What is the difference between normal mental health and mental disorders? Sometimes the answer is clear, but often the difference is not very clear. For example, if you are afraid of giving speeches in public, does that mean you have a mental health disorder or a run-of-al-mill nerve case? Or, when shame becomes a case of social phobia?
Mental health is the overall health of the way you think, regulate feelings and behave. Sometimes people experience significant disorders in this mental function. Mental disorders may exist when patterns or changes in thinking, feelings or behaving causes distress or interfere with a person’s ability to function. Mental health problems can affect how well you are:
Maintain personal or family relationships
Functions in social arrangements
Appear at work or school
Learn at the expected level for your age and intelligence
Participate in other important activities
Cultural norms and social expectations also play a role in defining mental health problems. There is no cross -cultural standard measure to determine whether a normal behavior or when it becomes disturbing. What might be normal in one society might be the cause of other concerns.
Diagnostic Manual and Statistics Mental Disorders (DSM) are guidelines published by the American Psychiatric Association that explain signs and symptoms of several hundred mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and schizophrenia.
DSM provides criteria for making a diagnosis based on the nature, duration and impact of signs and symptoms. It also describes the typical path of disturbances, risk factors and common conditions.
Another diagnostic guideline commonly used is the Classification of International Diseases (ICD) from World Health Organizations.
Health insurance companies use DSM and ICD diagnostic coding systems in determining coverage and benefits and to replace mental health professionals.
How do mental health professionals diagnose disorders?
The diagnosis of mental health conditions can be done by psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers or other mental health professionals. Your primary care doctor can also be involved in diagnostic assessment or reference to a mental health specialist.
Diagnosis may be based on the following:
Medical history of physical diseases or mental health problems in you or in your family
Physical complete to identify or override conditions that might cause symptoms
Questions about your current problem or why you are looking for help
Questions about how new events or changes in your life – trauma, relationships, work, death of friends or relatives – have influenced the way of thinking, feeling or behaving
Another formal questionnaire or test that asks for your feedback about how you think, feel or behave in a distinctive situation
Questions about the use of alcohol and drugs in the past and present
History of trauma, harassment, family crisis or other major life events
Questions about past or present thinking about violence against yourself or others
Questionnaires or interviews that are filled out by someone who knows you well, such as parents or partners
When is the evaluation or care is needed?
Every mental health condition has its own signs and symptoms. However, in general, professional assistance may be needed if you experience: