Classification
The definition and
classification of mental disorder is a key issue for the mental health
professions and for users and providers of mental health services. Most
international clinical documents use the term "mental disorder"
rather than "mental illness". There is no single definition
and the inclusion criteria are said to vary depending on the social, legal
and political context. In general, however, a mental disorder has been
characterized as a clinically significant behavioral or psychological
pattern that occurs in an individual and is usually associated with distress,
disability or increased risk of suffering. The term "serious mental
illness" (SMI) is sometimes used to refer to more severe and long-lasting
disorder. A broad definition can cover mental disorder, mental retardation,
personality disorder and substance dependence. The phrase "mental
health problems" may be used to refer only to milder or more transient
issues. There is often a criterion that a condition should not be expected
to occur as part of a person's usual culture or religion. Nevertheless,
the term "mental" is not necessarily used to imply a distinction
between mental (dys)functioning and brain (dys)functioning, or indeed
between the brain and the rest of the body.
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