Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Mental illness is a leading cause of disability. Aside from reducing your overall quality of life, untreated mental illness can cause severe emotional, behavioral and physical health problems. Mental illness can also cause legal and financial problems. Complications linked to mental illness include:

  • Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life
  • Family conflicts
  • Relationship difficulties
  • Social isolation
  • Substance abuse
  • Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school
  • Heart disease and other medical conditions
  • Poverty
  • Homelessness
  • Suicide
References
  1. Matorin AA, et al. Clinical manifestations of psychiatric disorders. In: Sadock BJ, et al. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:1071.
  2. Mental illness and the family: Recognizing warning signs and how to cope. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/mi-and-the-family/recognizing-warning-signs-and-how-to-cope.Accessed June 25, 2010.
  3. Introduction. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 28, 2010.
  4. What are the early signs of mental disorders? World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/features/qa/38/en. Accessed June 25, 2010.
  5. Warning signs of major mental illness. Healthy Minds. http://www.healthyminds.org/Document-Library/Brochure-Library/Lets-Talk-Facts-Warning-Signs-of-Major-Mental-Illnesses.aspx. Accessed June 25, 2010.
  6. Mind/body connection: How your emotions affect your health. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/mental/782.printerview.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
  7. Kung S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 22, 2010.
  8. The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/statistics/index.shtml. Accessed June 25, 2010.
  9. Kiraly B, et al. Primary care issues in patients with mental illness. American Family Physician. 2008;1:355.
  10. Overview of mental illness. Mental health: A report of the Surgeon General. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/chapter2/sec2.html. Accessed June 28, 2010.
  11. Mental illness: Taking care of yourself. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0801/p363.html. Accessed June 25, 2010.
  12. Martinez M, et al. Psychopharmacology. In: Hales RE. Textbook of Psychiatry. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008.
  13. Donker T, et al. Psychoeducation for depression, anxiety and psychological distress: A meta-analysis. BMC Medicine. 2009;7:79.
  14. Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed June 28, 2010.
  15. Lee RA. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154207005-3/0/1494/57.html?tocnode=54111716&fromURL=57.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50014-4_229. Accessed June 28, 2010.
  16. Saeed SA, et al. Herbal and dietary supplements for treatment of anxiety disorders. American Family Physician. 2007;76:549.
  17. Wahner-Roedler D. Treating 20 common conditions. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:166.
  18. Staying well when you have a mental health condition. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/go/mental-health-month/staying-well-when-you-have-a-mental-illness. Accessed June 28, 2010.
DS01104 Sept. 1, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger