The lived experience of mental illness

Jo Ann Walton

pp. 279-293

in: Toombs (ed), Handbook of phenomenology and medicine, Berlin, Springer, 2001

Abstract

Mental illnesses come in many different shapes and forms. The term "mental illness' may be used to describe something relatively short-lived, a problem manageable enough that a family doctor might be the only health professional called on for help. Or it might denote a major illness, or one of lasting duration, for which several specialist services may be needed.