Mental and physical health are closely related; it is considered that no health exists without mental health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a significant number of individuals in the general population can develop mental disorders, conditions which affect their personal, familial and social life and constitute an important cause of impairment. It is currently considered that almost one in four Europeans is suffering from a form of mental illness each year. Most frequently is unipolar depression, followed by alcohol use disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and dementia. The WHO list, also, mentions loss of hearing in adults and AIDS, which are frequently accompanied by psychological problems. If we also consider that some car accidents may probably be suicidal attempts, then the spectrum of conditions which are related to psychiatric reasons and can lead to disability is really wide.

G.N. Papadimitriou (page 203) - Full article