main-nav" aria-label="main"> <ul> <li class="mega-menu "> <a href="/psychiatrists">Psychiatrists</a> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mega-menu-935"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span id="935-label" class="sr-only">Psychiatrists submenu</span> </button> <div class="c-mega-menu" id="mega-menu-935" aria-labelledby="935-label"> <div class="o-container"> <ul class="sidenav"> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-907">Education</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-907"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/education">Education</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting">Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/apa-learning-center">APA Learning Center</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/apa-on-demand">APA On Demand</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.appi.org/">Books and Journals</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/certification-and-licensure">Certification and Licensure</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/education">Diversity and Health Equity Education Resources</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/meeting-submission-and-guidelines">Meeting Submission and Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/mental-health-innovation-zone">Mental Health Innovation Zone</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/the-mental-health-services-conference">The Mental Health Services Conference</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/virtual-immersive-series">The Virtual Immersive</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/virtual-courses">Virtual Paid Courses</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-918">Practice</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-918"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/practice">Practice</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/clinical-practice-guidelines">Clinical Practice Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/covid-19-coronavirus">Covid-19 / Coronavirus</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/digital-mental-health">Digital Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/dsm">DSM</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/ethics">Ethics</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/helping-patients-access-care">Helping Patients Access Care</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/media-and-communications">Media and Communications</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/mental-health-apps">Mental Health Apps</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/parity">Mental Health Parity</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/practice-management">Practice Management</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/professional-interests">Professional Interests</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/quality-improvement">Quality Improvement</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/risk-management">Risk Management</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/social-media">Social Media</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/sunshine-act">Sunshine Act</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/telepsychiatry">Telepsychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/clozapine-rems-program">The Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/transition-to-practice">Transition to Practice and Early Career Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/well-being-and-burnout">Well-being and Burnout</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-3417">Diversity & Health Equity</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-3417"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity">Diversity & Health Equity</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/federal-affairs/diversity-health-equity">Advocacy</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/education">Education</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/governance">Governance</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/mental-health-and-faith-community-partnership">Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/mental-health-equity-fireside-chat">Mental Health Equity Looking Beyond Series</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/mur-caucuses">Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/moore-equity-in-mental-health-initiative">Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/news-and-updates">News and Updates</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/striving-for-excellence-series">Striving for Excellence Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/samhsa-minority-fellowship-programs">SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-3164">Research & Registry</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-3164"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/research">Research & Registry</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/amnet">AMNet: Addiction Medicine Practice Based Research Network</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/dsm">DMS-5-TR</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/registry">PsychPRO: APA's Mental Health Registry</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/research-colloquium-for-junior-psychiatrist-invest">Research Colloquium for Junior Psychiatrist Investigators</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/professional-interests/women-s-mental-health/maternal-mental-health-toolkit">Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/psychiatric-bed-crisis-report">Psychiatric Bed Crisis Report</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-897">Advocacy & APAPAC</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-897"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy">Advocacy & APAPAC</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="https://votervoice.net/AmericanPsych/home">Advocacy Action Center</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/apapac">APAPAC</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/congressional-advocacy-network">Congressional Advocacy Network</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/election-resource-center">Election Resource Center</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/federal-affairs">Federal Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/state-affairs">State Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/implementing-9-8-8">Implementing 9-8-8</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/advocacy-update-webinars">Advocacy Update Webinars</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-451">Meetings & Events</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-451"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings">Meetings & Events</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting">2025 Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/the-mental-health-services-conference">The 2024 Mental Health Services Conference</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/addressing-structural-racism-town-hall">Addressing Structural Racism Town Hall Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/apa-meetings-app">APA Meetings App</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/meet-our-organization/governance-meetings">Governance Meetings</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/mental-health-equity-fireside-chat">Mental Health Equity Fireside Chat Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/moore-equity-in-mental-health-5k">Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/policy-practice-insights-webinar-series">Policy & Practice Insights Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/september-component-meetings">September Component Meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/social-determinants-of-mental-health-town-hall">Social Determinants of Mental Health Town Hall Series</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-2166">Search Directories & Databases</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-2166"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases">Search Directories & Databases</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/amicus-briefs">Amicus Briefs</a></li> <li><a href="http://community.psychiatry.org/">APA Communities</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membershipsites?dir=assembly">Assembly Directory</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membersdirectory">Component Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/conference-publications">Conference Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/library-and-archive">Library and Archive</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membersdirectory">Member Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/member-obituaries">Member Obituaries</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/policy-finder">Policy Finder</a></li> <li><a href="http://psychiatryonline.org/guidelines.aspx">Practice Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/resource-documents">Resource Documents</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-2837">International</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-2837"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/psychiatrists/international">International</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-trainees">International Trainees</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-humanitarian-opportunities">International Humanitarian Opportunities</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/global-mental-health">Global Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-medical-graduates-resources">International Medical Graduates Resources</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="mega-menu "> <a href="/residents-medical-students">Residents & Medical Students</a> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mega-menu-936"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span id="936-label" class="sr-only">Residents & Medical Students submenu</span> </button> <div class="c-mega-menu" id="mega-menu-936" aria-labelledby="936-label"> <div class="o-container"> <ul class="sidenav"> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-967">Residents</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-967"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents">Residents</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/100-club">100% Club</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/residents-journal">Residents' Journal</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/featured-publications">Featured Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships">APA/APAF