As a person struggling with depression and bipolar disorder, I can easily say that both of my conditions have made my life a lot harder than it was in the past, but they are part of what defines me. Depression can be defined as a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness, and in most cases, loss of interest in activities. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings, and it used to be known as manic depression. There are many other mental illnesses such as anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), severe phobias, other mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychotic disorders, which include schizophrenia. All of these disorders are classified as a mental illness. Mental illnesses can be caused by a number of things, such as genes and family history, life experiences, biological factors similar to chemical imbalances in the brain, a traumatic brain injury, a mother ́s exposure to toxic chemicals or viruses while pregnant, use of alcohol or recreational drugs, serious physical medical conditions, and having few friends, or feeling lonely and isolated. Mental disorders are very common, especially in teenagers. More than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some point in their lifetime. Mental illnesses can be treated in many different ways, depending on what mental illness you have and how severe it is. Some treatment plans may include medicines and therapy, while other plans, for mental illnesses that are more severe, may include going to a psychiatric hospital, if you are trying to hurt yourself or others. In most psychiatric hospitals, you will receive special counseling, group discussions, other activities with other patients and mental health professionals, and you will be in an environment that is safe for you and the people around you. Some symptoms that may start to show through if you are developing a mental illness are changes in your sleep patterns, changes in appetite, constant or sudden mood changes, withdrawal from society, an unusual drop in functioning or taking care of yourself, problems thinking, increased sensitivity, loss of initiative or desire to participate in activities, being disconnected from one's self or their surroundings, unusual or exaggerated beliefs, fear, suspiciousness of others, increased nervousness, and unusual behavior. If a person experiences one or two of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that they have a mental illness, but it is suggested to get a psychiatric evaluation. If a person is experiencing all or many of these symptoms, the person(s) should seek a psychiatric evaluation and mental help immediately.