Question

What are the differences between mental “illness” and mental “disorder.” Be specific and detailed; give examples.

Is all mental illness mental disorder? Is all mental disorder mental illness?

Answer 1

• The difference between "mental disorder" and "mental illness," then is one of considering the origin of the condition.
• Disorder-A disturbance or derangement that affects the function of mind or body, such as an eating disorder or the abuse of a drug.
• Illness-A pathological condition of a body part, an organ, or a system resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.
• A mental disorder is a change in an individual’s way of thinking and feeling that impedes his ability to perform his day-to-day activities. There are several forms of mental disorders of which anxiety and depression are the most prominent conditions. A disorder is granted valid whenever thoughts and feelings increasingly interfere in one’s normal functioning or pleasure.
• Mental health disorders are classified based on various assessments and diagnoses. The ICD-10 Chapter V: Mental and Behavioral Disorders which is part of the International Classification of Diseases produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) produced by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) serve as universal standards in this endeavor.
• Mental disorders cover a wide array of concepts. Some noteworthy disorders include:
• Generalized anxiety disorder which is an unrealistic anxiety that thrives over time.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder which is a state of re-experiencing events.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder which is the preoccupation on thoughts and ideas.
• Somatoform disorder which is characterized by persistent complaints in physical health.
• “Illness” is sometimes used to describe conditions, such as schizophrenia which has a strong biological basis but is not at all confirmatory.
• Mental disorders can result from the presence of numerous mental illnesses, whereas a mental illness is typically treated as one major condition by physicians. Those who are properly diagnosed and receive treatment for their mental disorders often learn that they require a dual diagnosis for a series of different disorders.
• While a mental disorder can be realized by the person and in certain instances, alleviated or treated at home by altering one’s lifestyle, a mental illness always requires medical intervention and is usually more obvious to an outside observer.
• Mental illness requires medication, a course of treatment specifically designed for the patient’s needs and a patient medical team.
• Someone who has a mental illness is not always able to subsist in modern society without help, while a person who suffers from a mental disorder may falsely believe that they do not have a problem.
• A patient who has extremely low self esteem may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope, but this carries much less of a social stigma and most would not believe that the person needs help.
• In summation, a mental illness is typically present from childbirth, while a mental disorder reveals itself over the course of time. A mental illness aggravates a person’s ability to live a normal life at a very rapid pace.
• A mental disorder takes place when a patient begins to experience thoughts and feelings that interfere with their chances of living a normal lifestyle.
• A person who is experiencing any sort of thought process or feeling that keeps them from proceeding normally should visit a mental health professional as soon as possible.