Fellowships</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/external-fellowships-and-awards">External Fellowships and Awards</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/helping-residents-cope-with-a-patient-suicide">Helping Residents Cope with a Patient Suicide</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-medical-graduates-resources">International Medical Graduates Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/mindgames">MindGames</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/vacant-resident-positions">Vacant Resident Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/leadership-positions">Leadership Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/set-for-success">SET for Success</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-968">Medical Students</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-968"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students">Medical Students</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/apply-for-psychiatric-residency">Apply for Psychiatric Residency</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/choosing-a-career-in-psychiatry">Choosing a Career in Psychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/building-a-career-in-psychiatry">Building a Career in Psychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/medical-student-programs">Medical Student Programs</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/psychsign">PsychSIGN</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/resident-fellow-census">Resident-Fellow Census</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/transitioning-to-residency-during-covid-19">Transitioning to Residency During COVID-19</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="mega-menu c-menu__item--active"> <a href="/patients-families" >Patients and Families</a> <button aria-controls="drop-menu-913" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="sr-only" id="913-label">Patients and Families submenu</span> </button> <div class="c-mega-menu" id="mega-menu-913" aria-labelledby="913-label"> <div class="o-container menu2padding"> <div class="c-ada-mega-menu--intro"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/patients-families">Patients and Families</a></h2> <a href="/patients-families" class="c-btn">View All Topics</a> </div> <div class="c-mega-menu--links"> <ul> <li> <a href="/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry" >What is Psychiatry?</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://finder.psychiatry.org/" >Find a Psychiatrist</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders" >Addiction and Substance Use Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/alzheimers" >Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/alcohol-use-disorder" >Alcohol Use Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/anxiety-disorders" >Anxiety Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/adhd" >Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/autism" >Autism Spectrum Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/bipolar-disorders" >Bipolar Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/climate-change-and-mental-health-connections" >Climate Change and Mental Health Connections</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/coping-after-disaster-trauma" >Coping After Disaster</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/depression" >Depression</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/disruptive-impulse-control-and-conduct-disorders" >Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/dissociative-disorders" >Dissociative Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/domestic-violence" >Domestic Violence</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/eating-disorders" >Eating Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/e-cigarettes-vaping" >E-Cigarettes and Vaping</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/gambling-disorder" >Gambling Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/gender-dysphoria" >Gender Dysphoria</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/helping-a-loved-one-cope-with-mental-illness" >Helping a Loved One Cope with Mental Illness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/hoarding-disorder" >Hoarding Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/integrated-behavioral-healthcare" >Integrated Behavioral Healthcare</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/intellectual-disability" >Intellectual Disability</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/internet-gaming" >Internet Gaming</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder" >Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/opioid-use-disorder" >Opioid Use Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/peripartum-depression" >Perinatal Depression (formerly Postpartum)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/personality-disorders" >Personality Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/ptsd" >Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/prolonged-grief-disorder" >Prolonged Grief Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/schizophrenia" >Schizophrenia</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder" >Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/sleep-disorders" >Sleep Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/somatic-symptom-disorder" >Somatic Symptom Disorder</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder" >Specific Learning Disorders</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination" >Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/suicide-prevention" >Suicide Prevention</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/technology-addictions-social-media-and-more" >Technology Addictions: Social Media, Online Gaming, and More</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness" >Warning Signs of Mental Illness</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/ect" >Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness" >What is Mental Illness?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/psychotherapy" >What is Psychotherapy?</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/telepsychiatry" >What is Telepsychiatry? </a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental" >La Salud Mental</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/medication-guides-for-parents" >Childhood Disorders: Medication Guides for Parents</a> </li> <li> <a href="/patients-families/lifestyle-to-support-mental-health" >Lifestyle to Support Mental Health</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="mega-menu "> <a href="/membership">Membership</a> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mega-menu-940"> <span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span id="940-label" class="sr-only">Membership submenu</span> </button> <div class="c-mega-menu" id="mega-menu-940" aria-labelledby="940-label"> <div class="o-container"> <ul class="sidenav"> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-5057">Join APA</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-5057"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/membership/join-apa">Join APA</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/general-members">General Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/early-career-psychiatrists">Early Career Psychiatrists</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/residents-and-fellows">Residents and Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/medical-students">Medical Students</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/international">International</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/international-resident-fellows">International Resident-Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/semi-retired-and-retired">Semi-Retired and Retired</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org ">View Your Profile</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-5800">Member Benefits</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-5800"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/membership/benefits">Member Benefits</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/general-members">General Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/early-career-psychiatrists">Early Career Psychiatrists</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/resident-fellow-members">Resident-Fellow Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/medical-students">Medical Students</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/international">International</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/international-resident-fellows">International Resident-Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/semi-retired-and-retired">Semi-Retired and Retired</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-5809">Honorary Fellowship (FAPA & DFAPA)</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-5809"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship">Honorary Fellowship (FAPA & DFAPA)</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/fapa">Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/dfapa">Distinguished Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/ifapa">International Fellow of the APA</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/idfapa">International Distinguished Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/newest-class-of-honorary-fellows">2024 Class of Honorary Fellows</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-925">Awards & Leadership Opportunities</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-925"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities">Awards & Leadership Opportunities</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities/awards">Awards</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities/elections">2025 APA National Elections</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/Councils">Councils, Committees and Components</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/leadership-positions">Resident-Fellow Leadership Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities/volunteer-leadership-opportunities">Volunteer Leadership Opportunities</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-5824">Get Involved</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-5824"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/membership/get-involved">Get Involved</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy">Advocacy and APAPAC</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships">APA/APAF Fellowships</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved/apa-insider-sessions">APA Insider Sessions</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved/join-a-caucus">APA Caucuses</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships/additional-opportunities-for-fellows/lead-institute">Leadership, Equity and Diversity Institute</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/medical-student-programs">Medical Student Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships/additional-opportunities-for-fellows/mentorship-program/fellowship-mentorship-program">Mentorship Program for APA/APAF Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/mur-caucuses">Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/research-colloquium-for-junior-psychiatrist-invest">Research Colloquium</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved/apa-communities">APA Communities</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-5836">Directories, Contact Info & FAQs</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-5836"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions">Directories, Contact Info & FAQs</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/contact-your-membership-specialist">Contact Your Membership Specialist</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/district-branches">Contact Your District Branch</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/faqs">Membership FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/semi-retired-and-retired-faqs">Semi-Retired and Retired FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/lump-sum-dues">Lump Sum Dues</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/2025-apa-dues-rate-changes-faqs">2025 APA Dues Rate Changes FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membersdirectory">Member Directory</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membershipsites?dir=assembly">Assembly Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/Councils">Components</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="submenu-5838">District Branches</button> <div class="c-mega-menu--main" id="submenu-5838"> <div class="c-mega-menu--innerlinks"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/district-branches">District Branches</a></h2> <div class="c-innerlinks__hold"> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/district-branches/district-branch-resources">Resources for DB/SA Leadership</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/district-branches/district-branch-dues-for-general-members">District Branch Dues for General Members</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/membership/district-branches/district-branch-dues-for-residents-and-fellows">District Branch Dues for Residents and Fellows</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <style> .c-standard-banner__logo { --banner-logo-max-width: 300px; } </style> <div class="c-standard-banner u-text-protection" style="background-image: url('/getmedia/9ed66b47-59b0-4fff-94e8-8339e1ce7274/blue-texture-banner.jpg?width=1254&height=837&ext=.jpg');"> <div class="o-container"> <div class="c-standard-content"> <h1 itemprop="name">What is Mental Illness?</h1> </div> </div> </div> <section class="o-wrapper c-breadcrumb"> <div class="o-container"> <nav aria-label="breadcrumbs"> <ul> <li><h2>You are here:</h2></li> <li> <a href="/patients-families">Patients and Families</a> </li> <li><span class="moon-arrow-right" aria-hidden="true"></span></li> <li class="c-page--current">What is Mental Illness?</li> </ul> </nav> <ul class="c-toolbar"> <li class="c-share" role="presentation"> <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="ulSocialShare" type="button"> <span class="c-btn__text">Share</span> <span class="moon-share" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> <ul id="ulSocialShare"> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness" title="Share page on Facebook" aria-label="Facebook Share" target="_blank"> <span class="moon-facebook" role="img" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness" title="Share page on Twitter" aria-label="Twitter Share" target="_blank"> <span class="moon-twitter" role="img" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness" aria-label="LinkedIn Share" title="Share page on LinkedIn" target="_blank"> <span class="moon-linkedin" role="img" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b3469646f7236637f7f7b783124247c7c7c257b78726863626a7f79722564796c247b6a7f626e657f78266d6a666267626e78247c636a7f26627826666e657f6a6726626767656e7878" title="Share page via email" aria-label="Email Share" class="mailto-link"> <span class="moon-mail" role="img" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li class="c-print"> <button onclick="window.print();" type="button"> <span class="c-btn__text">Print</span> <span class="moon-print" aria-hidden="true" onclick="window.print();"></span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <main id="main" class="o-wrapper " itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/MedicalWebPage"> <div class="o-container"> <div class="row u-mb--0"> <article class="c-article--main col xs12 l8 xl9 u-mb--0"> <div class="sr-only" aria-hidden="true" itemprop="name">What is Mental Illness?</div> <div class="sr-only" aria-hidden="true" itemprop="description">Learn about mental illness, diagnosis and treatment</div> <div class="c-article__body--h2 c-wysiwyg"> <p>Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking or behavior (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses can be associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.</p> <aside class="aside--right"><strong>Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a medical problem, just like heart disease or diabetes.</strong></aside> <p>Mental illness is common. In any given year</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html" target="_blank">More than one in five adults </a>in the U.S. has a diagnosable mental disorder.</li> <li><a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/myths-and-facts" target="_blank">One in 20</a> adults has a serious mental illness*.</li> <li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html" target="_blank">One in six adults</a> has a substance use disorder (including alcohol use disorder).</li> </ul> <p>Half of all chronic mental illness <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15939839/" target="_blank">begins by age 14.</a></p> <p>Mental illness is treatable. The vast majority of individuals with mental illness continue to function in their daily lives.</p> <div class="islet" style="background-color: #2e5797;"> <h2 class="h-h4"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>About Mental Health</strong></span></h2> </div> <p class="h-sizeLg">Mental <em>Health</em>...involves effective functioning in daily activities resulting in:</p> <ul> <li>Productive activities (such as in work, school or caregiving).</li> <li>Healthy relationships.</li> <li>Ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity.</li> </ul> <p class="h-sizeLg">Mental <em>Illness</em>...refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders — health conditions involving:</p> <ul> <li>Significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or behavior.</li> <li>Distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.</li> </ul> <p>Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communication, learning, resilience, hope and self-esteem. Mental health is also key to relationships, personal and emotional well-being and contributing to community or society. Mental health is a component of overall well-being. It can influence and be influenced by physical health.</p> <p>Many people who have a mental illness do not want to talk about it. But mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of! It is a medical condition, just like heart disease or diabetes. And mental health conditions are treatable. We are continually expanding our understanding of how the human brain works, and treatments are available to help people successfully manage mental health conditions.</p> <p>Mental illness does not discriminate; it can affect anyone regardless of your age, gender, geography, income, social status, race, ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background or other aspect of cultural identity. While mental illness can occur at any age, three-fourths of all mental illness begins by age 24.</p> <p>Mental illnesses take many forms. Some are mild and only interfere in limited ways with daily life, such as some phobias (abnormal fears). Other mental health conditions are so severe that a person may need care in a hospital. Similar to other medical illnesses, the optimal ways to provide care depend on the illness and the severity of its impact.</p> <div class="islet" style="background-color: #2e5797;"> <h2 class="h-h4"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Diagnosis</strong></span></h2> </div> <p>Mental health conditions are treatable and improvement is possible. Many people with mental health conditions return to full functioning. Some mental illness is preventable.</p> <p>It is not always clear when a problem with mood or thinking has become serious enough to be a mental health concern. Sometimes, for example, a low or depressed mood is normal, such as when a person experiences the loss of a loved one. But if that depressed mood continues to cause distress or gets in the way of normal functioning, the person may benefit from professional care. Family or friends may recognize changes or problems that a person doesn’t see in themselves.</p> <p>Some mental illnesses can be related to or mimic a medical condition. For example, depressive symptoms can relate to a thyroid condition. Therefore, a mental health diagnosis often involves a full health evaluation including a physical exam. This may include blood work and/or neurological tests.</p> <p>People of diverse cultures and backgrounds may express mental health conditions differently. For example, some are more likely to come to a health care professional with concerns about physical symptoms that are caused by a mental health condition. Some cultures view and describe mental health conditions in different ways from most doctors in the U.S.</p> <p>Stigma around mental illness and treatment prevents many people from seeking needed treatment.