Mental illness is defined as a severe, lasting mental disorder that requires long-term treatment.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. It is a temporary condition
• D. It only affects mood

Answer: (B)

Mental illness refers to conditions that cause clinically significant disturbances in thinking, mood, or behavior and lead to distress or impairment in daily functioning. In practice, these conditions are typically not just brief or everyday problems; they are persistent enough to be considered disorders and often require ongoing care such as long-term treatment. The statement aligns with how health professionals view mental illnesses: they are enduring and usually need sustained management to control symptoms and support functioning. It’s also broader than mood alone, since many mental illnesses involve changes in thoughts, perception, or behavior, not just mood.