Everyone has experienced strong feelings of depression, sadness, tension or fear.

Some people's feelings can become so disturbing and overwhelming that they have difficulty coping with day-to-day activities such as going to work, enjoying leisure time and maintaining relationships.

These states describe a group of mental illnesses that are called non-psychotic illnesses. They are a common experience for many people and include phobias, anxiety, some forms of depression, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Though the symptoms of these disorders are often not evident to others, they cause considerable personal distress.

Most non-psychotic illnesses can be effectively treated, usually with a combination of medication and therapy, which helps the person understand their illness, manage their symptoms, and lead satisfying lives.