What Is Mental Illness?

The DSM-IV (the “bible” of mental illness) defines it as “behavioral or psychological syndromes or patterns that cause distress, disability in functioning, or a significantly increased risk of death, pain or disability.”  That’s not entirely helpful, but it’s a start.  It also says that there has to be a certain acuity level (severity) and durational level of symptoms.  So, if you’re anxious because you have an upcoming job interview and can’t function well for a few days or a week before, you can’t be diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder.  The acuity and duration of symptoms just aren’t there.

The disorders and conditions are given on five axes or classifications or domains:
I) Clinical Disorders

II) Personality Disorders

III) General Medical Conditions

IV) Psychosocial and Environmental Problems

V) Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)

This system is used so that all the various dimensions of a person can be assessed.  After all, we’re complex organisms.

Popular Examples:
Axis I:  Substance-Related Disorders; Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders; Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders; Eating Disorders; Sleep Disorders.

Axis II:  Boderline Personality Disorder; Narcissistic Personality Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Mr. Monk); Mental Retardation.

Axis III:  Diseases of the Circulatory, or Respiratory, or Digestive Systems.

Axis IV:  Problems Related to Social Environment; Educational Problems; Occupational Problems; Economic Problems.

Axis V:  This axis is used for the clinician to determine the person’s overall level of functioning, and goes from 10 (“Persistent Danger of Severely Hurting Self or Others”) to 100 (“Superior Functioning in a Wide Range of Activities, Life’s Problems Never Seem to Get Out of Hand, Is Sought Out By Others Because of His or Her Many Positive Qualities.  No Symptoms.”)

So this is one definition of “Mental Illness.”  There are other characterizations.  What about a definition of “Mental Health?”

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