</p> <div class="islet" style="background-color: #2e5797;"> <h2 class="h-h4"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Treatment and Self-help</strong></span></h2> </div> <p>The diagnosis of a mental disorder is not the same as a need for treatment. Need for treatment takes into consideration how severe the symptoms are, how much symptoms cause distress and affect daily living, the risks and benefits of available treatments and other factors (for example, psychiatric symptoms complicating other illnesses).</p> <p>Mental health treatment is based upon an individualized plan developed collaboratively with a mental health clinician and an individual (and family members if the individual desires). It may include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication or other treatments. Often a combination of therapy and medication is most effective. Complementary and alternative therapies are also increasingly being used.</p> <p>Self-help and support can be very important to an individual’s coping, recovery and well-being. Lifestyle changes, such as good nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep with good sleep hygiene can support mental health and recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan may include individual actions (for example, lifestyle changes, support groups or exercise) that enhance recovery and well-being.</p> <p>Primary care clinicians, psychiatrists and other mental health clinicians help individuals and families understand mental illnesses and what they can do to control or cope with symptoms in order to improve health, wellness and function.</p> <div class="row u-flex u-flex--wrap"> <div class="col m6 centered--m"> <figure class="figure--video"><iframe allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XlBXWtH31Q8" title="statistics on people with serious mental illness"></iframe></figure> </div> </div> <h2 class="h-h4">Note</h2> <p>* Serious mental illness is a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance use disorders) resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. Examples of serious mental illness include major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.</p> <h2 class="h-h4 h-bottom h-overline">Physician Review</h2> <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Ihuoma Njoku, M.D.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">November 2022</p> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> </article> <aside class="o-sidebar--r col xs12 l4 xl3"> <div class="o-wrapper o-wrapper--widget "> <div class="c-connect u-bg-color--blue--light"> <h2 class="h4">Connect with APA</h2> <ul class="o-list-bare social"> <li><span class="moon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPsychiatricAssociation" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li><span class="moon-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://twitter.com/APAPsychiatric" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li><span class="moon-linkedin" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-psychiatric-association?trk=vsrp_companies_res_name&trkinfo=" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li> <li><span class="moon-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/apapsychiatric/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><span class="moon-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanPsychiatric" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> <li><span class="moon-tiktok" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@apapsychiatric" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="o-wrapper o-wrapper--widget "> <div class="c-card c-card--no-image c-card--b--l c-card--b--l--tertiary--green u-bg-color--blue--light" role="group" aria-label="card"> <div class="c-card__content"> <div class="c-card__body c-wysiwyg"> <div class="c-card__label u-bg-color--primary--navy"> <span class="c-icon moon-bubble-question" aria-hidden="true"></span> Other resources </div> <h2 class="h2">More on Mental Illness</h2> <ul class="h-pushTop"> <li class="h-pushHalfBottom"><a href="http://www.nimh.nih.gov/" target="_blank">National Institute on Mental Health</a> <ul class="h-flushTop h-flushBottom"> <li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/index.shtml" target="_blank">Information on disorders and treatments</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145401" target="_blank">Clinical Trials</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="h-pushHalfBottom"><a href="http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/" target="_blank">Mental Health America</a> <ul class="h-flushTop h-flushBottom"> <li><a href="http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/live-your-life-well" target="_blank">Live Your Life Well</a></li> <li><a href="https://secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/?pagename=education_screeningcenter" target="_blank">Online screening for mental disorders</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="h-pushHalfBottom"><a href="http://www.nami.org/" target="_blank">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a> <ul class="h-flushTop h-flushBottom"> <li><a href="https://www.nami.org/Find-Support" target="_blank">Find Support</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nami.org/Logon?ReturnUrl=%2fFind-Support%2fDiscussion-Groups" target="_blank">Discussion Groups</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Living-with-a-Mental-Health-Condition" target="_blank">Living with a Mental Health Condition</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="h-pushHalfBottom"><a href="http://www.dbsalliance.org/" target="_blank">Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance</a> <ul class="h-flushTop h-flushBottom"> <li><a href="http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=peer_chapters_support_groups" target="_blank">Support Groups</a></li> <li><a href="https://secure2.convio.net/dabsa/site/SPageServer/?NONCE_TOKEN=2FD62D63508249A9219741BB2F4F34A2&pagename=help_friends_family" target="_blank">Helping someone with a mood disorder</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> </div> </aside> </div> <div class="row u-mb--0"><article class="c-article--main c-col--100 col xs12 u-mb--0"> <div> </div> </article></div> </div> </main> <div class="o-wrapper o-wrapper--minor u-background-dark-blue"> <div class="o-container"> <div class="c-cta-banner"> <h2>Medical leadership for mind, brain and body.</h2> <a href="/membership/join-apa" class="c-btn c-btn--orange">Join Today</a> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="c-footer"> <div class="o-wrapper"> <div class="o-container o-container--alt"> <div class="row c-footer--primary footer-menu u-mb--0"> <div class="col xs12 m6 l3 u-mb--2"> <h3>Explore APA <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="footer-links-list-1"><span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Toggle List</span></button></h3> <ul id="footer-links-list-1"> <li><a href="/psychiatrists" >Psychiatrists</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents" >Residents & Medical Students</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families" >Patients & Families</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa" >About APA</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/work-at-apa" >Work At APA</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings" >Annual Meeting</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col xs12 m6 l3 u-mb--2"> <h3>Newsroom <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="footer-links-list-2"><span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Toggle List</span></button></h3> <ul id="footer-links-list-2"> <li><a href="/news-room/news-releases" >News Releases</a></li> <li><a href="http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/" >Psychiatric News</a></li> <li><a href="https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/topic/news-president?sortBy=Ppub&" target="_blank">Message from President</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/apa-blogs" >APA Blogs</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col xs12 m6 l3 u-mb--2"> <h3>Join APA <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="footer-links-list-3"><span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Toggle List</span></button></h3> <ul id="footer-links-list-3"> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/general-members" >General Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/early-career-psychiatrists" >Early Career Psychiatrists</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/residents-and-fellows" >Residents & Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/medical-students" >Medical Students</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/international" >International</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/international-resident-fellows" >International Resident-Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/semi-retired-and-retired" >Semi-Retired & Retired</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col xs12 m6 l3 u-mb--0"> <h3>APA Sites <button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="footer-links-list-4"><span class="moon-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Toggle List</span></button></h3> <ul id="footer-links-list-4"> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting" >APA Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="http://community.psychiatry.org/" target="_blank">APA Communities</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.apaf.org/" target="_blank">APA Foundation</a></li> <li><a href="https://jobs.psychiatry.org/" target="_blank">APA JobCentral</a></li> <li><a href="https://education.psychiatry.org/SSOLogin" target="_blank">APA Learning Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.appi.org" target="_blank">APA Publishing</a></li> <li><a href="http://workplacementalhealth.org/" target="_blank">Center for Workplace Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.apaf.org/library-archives/" target="_blank">Melvin Sabshin, M.D. Library & Archives</a></li> <li><a href="http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/" target="_blank">Psychiatric News</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.psychiatryonline.org/" target="_blank">Psychiatry Online</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="o-wrapper o-wrapper--minor--m u-bg--white"> <div class="o-container o-container--alt"> <div class="row c-footer--secondary u-pt--1 u-mb--2"> <div class="col xs12 ml6 u-mb--0--max--ml"> <nav