Understanding and Recognizing Mental Disorders

The term "psychiatric" is defined by Dorland's Medical Dictionary as:

Pertaining to or within the purview of psychiatry—the branch of medicine, which deals with the study, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) outlines the criteria by which specific mental disorders are diagnosed and is the main diagnostic reference tool used by mental health practitioners in the US, today. According to the DSM-IV, a mental disorder is:

A clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual and that is associated with present distress (a painful symptom) or disability (impairment in one or more important areas of functioning) or with significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain or disability.

Mental disorders include bipolar disorder and depression, psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, personality disorders, eating disorders and substance-related disorders. Learn more about mental disorders by following the links on this page.

Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, often called manic depression, is one of the major mood disorders and is distinguished by behavior that fluctuates from extreme highs (mania) to serious lows (depression) interspersed with periods of "normal" mood.

Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are some of the most prevalent of mental health problems suffered by Americans today. Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Schizophrenia
"Schizophrenia" is derived from the term "split mind". It describes people suffering from social dysfunction and psychosis, but despite popular belief, people suffering from schizophrenia do not have multiple personalities.

Personality Disorders
A large number of personality disorders exist. Some have very similar symptoms; some have symptoms similar to other medical conditions or mental disorders. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking appropriate treatment is key to symptom control.

Substance Abuse
Substance abuse and drug addiction cover a wide range of legal and illegal drugs, from alcohol and inhalants to crack cocaine and heroin. Each type of substance abuse carries its own dangers and health risks.

Warning Signs
In this section, parents can learn how to spot the warning signs and get advice on how to deal with worrisome behavioral problems. Such problems include self-mutilation, sex, school violence, and alcohol use.

Resources

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC. 1994.

Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary , 29th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA. 2000.