Everybody has felt sad or anxious at some point in their lives. Does that mean that everyone is mentally ill?

No, it doesn’t.

Feeling depressed or sad is an appropriate emotional response to a significant loss. The death of someone you love, breaking up with a romantic partner, or moving far away from your friends—all of these are losses that cause psychological pain.

Similarly, feeling anxious is an appropriate emotional response to a frightening or threatening situation. Having stage-fright before a public speech, worrying about where you’ll live if a parent loses their job, or taking a high-stakes test—these are situations that would cause most people to feel anxious.

Sadness, anger, fear, disappointment, and worry are all normal human emotions. So when do emotions cross the line? When do they make us sick? And are emotions the only cause of psychological illness?

In this lesson, you will learn about some common psychological illnesses. You will discover some of the warning signs, and you’ll explore resources for finding help for yourself and others.