Mental Illness Definition Essay

Defining Mental Illness When it comes to defining mental illness, there is not one ‘right answer’. With so many aspects of mental illness, it is easier to look at it from a broader perspective, and then get delve specifics. A very generic definition, however, is a “disorder that affects your mood, thinking, and behavior” (Mayo Clinic Staff). In the United States, there are two types of mental illnesses recognized by the government: Any Mental Illness, ‘AMI’ when shortened, and Severe Mental Illness, which is ‘SMI’ when shortened. In both of these categories, only mental illnesses that can currently be diagnosed, which exclude disorders involving developmental issues and substance use issues, are accounted for (Mental Illness). AMI includes any “mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder”

SMI includes any “mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities” (Mental Illness). That being said, the possession of a mental illness can significantly impact someone’s life for the worse. Within these broad categories of mental illnesses, there are subcategories that exist as well. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, there are 15 different types of specific mental disorders: ADHD, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, Eating Disorder, Depression, OCD, Panic Disorder, PTSD, Psychosis, and Schizophrenia.
ADHD, which stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is “characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity” (Types of Mental Illness). The Autism Spectrum Disorder affects someone’s ability to effectively communicate with others. The Bipolar Disorder encompasses recurring periods of mania and depression that are long-lasting. A Borderline Personality Disorder is