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A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.
Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.
Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder.
Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing.
Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS FIFTH EDITION DSM-5™ published 2013 by the American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic Criteria and Codes Section 2 of the DSM
1) Neurodevelopmental Disorders
a group of conditions with onset in the developmental period.
2) Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following five domains:
delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking (speech), grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior (including catatonia), and negative symptoms. Two particularly prominent “Negative Symptoms”: diminished emotional expression and avolition. Avolition is a decrease in motivated self-initiated purposeful activities.
3) Bipolar and Related Disorders
bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, substance/medication-induced bipolar and related disorder, bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition, other specified bipolar and related disorder, and unspecified bipolar and related disorder.
4) Depressive Disorders (separated from previous section in this edition)
disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder (including major depressive episode), persistent depressive disorder
(dysthymia), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition, other specified depressive disorder, and unspecified depressive disorder.
5) Anxiety Disorders (Long section, largely situational)
disorders that share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances.
Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat.
6) Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder), excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, substance/medication-induced obsessive-compulsive and related disorder, obsessive-compulsive and related disorder due to another medical condition, and other specified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder and unspecified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder (e.g., body-focused repetitive behavior disorder, obsessional jealousy).
7) Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorders
include reactive attachment disorder, disinhibited social engagement disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, and adjustment disorders.
8) Dissociative Disorders
characterized by a disruption of and/or discontinuity in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body
representation, motor control, and behavior.
9) Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (Changed from version 4)
somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder), psychological factors affecting other medical conditions, factitious disorder, other specified somatic symptom and related disorder, and unspecified somatic symptom and related disorder.
10) Feeding and Eating Disorders
pica, rumination disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder
11) Elimination Disorders
involve the inappropriate elimination of urine or feces and are usually first diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
12) Sleep-Wake Disorders
Intended for use by general mental health and medical clinicians (those caring for adult, geriatric, and pediatric patients). Sleep-wake disorders encompass 10 disorders or disorder groups: insomnia disorder, hypersomnolence disorder, narcolepsy, breathing-related sleep disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep arousal disorders, nightmare disorder, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome, and substance/medication-induced sleep disorder.
13) Sexual Dysfunctions
typically characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in a person's ability to respond sexually or to experience sexual pleasure.
Include: delayed ejaculation, erectile disorder, female orgasmic disorder, female sexual interest/arousal disorder, genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, male hypoactive sexual desire disorder, premature (early) ejaculation, substance/medication-induced sexual dysfunction, other specified sexual dysfunction, and unspecified sexual dysfunction.
14) Gender Dysphoria (more descriptive than the previous DSM-4 term gender identity disorder & focuses on dysphoria as the clinical problem, not identity per se.)
there is one overarching diagnosis of gender dysphoria, with separate developmentally appropriate criteria sets for children and for adolescents and adults.
Disorders of sex development denote conditions of inborn somatic deviations of the reproductive tract from the norm and/or discrepancies among the biological indicators of male and female.
15) Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
include conditions involving problems in the self-control of emotions and behaviors. the disorders in this chapter are unique in that these problems are manifested in behaviors that violate the rights of others (e.g., aggression, destruction of property) and/or that bring the individual into significant conflict with societal norms or authority figures.
16) Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Encompasses 10 separate classes of drugs: alcohol; caffeine; cannabis; hallucinogens (with separate categories for phencyclidine [or similarly acting arylcyclohexylamines] and other hallucinogens); inhalants; opioids; sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics; stimulants (amphetamine-type substances, cocaine, and other stimulants); tobacco; and other (or unknown) substances.
17) Neurocognitive Disorders (NCDs) (referred to in DSM-4 as "Dementia,Delirium, Amnestic, and Other Cognitive Disorders")
The NCD category encompasses the group of disorders in which the primary clinical deficit is in cognitive function, and that are acquired rather than developmental.
18) Personality Disorders (updated from DSM-4)
A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment.
Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on descriptive similarities.