aria-label="footer links"> <ul class="c-list c-list--inline-b u-mb--0--ml"> <li><a href="/terms-of-use-and-privacy-policy" >Terms of Use and Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/copyright" >Copyright</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/contact-us" >Contact</a></li> <li><a href="/conflict-of-interest-policy" >Conflict of Interest Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/accessibility" >Accessibility</a></li> </ul> </nav> <ul class="c-footer-social"> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPsychiatricAssociation" aria-label="Link to Facebook" target="_blank"><span class="moon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/apapsychiatric/" aria-label="Link to Instagram" target="_blank"><span class="moon-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/APAPsychiatric" aria-label="Link to Twitter" target="_blank"><span class="moon-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanPsychiatric" aria-label="Link to YouTube" target="_blank"><span class="moon-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-psychiatric-association?trk=vsrp_companies_res_name&trkinfo=" aria-label="Link to LinkedIn" target="_blank"><span class="moon-linkedin" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@apapsychiatric" aria-label="Link to TikTok" target="_blank"><span class="moon-tiktok" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col xs12 ml6 u-mb--0--max--ml"> <ul class="u-ta--r--ml u-mb--5--max--ml u-mb--2--ml"> <li class="u-mb--0">© 2024 American Psychiatric Association. All Rights Reserved</li> <li><span class="moon-map-marker" aria-hidden="true"></span><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/BCds8kqQT2k9hdJ86" target="_blank">800 Maine Avenue, S.W., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20024</a></li> </ul> <ul class="c-contact c-list c-list--inline-b u-ta--r--ml"> <li><span class="moon-phone" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a href="tel:202-559-3900">202-559-3900</a></li> <li><span class="moon-mail" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9889988a9999a908a81c7869b8e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="afcedfceefdfdcd6ccc781c0ddc8">[email protected]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <div id="mobile-menu-modal" class="c-modal c-modal--menu c-modal--side c-modal--side--l" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-labelledby="mobile-menu-title"> <h1 id="mobile-menu-title" class="sr-only">Mobile menu</h1> <button class="close-button first-focusable-element"> <span class="moon-cross" aria-hidden="true"></span> <span class="sr-only">Close menu</span> </button> <div class="menu-container"> <div class="menu-level-0">  <ul class="ada-menu"> <li><a href="/" alt="Home">Home</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="935-menu"> Psychiatrists <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="936-menu"> Residents & Medical Students <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="913-menu"> Patients and Families <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="940-menu"> Membership <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="488-menu"> About APA <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="937-menu"> Newsroom <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy">Advocacy & APAPAC</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="939-menu"> APA Sites <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li>  <li><a href="/membership/renew-your-membership" target="_blank">RENEW</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa">JOIN</a></li> <li><a href="/Login" class="last-focusable-element u-bg-color--tertiary--blue--light">Sign In <span class="moon-exit-right" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu-level-1"> <ul id="935-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists" ><strong>Psychiatrists</strong></a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="907-menu"> Education <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="918-menu"> Practice <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="3417-menu"> Diversity & Health Equity <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="3164-menu"> Research & Registry <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="897-menu"> Advocacy & APAPAC <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="451-menu"> Meetings & Events <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="2166-menu"> Search Directories & Databases <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="last-focusable-element" aria-controls="2837-menu"> International <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> </ul> <ul id="936-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students" ><strong>Residents & Medical Students</strong></a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="967-menu"> Residents <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="last-focusable-element" aria-controls="968-menu"> Medical Students <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> </ul> <ul id="913-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families" ><strong>Patients and Families</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/what-is-psychiatry">What is Psychiatry?</a></li> <li><a href="http://finder.psychiatry.org/">Find a Psychiatrist</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="914-menu"> Addiction and Substance Use Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="915-menu"> Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/alcohol-use-disorder">Alcohol Use Disorder</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5244-menu"> Anxiety Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5246-menu"> Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5278-menu"> Autism Spectrum Disorder <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="4820-menu"> Bipolar Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="6142-menu"> Climate Change and Mental Health Connections <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/coping-after-disaster-trauma">Coping After Disaster</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="2604-menu"> Depression <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="4877-menu"> Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5293-menu"> Dissociative Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/domestic-violence">Domestic Violence</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5342-menu"> Eating Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/e-cigarettes-vaping">E-Cigarettes and Vaping</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="4942-menu"> Gambling Disorder <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5090-menu"> Gender Dysphoria <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/helping-a-loved-one-cope-with-mental-illness">Helping a Loved One Cope with Mental Illness</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5103-menu"> Hoarding Disorder <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/integrated-behavioral-healthcare">Integrated Behavioral Healthcare</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5215-menu"> Intellectual Disability <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/internet-gaming">Internet Gaming</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="4893-menu"> Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/opioid-use-disorder">Opioid Use Disorder</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5070-menu"> Perinatal Depression (formerly Postpartum) <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="4911-menu"> Personality Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5157-menu"> Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/prolonged-grief-disorder">Prolonged Grief Disorder</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5171-menu"> Schizophrenia <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder">Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5131-menu"> Sleep Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5146-menu"> Somatic Symptom Disorder <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5089-menu"> Specific Learning Disorders <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination">Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/suicide-prevention">Suicide Prevention</a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="8429-menu"> Technology Addictions: Social Media, Online Gaming, and More <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/warning-signs-of-mental-illness">Warning Signs of Mental Illness</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/ect">Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness">What is Mental Illness?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/psychotherapy">What is Psychotherapy?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/telepsychiatry">What is Telepsychiatry? </a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="6880-menu"> La Salud Mental <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/medication-guides-for-parents">Childhood Disorders: Medication Guides for Parents</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/lifestyle-to-support-mental-health" class="last-focusable-element">Lifestyle to Support Mental Health</a></li> </ul> <ul id="940-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership" ><strong>Membership</strong></a></li> <li> <button aria-controls="5057-menu"> Join APA <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5800-menu"> Member Benefits <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5809-menu"> Honorary Fellowship (FAPA & DFAPA) <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="925-menu"> Awards & Leadership Opportunities <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5824-menu"> Get Involved <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button aria-controls="5836-menu"> Directories, Contact Info & FAQs <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> <li> <button class="last-focusable-element" aria-controls="5838-menu"> District Branches <span class="moon-chevron-right--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> </button> </li> </ul> <ul id="488-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/about-apa" ><strong>About APA</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/vision-mission-values-goals">APA's Vision, Mission, Values, and Goals</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/meet-our-organization">Meet Our Organization</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/read-apa-organization-documents-and-policies">Read APA