Mental illness is extremely common and far more prevalent than most people realise. This kind of illness therefore ranks alongside cardiovascular disorders and cancer as one of the nation’s biggest health problems. Mental health problems can take many forms including depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, anxieties, phobias, drug and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dementia.

Mental health conditions that may be diagnosed and treated by a psychiatrist include:

• Anxiety
• Phobias
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Personality disorders
• Schizophrenia and paranoia
• Depression and bipolar disorder
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia