A mental disorder , also referred to as a mental illness , [ 6 ] a mental health condition , [ 7 ] or a psychiatric disability , [ 2 ] is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. [ 8 ] A mental disorder is also characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior, often in a social context . [ 9 ] [ 10 ] Such disturbances may occur as single episodes, may be persistent, or may be relapsing–remitting . There are many different types of mental disorders, with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders. [ 10 ] [ 11 ] A mental disorder is one aspect of mental health . The causes of mental disorders are often unclear. Theories incorporate findings from a range of fields. Disorders may be associated with particula...