Organization Documents and Policies</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/work-at-apa">Work At APA</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/apa-headquarters">About APA's Headquarters</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/policy-finder">Policy Finder</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/contact-us" class="last-focusable-element">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> <ul id="937-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/news-room" ><strong>Newsroom</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/news-releases">News Releases</a></li> <li><a href="https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/topic/news-president?sortBy=Ppub">Messages from the APA President</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/reporting-on-mental-health-conditions">Reporting on Mental Health Conditions</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/apa-blogs">APA Blogs</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/goldwater-rule">Goldwater Rule</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/annual-meeting-press-registration-guidelines">Annual Meeting Press Registration + Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/apa-public-opinion-polls">APA Public Opinion Polls</a></li> <li><a href="/news-room/recommendations-on-covering-aapi-community">Reporter Toolkit: Recommendations on Covering the AAPI Community</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/comunicados-de-prensa-en-espanol" class="last-focusable-element">Comunicados de prensa en español</a></li> </ul> <ul id="939-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="https://www.psychiatry.org" ><strong>APA Sites</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting">APA Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="http://community.psychiatry.org/">APA Communities</a></li> <li><a href="https://apaf.org">APA Foundation</a></li> <li><a href="https://jobs.psychiatry.org/">APA JobCentral</a></li> <li><a href="https://education.psychiatry.org">APA Learning Center</a></li> <li><a href="https://appi.org">APA Publishing</a></li> <li><a href="https://workplacementalhealth.org/">Center for Workplace Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.apaf.org/library-archives/">Melvin Sabshin, M.D. Library & Archives </a></li> <li><a href="http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/">Psychiatric News</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.psychiatryonline.org/" class="last-focusable-element">Psychiatry Online</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu-level-2"> <ul id="907-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education" ><strong>Education</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting">Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/apa-learning-center">APA Learning Center</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/apa-on-demand">APA On Demand</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.appi.org/">Books and Journals</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/certification-and-licensure">Certification and Licensure</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/education">Diversity and Health Equity Education Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/meeting-submission-and-guidelines">Meeting Submission and Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/mental-health-innovation-zone">Mental Health Innovation Zone</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/the-mental-health-services-conference">The Mental Health Services Conference</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/virtual-immersive-series">The Virtual Immersive</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/education/virtual-courses" class="last-focusable-element">Virtual Paid Courses</a></li> </ul> <ul id="918-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice" ><strong>Practice</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/clinical-practice-guidelines">Clinical Practice Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/covid-19-coronavirus">Covid-19 / Coronavirus</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/digital-mental-health">Digital Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/dsm">DSM</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/ethics">Ethics</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/helping-patients-access-care">Helping Patients Access Care</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/media-and-communications">Media and Communications</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/mental-health-apps">Mental Health Apps</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/parity">Mental Health Parity</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/practice-management">Practice Management</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/professional-interests">Professional Interests</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/quality-improvement">Quality Improvement</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/risk-management">Risk Management</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/social-media">Social Media</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/sunshine-act">Sunshine Act</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/telepsychiatry">Telepsychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/clozapine-rems-program">The Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/transition-to-practice">Transition to Practice and Early Career Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/well-being-and-burnout" class="last-focusable-element">Well-being and Burnout</a></li> </ul> <ul id="3417-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity" ><strong>Diversity & Health Equity</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/federal-affairs/diversity-health-equity">Advocacy</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/education">Education</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/governance">Governance</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/mental-health-and-faith-community-partnership">Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/mental-health-equity-fireside-chat">Mental Health Equity Looking Beyond Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/mur-caucuses">Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/moore-equity-in-mental-health-initiative">Moore Equity in Mental Health Initiative</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/news-and-updates">News and Updates</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/striving-for-excellence-series">Striving for Excellence Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/diversity/samhsa-minority-fellowship-programs" class="last-focusable-element">SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program</a></li> </ul> <ul id="3164-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research" ><strong>Research & Registry</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/amnet">AMNet: Addiction Medicine Practice Based Research Network</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/dsm">DMS-5-TR</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/registry">PsychPRO: APA's Mental Health Registry</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/research-colloquium-for-junior-psychiatrist-invest">Research Colloquium for Junior Psychiatrist Investigators</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/practice/professional-interests/women-s-mental-health/maternal-mental-health-toolkit">Perinatal Mental Health Toolkit</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/psychiatric-bed-crisis-report" class="last-focusable-element">Psychiatric Bed Crisis Report</a></li> </ul> <ul id="897-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy" ><strong>Advocacy & APAPAC</strong></a></li> <li><a href="https://votervoice.net/AmericanPsych/home">Advocacy Action Center</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/apapac">APAPAC</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/congressional-advocacy-network">Congressional Advocacy Network</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/election-resource-center">Election Resource Center</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/federal-affairs">Federal Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/state-affairs">State Affairs</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/implementing-9-8-8">Implementing 9-8-8</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy/advocacy-update-webinars" class="last-focusable-element">Advocacy Update Webinars</a></li> </ul> <ul id="451-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings" ><strong>Meetings & Events</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/annual-meeting">2025 Annual Meeting</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/the-mental-health-services-conference">The 2024 Mental Health Services Conference</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/addressing-structural-racism-town-hall">Addressing Structural Racism Town Hall Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/apa-meetings-app">APA Meetings App</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/meet-our-organization/governance-meetings">Governance Meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/mental-health-equity-fireside-chat">Mental Health Equity Fireside Chat Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/moore-equity-in-mental-health-5k">Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/policy-practice-insights-webinar-series">Policy & Practice Insights Series</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/september-component-meetings">September Component Meetings</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/meetings/social-determinants-of-mental-health-town-hall" class="last-focusable-element">Social Determinants of Mental Health Town Hall Series</a></li> </ul> <ul id="2166-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases" ><strong>Search Directories & Databases</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/amicus-briefs">Amicus Briefs</a></li> <li><a href="http://community.psychiatry.org/">APA Communities</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membershipsites?dir=assembly">Assembly Directory</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membersdirectory">Component Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/conference-publications">Conference Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/library-and-archive">Library