Conditions And Disorders
“Mental disorder” or “mental conditions” are terms used to describe a set of behaviors, perceptions and actions that are out of what is considered normal for an individual’s society. What is normal may vary by culture. It is estimated that at one time over a third of all people have met the DSM IV criteria for having a mental disorder. The Diagnostic Statistics Manual Fourth edition is published by the American Psychiatric Association and contains the definition and diagnostic criteria of the mental disorders and conditions accepted by mental health professionals and doctors. The specific disorder classifications, names and criteria for each mental disorder and condition are to be used as guidelines for making diagnosis and forming clinical judgments. It does not encompass all of the conditions or disorders for which an individual may be treated.
There is no single cause for having a mental disorder. Factors that may influence their development include biological, psychological and social. Some disorders are triggered or highlighted by an environmental event while others begin in early infancy due to attachment deficiencies.
The term mental disorder and mental condition are usually interchangeable, but a more complete definition of the term condition is outlined below. The term “mental illness” can also be misleading. The term suggests the disorder is solely that of thought, emotion or perception. However research has shown that there is an equal amount of physical and biological presence in mental disorders. There are genetic and brain chemistry factors present in those with mental disorders that are not present in an individual without the disorder. Contrary to what was once believed, it’s not all in the mind.
The following is a list of DSM IV mental disorders and conditions by category:
Adult Disorders
- Delirium, Dementia, and Amnestic
- Mental Disorders due to a General Medical Condition
- Substance-Related Disorders
- Schizophrenia and other Psychotic Disorders
- Mood Disorders
- Anxiety Disorders
- Somatoform Disorders
- Dissociative Disorders
- Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Sleep Disorders
- Impulse Control Disorders
- Adjustment Disorders
- Personality Disorders
The DSM IV does pay attention to conditions as opposed to diagnosable mental disorders. Some conditions warrant independent clinical attention. They may be related to a mental disorder or they require attention on their own. They are considered conditions not mental disorders. Other conditions that may be the cause for an individual to seek treatment are:
- Medication-Induced Movement Disorders
- Adverse effects of medication
- Relational Problem related to a mental disorder or medical condition
- Parent-Child Relational Problem
- Partner Relational Problem
- Sibling Relational Problem
- Physical Abuse of a Child
- Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Neglect of a Child
- Physical Abuse of an Adult
- Sexual Abuse of an Adult
- Noncompliance with Treatment
- Malingering
- Adult Antisocial Behavior
- Child or adolescent Antisocial Behavior
- Borderline Intellectual Functioning
- Age-Related Cognitive Decline
- Bereavement
- Academic Problem
- Occupational Problem
- Identity Problem
- Religious or Spiritual Problem
- Acculturation Problem
- Phase of Life Problem
Childhood Disorders
There is a section of mental disorders reserved for those usually first diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adolescence. The overall categories that these disorders fall under are as follows:
- Mental Retardation
- Learning Disorders
- Motor Skills Disorder
- Communication Disorders
- Pervasive Developmental Disorders
- Attention-Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
- Feeding and Eating Disorders of Infancy or Early Childhood
- Tic Disorders
- Elimination Disorders
- Attachment Disorders
When the full criteria for a disorder are met, the qualifiers “mild, moderate, severe, in partial remission, in full remission or prior history” is used to measure the severity. Factors that are used in making this decision include number of symptoms, intensity, and impairment on the individual’s functioning.