Mental illness

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Mental illness, also termed emotional disability or cognitive dysfunction, encompasses a broad range of illnesses characterized by affective or emotional instability, behavioral dysregulation, and/or cognitive impairment. Illnesses falling under this umbrella include major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, among others.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Various factors can contribute to the onset of mental illnesses. The confluence of biological, psychological, and social factors provides a holistic understanding.

  • Biological Factors: Genetic predispositions can make certain individuals more susceptible. For instance, mutations in the DRD4 gene have been associated with ADHD. Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins or infections during pregnancy, can also play a role.
  • Psychological Factors: Childhood traumas, unresolved internal conflicts, or significant life stressors can lead to disorders like PTSD or depression.
  • Social Factors: Discrimination, bullying, societal pressures, or living in conflict zones can exacerbate or trigger mental health issues. A 2019 study found that refugees have a 30% higher risk of developing PTSD.

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

In the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness, amounting to 51.5 million people in 2019. Anxiety and mood disorders, including depression, are among the most common.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Tools and Instruments: The Hamilton Anxiety Scale, for instance, measures the severity of anxiety symptoms. Blood tests can rule out physical conditions that might cause mental health symptoms.

DSM-IV Expansion: This expansion over time reflects both advancements in our understanding and societal changes in recognizing previously neglected conditions, such as social anxiety disorder.

Controversy[edit | edit source]

Debates around mental health legitimacy often revolve around societal understandings, stigmatization, and occasionally, distrust of psychiatric practices. However, the overwhelming scientific consensus supports the legitimacy and importance of diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.

Categorization[edit | edit source]

The classification of mental illnesses helps in treatment and research:

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms vary widely but can include feelings of sadness, excessive fears, detachment from reality, or significant tiredness.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

  • Medications: Such as SSRIs for depression.
  • Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for example.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Regular exercise and a healthy diet can support mental health.

Patient Advocacy[edit | edit source]

Organizations like the World Federation for Mental Health and NAMI raise awareness, provide resources, and advocate for patients' rights.

In art and literature[edit | edit source]

      1. Books

"Girl, Interrupted" by Susanna Kaysen provides an introspective look into life in a mental hospital.

      1. Motion Pictures

"The Silver Linings Playbook" touches upon issues of bipolar disorder and emotional trauma.

      1. Television

"BoJack Horseman," an animated series, delves deep into addiction, depression, and the struggles of self-identity.

Mental illness (alphabetical list) Edit
Acute stress disorder | Adjustment disorder | Agoraphobia | alcohol and substance abuse | alcohol and substance dependence | Amnesia | Anxiety disorder | Anorexia nervosa | Antisocial personality disorder | Asperger's syndrome | Attention deficit disorder | Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder | Autism | Avoidant personality disorder | Bereavement | Bibliomania | Binge eating disorder | Bipolar disorder | Body dysmorphic disorder | Borderline personality disorder | Brief psychotic disorder | Bulimia nervosa | Circadian rhythm sleep disorder | Conduct disorder | Conversion disorder | Cyclothymia | Delusional disorder | Dependent personality disorder | Depersonalization disorder | Depression | Disorder of written expression | Dissociative fugue | Dissociative identity disorder | Drapetomania | Dyspareunia | Dysthymic disorder | Encopresis | Enuresis | Exhibitionism | Expressive language disorder | Female and male orgasmic disorders | Female sexual arousal disorder | Fetishism | Folie à deux | Frotteurism | Ganser syndrome | Gender identity disorder | Generalized anxiety disorder | General adaptation syndrome | Histrionic personality disorder | Hyperactivity disorder | Primary hypersomnia | Hypoactive sexual desire disorder | Hypochondriasis | Hyperkinetic syndrome | Hysteria | Intermittent explosive disorder | Joubert syndrome | Kleptomania | Down syndrome | Mania | Male erectile disorder | Munchausen syndrome | Mathematics disorder | Narcissistic personality disorder | Narcolepsy | Nightmare disorder | Obsessive-compulsive disorder | Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder | Oneirophrenia | Oppositional defiant disorder | Pain disorder | Panic attacks | Panic disorder | Paranoid personality disorder | Pathological gambling | Pervasive Developmental Disorder | Pica | Post-traumatic stress disorder | Premature ejaculation | | Primary insomnia | Psychotic disorder | Pyromania | Reading disorder | Retts disorder | Rumination disorder | Schizoaffective disorder | Schizoid personality disorder | Schizophrenia | Schizophreniform disorder | | Schizotypal personality disorder | Seasonal affective disorder | Separation anxiety disorder | Sexual Masochism and Sadism | Shared psychotic disorder | Sleep disorder | Sleep terror disorder | Sleepwalking disorder | Social phobia | Somatization disorder | | Specific phobias | Stereotypic movement disorder | Stuttering | Tourette syndrome | Transient tic disorder | Transvestic Fetishism | Trichotillomania | Vaginismus

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Mental Illness.
  • Jones, L., & Hughes, M. (2019). Trauma and Recovery in the Modern World. Oxford Press.
  • Miller, A.J., & Smith, T.P. (2018). Anxiety Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide. Cambridge Health Publications.
Mental illness Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

WikiMD.png


WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!



Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.