See the entire list of all mental illnesses covered on The Mighty here. A mental illness is any disorder in the brain that affects mood, thinking or behavior, believed to be caused by genetic, biological and environmental factors. In the United States, about 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children have a mental illness in any given year. The most common mental illnesses include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. There are a number of treatment options available such as medication, lifestyle changes and different forms of therapy depending on the type and severity of the condition. Recovery is not linear so each individual with a mental illness must work to find the unique treatment plan that is best for them. Mental illnesses may affect a person’s ability to function, relate to and communicate with others. The condition may be temporary - lasting a few months or years- or it may be chronic and affect the person their entire life. Early intervention and treatment is often helpful in managing a mental illness. There are a number of resources available to provide support and information to people living with mental illnesses. If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page. If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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No matter how desperately I need help, I cannot bring myself to ask for it. My words seem to get stuck in my throat. How do I overcome this? Advice?

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