DIAGNOSIS - What is Mental Illness


Mental illness is much misunderstood, in this section of the website we will be attempting to give an overview of various conditions. This is NOT an in depth study, and should never be used for self diagnosis. References are given but if you have any doubts you should consult your doctor.
 
Mental illness affects or manifests in a persons brain. They impact on the way a person thinks, behaves and interacts with other people and objects. Just like physical illnesses they can vary in severity but they are real and need treatment. Symptoms can vary likewise, from seeming normality to a state of confusion, agitation or withdrawal.
 
The term "mental illness" implies a distinction between "mental" disorders and "physical" disorders. Research shows that there is much "physical" in "mental" disorders and vice-versa. For example, the brain chemistry of a person with major depression is different from that of a non depressed person, and antidepressant medication can be used to bring the brain chemistry back to normal. Similarly, a person who is suffering from hardening of the arteries in the brain--reducing the flow of blood and thus oxygen in the brain--may experience such "mental" symptoms as confusion and forgetfulness.
 
Psychiatric research has made progress in the precise diagnosis and successful treatment of many mental illnesses. Once mentally ill people were institutionalised because they were disruptive or feared to be harmful to themselves or others, today most people who suffer from a mental illness--including those that can be extremely debilitating, such as schizophrenia --can be treated effectively and lead full lives.
 
Some of the more well known psychiatric disorders are depression; manic depression (also known as bipolar disorder); anxiety disorders, including specific phobias, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder; schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, such as delusional disorder; substance abuse and disorders related to substance abuse; delirium; dementia, including Alzheimer's disease; eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia; sleep disorders; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; learning disorders; sexual disorders; dissociative disorders, such as multiple personality disorder; and personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
 
Further guidance is available under the following headings:-


or by going to:-
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
 


 
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