Cluster A includes paranoid, schizoid, and schizotypal personality disorders. Individuals with these disorders often appear odd or eccentric.
Cluster B includes antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Individuals with these disorders often appear dramatic, emotional, or erratic.
Cluster C includes avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Individuals with these disorders often appear anxious or fearful.
• Paranoid personality disorder is a pattern of distrust and suspiciousness such that others' motives are interpreted as malevolent.
• Schizoid personality disorder is a pattern of detachment from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression.
• Schizotypal personality disorder is a pattern of acute discomfort in close relationships, cognitive or perceptual distortions, and eccentricities of behavior.
• Antisocial personality disorder is a pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others.
• Borderline personality disorder is a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity.
• Histrionic personality disorder is a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking.
• Narcissistic personality disorder is a pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
• Avoidant personality disorder is a pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation.
• Dependent personality disorder is a pattern of submissive and clinging behavior related to an excessive need to be taken care of.
• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is a pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control.
• Personality change due to another medical condition is a persistent personality disturbance that is judged to be due to the direct physiological effects of a medical condition (e.g., frontal lobe lesion).
• Other specified personality disorder and unspecified personality disorder is a category provided for two situations:
1) the individual's personality pattern meets the general criteria for a personality disorder, and traits of several different personality disorders are present, but the criteria for any specific personality disorder are not met; or
2) the individual's personality pattern meets the general criteria for a personality disorder, but the individual is considered to have a personality disorder that is not included in the DSM-5 classification (e.g., passive-aggressive personality disorder).
19) Paraphilic Disorders
An individual may be said to have that paraphilia but not a paraphilic disorder if some of the criterion are met and not others.
Voyeuristic disorder (spying on others in private activities), exhibitionistic disorder (exposing the genitals), frotteuristic disorder (touching or rubbing against a nonconsenting individual), sexual masochism disorder (undergoing humiliation, bondage, or suffering), sexual sadism disorder (inflicting humiliation, bondage, or suffering), pedophilic disorder (sexual focus on children), fetishistic disorder (using nonliving objects or having a highly specific focus on nongenital body parts), and transvestic disorder (engaging in sexually arousing cross-dressing).
20) Other Mental Disorders
This residual category applies to presentations in which symptoms characteristic of a mental disorder that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning predominate but do not meet the full criteria for any other mental disorder in DSM-5.
1) Other specified mental disorder due to another medical condition
2) unspecified mental disorder due to another medical condition
3) other specified mental disorder
4) unspecified mental disorder.
Treatment - Where you come in.
Amateur - Be supportive. Always urge the sufferer of mental illness to a professional. Do not dismiss them. This is your chance to help get them the care they need. Never shame them or insist that it’s “nothing” “or just hormones”. Though many times it is quite simple, just as often it is not and you will inflict unintentional harm on the sufferer.
Expert - Starts with the family practice general medical practitioner. Have a conversation. Make an appointment for whatever it is you think you may be suffering from. This will prepare the doctor to take the proper time to help. Expect to be referred to a specialist, as many things are beyond the scope of family practice and need higher levels of training.
Helpful Resources
Special thanks to tumblr user mentalillnessmouse for this excellent list.
Helpful resources categorized by topic:
Urgent
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General resources
PsychForums Psychology and Mental Health Forums, a great place to ask questions and learn more.
Psych Central Forums and great information.
Lets Recover Together A Tumblr blog that contains inspiration and a place to get advice and support.
How to find a Support Group How to find the proper support group and other resources.
DailyStrength A support forum for a variety of different situations and disorders/illnesses.
Medline Plus isthe National Institutes of Health’s Web site for patients and their families and friends. It brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues.
The Treatment Advocacy Center is an United States of America nonprofit organization working to eliminate barriers to timely treatment of severe mental illness.
Mental Health Medications Guidedescribes the types of medications used to treat mental disorders, side effects of medications and directions for taking medications.
Open minds open doors is a initiative aimed at ending discrimination against people with mental illness.
