There is substantial variation over time between disorders, and between individuals. Functional ability may also vary across different domains. There may be remission of symptoms, but also relapse. Rates of recovery vary. A number of individual and social factors have been linked to prognosis.

Despite often being characterized in purely negative terms, mental disorders can involve above-average creativity, non-conformity, goal-striving, meticulousness, or empathy. The public perception of the level of disability associated with mental disorders can change