Issues in Looking at Mental Illness by Marian Binder, Ph.D.
The diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), lists and defines the specific categories of mental illness. The manual is periodically revised to improve clarity or account for changes in understanding of the disorders. The current edition, revised in 2001 is the DSM IV- TR(text revision)
Disorders within these categories contain a variety of critical symptoms primarily marked by anxiety, disturbances of thought and perception, disturbances of mood, cognitive dysfunction, and behavioral disturbances.
Many types of symptoms are relatively specific to a particular disorder (i.e. disturbance of thoughts and perception (psychosis) are most commonly associated with schizophrenia. Disturbances in expression of affect and regulation of mood are most commonly seen in depression and bipolar disorder.
It is possible to have psychotic symptoms in patients diagnosed with mood disorders or mood-related symptoms in patients diagnosed with psychoses, etc.
It is important to note that there is a broad continuum of severity for all of these conditions, which might not be clear from knowing the "name" of the diagnosis.
Conditions can be chronic or episodic. Onset may be predictable or sudden.
Situational factors may or may not be involved in precipitating the onset of symptoms.
"Normal" people also experience many forms of thinking, feeling or behaving that people with mental illness experience. The distinction between normal range, and diagnosable, clinical disorders is defined by severity, duration and extent of life impairment.
It is estimated that 20%-40% of the conditions that people seek medical care for are related to psychiatric conditions.
Anxiety and mood disorders are the most common categories of mental illness. Depression may be diagnosed based on certain symptoms, even if the person does not specifically feel sad.
Mood and anxiety problems are not always easily diagnosed as discrete disorders. Current research suggests the possibility of overlap in the structure and chemistry of the brain in some manifestations of both depression and anxiety. Symptoms like worry can exist with depression.
Cultural norms vary and may affect definitions of mental health/mental illness.
A person may be unaware of the ways or extent to which their mood, thoughts or behavior are outside of "normal" limits.
Certain forms of treatment are more effective in certain disorders, than in others. Psychopharmacological treatment (medication) may be clearly warranted in some cases, but more optional in others.
Many mood and anxiety disorders respond best to a combination of medications and psychotherapy.
Individual diagnosis and treatment planning by a qualified mental health professional is always warranted. It is not always possible for a friend or family member to determine the exact nature of the problem, even though certain symptoms may be evident.
Alternatively, people are not always honest with a doctor or therapist, so it is important to trust your intuition as to whether someone is "in trouble" from a mental health standpoint.