Active minds is the only organization working to utilize the student voice to change the conversation about mental health on college campuses.
This post gives information on what Tics are and how they are treated.
Here’s some tips for preparing for a natural disaster when you have a mental illness.
Looking for a book about mental illness? Check out our Book List!
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General techniques & posts
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Getting a therapist
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Helping a friend
Want to help a friend with a mental illness or disorder? This post provides some great tips.
Want to help a friend or loved one with Social Anxiety? This post provides some great tips.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration launched the Mental Health Campaign for Mental Health Recovery to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems.
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How to tell someone about your mental health & interactions with others
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Abuse
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Addictions
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about addictions and impulse problems and how it affects your life.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Facility Locator or mental health and substance abuse treatment programs and resources in the USA.
The addiction help center has an extensive range information and resources about different types of addictions including food addictions, work addictions, sex addictions, internet addictions, shopping addictions, gambling addiction and self harm addiction.
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ADD/ ADHD
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about ADD/ADHD and how it affects your life.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
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Adoption
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
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Anger Management
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Anxiety and Panic Disorder
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Autism
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Bipolar Disorders
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Body Positivity & self esteem
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Bullying
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Chronic Pain and pain management
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Mental health crisis
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Dermatillomania
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Depression and Dysthymia
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Dissociative Disorders & Dissociation
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Eating Disorders
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about eating disorders and how it affects your life.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
The addiction help center has lots of resources that explains eating disorders, their treatment and much more.
Kati Morton, a therapist, makes weekly videos about various aspects of living with an eating disorder and coping strategies you can use.
Something Fishy is a website that provides information on eating disorders and places to find treatment, as well as forums for people with eating disorders and friends/family members.
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Grief & Loss
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about the experience of grief and/or bereavement, and the painful process of adjusting to the loss of someone or something you love.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
SAVE provides suicide bereavement support and offers numerous coping strategies.
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OCD
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
It might help to read some information on this blog ocdfree that has some great links and forums.
The ocd foundation has some fantastic links for finding help, resources, links and information about OCD.
This post gives information on what Tics are and how they are treated.
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Perfectionism
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Personality Styles and Disorders
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about personality styles and disorders (borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, etc.) and how these affect people and relationships.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
SDPD A wealth of resources on self-defeating personality disorder, related disorders and personalities disorders.
This is a toolbox with tips and hints for people with personality disorders.
Outofthefog is a website that has comprehensive guides to various personality disorders, their causes, symptoms and treatment.
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PTSD & Trauma
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Relationship Problems
Mental Support Community A forum where you can talk about relationship difficulties such as how hard it is to make relationships work.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
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Schizophrenia
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about schizophrenia and how it affects your life.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
This website has lots of comprehensive information about schizophrenia, it’s causes, treatment and management.
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Self Injury
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Sexuality Issues
Mental Support Community A forum to talk about sexuality issues including performance and lack of desire issues, fetishes, sexual addictions & compulsive pornography use and the impact of these issues on self-esteem and relationships.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
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Stress
Help Guide A site containing articles to help understand, help numbers, “tool kits”, and self help.
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
It might also help to read this on managing stress.
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Suicide Prevention
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Teen issues
Helping Teens They address topics such as suicide, depression, sex, sexuality & pregnancy, self harm, rape & abuse, school & after school, bullies, relationships, family & friends, smoking, self esteem, religion & spirituality, general health, disorders & eating disorders, drugs & alcohol
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Tourettes
Mental Help A site that has basic information, resources, articles, and a list of books that might be helpful.
This post gives information on what Tics are and how they are treated.
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Trichotillomania
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Interactive websites
Mood Gym is an interactive website that allows you to learn cognitive behaviour therapy skills for preventing and coping with depression. The techniques can additionally be applied to a range of mental health issues.
Facing us The Facing Us Clubhouse is a program brought to you by The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). The website contains options to create a journal and wellness plan. In addition to great resources such as a wellness tracker (similar to a mood diary) and general tips.