and Archive</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membersdirectory">Member Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/member-obituaries">Member Obituaries</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/policy-finder">Policy Finder</a></li> <li><a href="http://psychiatryonline.org/guidelines.aspx">Practice Guidelines</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/resource-documents" class="last-focusable-element">Resource Documents</a></li> </ul> <ul id="2837-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="935-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international" ><strong>International</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-trainees">International Trainees</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-humanitarian-opportunities">International Humanitarian Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/global-mental-health">Global Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-medical-graduates-resources" class="last-focusable-element">International Medical Graduates Resources</a></li> </ul> <ul id="967-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="936-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents" ><strong>Residents</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/100-club">100% Club</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/residents-journal">Residents' Journal</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/featured-publications">Featured Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships">APA/APAF Fellowships</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/external-fellowships-and-awards">External Fellowships and Awards</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/helping-residents-cope-with-a-patient-suicide">Helping Residents Cope with a Patient Suicide</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/international/international-medical-graduates-resources">International Medical Graduates Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/mindgames">MindGames</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/vacant-resident-positions">Vacant Resident Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/leadership-positions">Leadership Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/set-for-success" class="last-focusable-element">SET for Success</a></li> </ul> <ul id="968-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="936-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students" ><strong>Medical Students</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/apply-for-psychiatric-residency">Apply for Psychiatric Residency</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/choosing-a-career-in-psychiatry">Choosing a Career in Psychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/building-a-career-in-psychiatry">Building a Career in Psychiatry</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/medical-student-programs">Medical Student Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/psychsign">PsychSIGN</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/resident-fellow-census">Resident-Fellow Census</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/transitioning-to-residency-during-covid-19" class="last-focusable-element">Transitioning to Residency During COVID-19</a></li> </ul> <ul id="914-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders" ><strong>Addiction and Substance Use Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder">What Is a Substance Use Disorder?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/addiction-substance-use-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Addiction and Substance Use Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="915-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/alzheimers" ><strong>Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/alzheimers/what-is-alzheimers-disease">What Are Dementia and Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/alzheimers/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5244-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/anxiety-disorders" ><strong>Anxiety Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/what-are-anxiety-disorders">What are Anxiety Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/anxiety-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Anxiety Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5246-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/adhd" ><strong>Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd">What is ADHD?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/adhd/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: ADHD</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5278-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/autism" ><strong>Autism Spectrum Disorder</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/autism/what-is-autism-spectrum-disorder">What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/autism/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Autism Spectrum Disorder</a></li> </ul> <ul id="4820-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/bipolar-disorders" ><strong>Bipolar Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/what-are-bipolar-disorders">What Are Bipolar Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/bipolar-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Bipolar Disorder</a></li> </ul> <ul id="6142-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/climate-change-and-mental-health-connections" ><strong>Climate Change and Mental Health Connections</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/climate-change-and-mental-health-connections/affects-on-mental-health">How Extreme Weather Events Affect Mental Health</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/climate-change-and-mental-health-connections/who-is-affected-by-climate-change" class="last-focusable-element">Who Is Affected by Climate Change?</a></li> </ul> <ul id="2604-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/depression" ><strong>Depression</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression">What Is Depression?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/depression/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Depression</a></li> </ul> <ul id="4877-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/disruptive-impulse-control-and-conduct-disorders" ><strong>Disruptive, Impulse-Control and Conduct Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/disruptive-impulse-control-and-conduct-disorders/what-are-disruptive-impulse-control-and-conduct">What are Disruptive, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/disruptive-impulse-control-and-conduct-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Disruptive, Impulse Control and Conduct Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5293-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/dissociative-disorders" ><strong>Dissociative Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/dissociative-disorders/what-are-dissociative-disorders">What Are Dissociative Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/dissociative-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Dissociative Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5342-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/eating-disorders" ><strong>Eating Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders">What are Eating Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/eating-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Eating Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="4942-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/gambling-disorder" ><strong>Gambling Disorder</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/gambling-disorder/what-is-gambling-disorder">What is Gambling Disorder?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/gambling-disorder/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Gambling Disorder</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5090-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/gender-dysphoria" ><strong>Gender Dysphoria</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria">What is Gender Dysphoria?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Gender Dysphoria</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5103-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/hoarding-disorder" ><strong>Hoarding Disorder</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/hoarding-disorder/what-is-hoarding-disorder">What is Hoarding Disorder?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/hoarding-disorder/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Hoarding Disorder</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5215-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/intellectual-disability" ><strong>Intellectual Disability</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/intellectual-disability/what-is-intellectual-disability">What is Intellectual Disability?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/intellectual-disability/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Intellectual Disability</a></li> </ul> <ul id="4893-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder" ><strong>Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder">What Is are Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders? </a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5070-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/peripartum-depression" ><strong>Perinatal Depression (formerly Postpartum)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/peripartum-depression/what-is-peripartum-depression">What is Perinatal Depression (formerly Postpartum)?