What is the term used for a condition where an individual has a mental disability?

The term that best fits a condition where an individual has a mental disability is "Mental illness." This term encompasses a wide range of mental health conditions that can significantly affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, often hindering their ability to function in daily life. Mental illness can include disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among others. These conditions are recognized in clinical and legal settings as they impact an individual’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

In contrast, while the other terms—cognitive disability, psychological disorder, and emotional distress—are related to mental health, they do not encompass the full scope of what is meant by mental disability. Cognitive disability typically refers to impairments in cognitive function that can affect learning and processing information but may not necessarily indicate a mental illness. Psychological disorder is a broader category and might refer to various conditions that include mental illness but isn't specific to "mental disability" alone. Emotional distress describes a state of emotional suffering but does not inherently classify a condition as a mental disability.