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• Anxiety disorder

  Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illlnesses in the UK. They cover everything from panic disorder, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder to post-traumatic stress disorder. Each has its own particular symptoms and differs greatly from normal feelings of nervousness.

• Alzheimer's disease

  Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative and irreversible brain disorder that causes intellectual impairment, disorientation and eventually death. There is no cure. It is estimated that 2-5% of people over 65 years of age and up to 20% of those over 85 years of age suffer from the disease.

• Depression

  Depression is a common mental illness which is estimated to affect up to one in five Britons at some point in their lifetime and to cost the UK about £8bn a year in medication, benefits and lost working days.

• Eating disorders

  Eating disorders are responsible for the highest number of deaths from psychiatric illness. The Eating Disorders Association estimates that about 165,000 people in the UK have eating disorders with 10% dying as a result, but experts believe it could be higher.

• Electro-convulsive Therapy

  Once a commonly used - and controversial - treatment for a variety of mental problems, ECT still bears a stigma despite advances which have made it far safer and more effective. ECT involves placing electrodes on the temples, on one or both sides of the patient's head, and delivering a small electrical current.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder which can have a potentially devastating impact on all aspects of everyday life. Sufferers demonstrate bizarre behaviour, upsetting both to them and families, colleagues and friends. OCD is estimated to affect 2-3% of the general population.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

  Those recovering from a traumatic event - such as a school shooting or a major crash - are at risk of severe psychological harm. The main risk is that they will suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, which can lead to painful memories striking the victims at any time.

• Schizophrenia

  Schizophrenia is the most chronic and disabling of the major mental illnesses. It is a highly complex condition, and scientists are not even sure if it is one disorder, or a range of disorders, with different causes. Approximately one per cent of the population develop schizophrenia during their lives. Men and women are affected equally. Schizophrenia is not, as is commonly thought, split personality.

• Self-harm

  People with a history of self-harm deliberately inflict injury upon themselves, for example, by cuttting or burning themselves or taking an overdose. Experts say the problem is more common than most people think and is linked to feelings of low self-esteem. Many people may hurt themselves secretly for some time before they ask for help, often because of fear and shame.