Mental Disorders

Many familiar types of mental disorder's diagnosis may include bi-polar, mania, schizophrenia, paranoia, dementia, depression and even substance abuse. While these terms have become familiar, they are widely misunderstood. There are also many personality disorders categorized that are similar, but considered to be less severe. Persons suffering from one or more of these disorders are in a way, no different than a person with a disease or recovering from an accident. The only way a diagnosis is made is through the use of the manuals.

The two manuals used by Psychologists and Psychiatrists for the diagnosis of types of mental disorders in the U.S. is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The other written manual is the I.S.D. or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Diagnostic criteria is said to require extensive clinical training.

Schizophrenia is a term that seems to describe when a person cannot conceive reality as the majority of the culture does. While this is a severe and debilitating condition, the basis of comparison of reality often goes undefined. Many famous people have been diagnosed with this disorder. Nobel Prize winner John Nash was diagnosed while attending University studies. Later, a movie, (A Beautiful Mind) was made about his life. Bi-polar disorder used to be called manic-depression. This condition is defined by a persons alternating extreme emotional highs and lows. Sometimes these extremes can occur simultaneously. The person is often at risk for committing suicide. Depression has been linked to a deficiency of a chemical in the brain called serotonin. This person may have suicidal tendencies as well. Paranoia is described as extreme irrational fear. Dementia is described as a loss of cognitive function. Primarily, dementia is diagnosed in the elderly, but can occur at any age.