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/peripartum-depression/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Perinatal Depression</a></li> </ul> <ul id="4911-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/personality-disorders" ><strong>Personality Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/personality-disorders/what-are-personality-disorders">What are Personality Disorders? </a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/personality-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Personality Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5157-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/ptsd" ><strong>Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd">What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/ptsd/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5171-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/schizophrenia" ><strong>Schizophrenia</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia">What is Schizophrenia? </a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/schizophrenia/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Schizophrenia</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5131-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/sleep-disorders" ><strong>Sleep Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/sleep-disorders/what-are-sleep-disorders">What are Sleep Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/sleep-disorders/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Sleep Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5146-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/somatic-symptom-disorder" ><strong>Somatic Symptom Disorder</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/somatic-symptom-disorder/what-is-somatic-symptom-disorder">What is Somatic Symptom Disorder? </a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/somatic-symptom-disorder/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Somatic Symptom Disorder</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5089-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder" ><strong>Specific Learning Disorders</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder/what-is-specific-learning-disorder">What Are Specific Learning Disorders?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/specific-learning-disorder/expert-q-and-a" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Specific Learning Disorders</a></li> </ul> <ul id="8429-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/technology-addictions-social-media-and-more" ><strong>Technology Addictions: Social Media, Online Gaming, and More</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/technology-addictions-social-media-and-more/what-is-technology-addiction">What is Technology Addiction?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/technology-addictions-social-media-and-more/expert-q-a-technology-addiction" class="last-focusable-element">Expert Q&A: Technology Addiction</a></li> </ul> <ul id="6880-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="913-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental" ><strong>La Salud Mental</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/cigarrillos-electronicos-y-vapeo">Cigarrillos electrónicos y vapeo</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/trastorno-del-espectro-autista">Trastorno del espectro autista</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/trastorno-por-consumo-de-alcohol">Trastorno por consumo de alcohol</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/trastorno-por-consumo-de-opioides-1">Trastorno por consumo de opioides</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/trastorno-de-estres-postraumatico-tept">Trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT)</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/comunicados-de-prensa-en-espanol">Comunicados de prensa en español</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/adiccion-a-la-tecnologia-redes-sociales-juegos-en">Adicción a la tecnología: redes sociales, juegos en línea, y más</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/¿que-es-la-psiquiatria">¿Qué es la psiquiatría?</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/conexiones-entre-el-cambio-climatico-y-la-salud-me">Conexiones entre el cambio climático y la salud mental</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/ansiedad">Ansiedad</a></li> <li><a href="/patients-families/la-salud-mental/mas-temas-de-salud-mental" class="last-focusable-element">Más temas de salud mental</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5057-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa" ><strong>Join APA</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/general-members">General Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/early-career-psychiatrists">Early Career Psychiatrists</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/residents-and-fellows">Residents and Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/medical-students">Medical Students</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/international">International</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/international-resident-fellows">International Resident-Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/join-apa/semi-retired-and-retired">Semi-Retired and Retired</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org " class="last-focusable-element">View Your Profile</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5800-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits" ><strong>Member Benefits</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/general-members">General Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/early-career-psychiatrists">Early Career Psychiatrists</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/resident-fellow-members">Resident-Fellow Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/medical-students">Medical Students</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/international">International</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/international-resident-fellows">International Resident-Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/benefits/semi-retired-and-retired" class="last-focusable-element">Semi-Retired and Retired</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5809-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship" ><strong>Honorary Fellowship (FAPA & DFAPA)</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/fapa">Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/dfapa">Distinguished Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/ifapa">International Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/idfapa">International Distinguished Fellow of the APA</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/honorary-fellowship/newest-class-of-honorary-fellows" class="last-focusable-element">2024 Class of Honorary Fellows</a></li> </ul> <ul id="925-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities" ><strong>Awards & Leadership Opportunities</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities/awards">Awards</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities/elections">2025 APA National Elections</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/Councils">Councils, Committees and Components</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/leadership-positions">Resident-Fellow Leadership Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/awards-leadership-opportunities/volunteer-leadership-opportunities" class="last-focusable-element">Volunteer Leadership Opportunities</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5824-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved" ><strong>Get Involved</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/advocacy">Advocacy and APAPAC</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships">APA/APAF Fellowships</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved/apa-insider-sessions">APA Insider Sessions</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved/join-a-caucus">APA Caucuses</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships/additional-opportunities-for-fellows/lead-institute">Leadership, Equity and Diversity Institute</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/medical-students/medical-student-programs">Medical Student Programs</a></li> <li><a href="/residents-medical-students/residents/fellowships/additional-opportunities-for-fellows/mentorship-program/fellowship-mentorship-program">Mentorship Program for APA/APAF Fellows</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/mur-caucuses">Minority and Underrepresented (M/UR) Caucuses</a></li> <li><a href="/psychiatrists/research/research-colloquium-for-junior-psychiatrist-invest">Research Colloquium</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/get-involved/apa-communities" class="last-focusable-element">APA Communities</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5836-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions" ><strong>Directories, Contact Info & FAQs</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/contact-your-membership-specialist">Contact Your Membership Specialist</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/district-branches">Contact Your District Branch</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/faqs">Membership FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/semi-retired-and-retired-faqs">Semi-Retired and Retired FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/lump-sum-dues">Lump Sum Dues</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/contacts-and-frequently-asked-questions/2025-apa-dues-rate-changes-faqs">2025 APA Dues Rate Changes FAQs</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membersdirectory">Member Directory</a></li> <li><a href="https://my.psychiatry.org/s/membershipsites?dir=assembly">Assembly Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/Councils" class="last-focusable-element">Components</a></li> </ul> <ul id="5838-menu" class="ada-menu"> <li> <button class="back-button" data-parentid="940-menu"> <span class="moon-chevron-left--light" aria-hidden="true"></span> Back </button> </li> <li><a href="/about-apa/Meet-Our-Organization/district-branches" ><strong>District Branches</strong></a></li> <li><a href="/membership/district-branches/district-branch-resources">Resources for DB/SA Leadership</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/district-branches/district-branch-dues-for-general-members">District Branch Dues for General Members</a></li> <li><a href="/membership/district-branches/district-branch-dues-for-residents-and-fellows" class="last-focusable-element">District Branch Dues for Residents and Fellows</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script><script src="/bundles/app?v=5opUbqYSt863D-JHnLX1FtkyL3j69ZPbx_Slj8ts-xo1"></script> <script src="/bundles/jquery-unobtrusive-ajax?v=xrOBCOOAZ9Yz1_xnxbYeoUZg8LKWeWcJsFM3nIre0H41"></script> <script src="/bundles/jquery-validation?v=_2NARcHqgXjmcyzoEO-6dbbnH3elQxR0HYVvVd8_xNw1"></script> <script src="/bundles/jquery-ui?v=4wk3vpAM5e15eFhIIiHHawwKes2icINLp9J-NBqewGU1"></script> <script src="/kentico/bundles/forms/scripts?v=-bjGh-FOT6yDTxgrHwJwJf92VzWLPBz3wNicLVM1-v01"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Psychiatry.org - What is Mental Illness?