Mental Illness vs Mental Disorder: Difference and Comparison

Mental Illness and Mental Disorders are connected to the brain, mind, and body. Mental Illness occurs as a result of poor health, disease, and mind.

A mental Disorder happens when there is any disturbance in the body, brain, and mind that leads to confusion or disarray of the body and mind.

Key Takeaways

  1. Mental Illness is a medical condition that affects a person’s thinking, mood, or behavior and requires medical treatment. In contrast, Mental Disorder is a broader term that includes all mental health conditions.
  2. Mental Illness can be caused by genetics, environment, or a combination of both, whereas Mental Disorder can have various causes, including genetics, environmental factors, and life experiences.
  3. Mental Illness can be treated through therapy, medication, or a combination of both, whereas treatment for Mental Disorder may vary depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Mental Illness vs Mental Disorder

Mental illness is a general term used to describe a group of illnesses that affect the thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and behaviors of a person, their body, and their brain. Mental disorder is a clinically significant disturbance of the mind, brain, and body of a person, leading to disarray and confusion.

Mental Illness Vs Mental Disorder

Mental illness is a poor health condition that is caused as a result of a disease of the body or mind.

There is over 300 mental illness categorized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which helps in identifying and diagnosing Mental Illness.

Mental Illness needs to be treated in an appropriate manner, starting with proper consultation with a professional healthcare advisor.

Mental Disorder is categorized under various disorders, such as Anxiety Disorder, Mood Disorder, Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Substance Abuse Disorder, and Trauma-related disorder.

Mental Disorder has become very common in the present world, where it has various treatments associated with them that can be cured with ease.

Comparison Table

Parameters Of ComparisonMental IllnessMental Disorder
DefinitionMental Illness is a health issue that affects a person’s thinking ability, mind, body, and brain. A mental Disorder is a state in which there is an observed disturbance in the mind, body, and brain that leads to confusion or disarray.
TypesThere are over 300 mental illnesses listed and categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Various types of Mental Disorders are Anxiety disorder, Eating disorder, Mood disorder, Personality disorder, Psychotic disorder, and Trauma-related disorder.
SymptomsVarious symptoms of Mental Illness are social withdrawal, irritability, long-lasting depression, loneliness, frequent mood swings, and excessive paranoia. Various symptoms of Mental Disorder are frequent changes in interests, feelings, and choices, changes in sleeping habits, appetite and change in weight, uncontrollable emotions, and behavioral help-seeking.
DiagnosisIt has been specified that the only way to treat a mental illness is through a change in environment and treatments resulting in peace of mind. Various mental disorders can be diagnosed using the International Classification of Disease System, which specifies various treatments for specified disorders.
CausesMental illness can be caused due to genetics, changes in the environment, childhood trauma, stressful events, work-life, and negative thoughts.Mental disorders can be due to chemical imbalances in the brain, traumatic brain injury, the mother’s exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy, genes, and family history.

What is Mental Illness?

Mental Illness is a situation where a person’s behavior, thoughts, and actions are affected. It can be cured with both medication and change in the environment that causes peace of mind and soul.

Mental illness can be diagnosed through standard procedures and measures. Various types of Mental Illnesses are caused due to genetic, family, and surrounding environmental and social situations.

Mental Illness affects the brain, body, and mind. Almost 300 types of mental illnesses are categorized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness, which specifies the illnesses and their diagnostic procedures and treatments accordingly.

It has various symptoms and causes that lead to Mental Illness and diagnostic methods that work with it.

Mental Illness has various symptoms such as social withdrawal that specifies loneliness and irritability, long-lasting depression, frequent mood swings that lead to depression and bad relationships in both professional and personal environments, and excessive paranoia.

Seeking professional health would always be the best option for Treating Mental Illness.

Mental Illness has various causes, such as childhood trauma, changes in the pattern of sleep, bad work-life balance, stressful life, negative thoughts, and loneliness.

The treatment for diagnosing Mental Illness would include a change in the environment and regular intake of medication, both physically and mentally.

mental illness

What is Mental Disorder?

A mental Disorder is a state in which there is an observed disturbance with the mind, body, and brain. It leads to an unstable mind and disarray.

There are various types of Mental Disorders, such as Anxiety Disorder, Mood Disorder, Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, and Trauma-related disorder.

Mental Disorders can be cured and diagnosed using various measures and treatments that are meant to be done for the specified Disorder.

But the one that helps in creating peace of mind, body, and brain would be changed in the environmental situation and condition from that which leads to the Mental Disorder.

Mental Disorders have various symptoms like frequent changes in interest, feelings, and choices, change in the pattern of sleeping affecting both body and mind, frequent change in appetite and weight, uncontrollable emotions, emotional imbalance, and behavioral help-seeking.

Mental Disorders have various methods of treatment as well.

Mental Disorders are due to the chemical reactions in the brain that causes the change in emotions and behavior, also due to traumatic brain damage or injury, the mother’s exposure to toxic cosmetics during pregnancy, and other reasons might be the family history and genetic disorder as that may also lead to various types of Mental Disorders.

mental disorder

Main Differences Between Mental Illness And Mental Disorder

  1. Mental Illness is a health issue that affects thinking ability, decision-making, emotional balance, body, and brain. Whereas Mental Disorder is the disturbance caused to the body, mind, and soul.
  2. Mental Illness has various types, which are around 300 types categorized under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, whereas Mental Disorders have various types, such as Anxiety Disorder. Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, and Mood Disorder.
  3. Mental Illness has various types of symptoms, such as long-lasting depression, social media withdrawal, loneliness, and mood swings. Whereas Mental Disorder has various types of symptoms such as frequent changes in emotions, sleeping habits, mood swings, and depression.
  4. Mental Illness is caused due to childhood trauma, change in environment, and stressful events. Whereas Mental Disorder is caused due to exposure to toxic chemicals during pregnancy, brain injury, and a genetic disorder.
  5. Mental Illness can be diagnosed by various kinds of treatments and changes in the environment. Whereas Mental Disorders can be diagnosed by various procedures mentioned in the disease manual system.
Difference Between Mental Illness And Mental Disorder
References
  1. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1961-01456-001
  2. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1955-07136-000

Last Updated : 11 June, 2023

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14 thoughts on “Mental Illness vs Mental Disorder: Difference and Comparison”

  1. Mental Illness and Mental Disorders are closely linked to each other but are distinct medical conditions. Mental Illness is generally related to health and requires medical treatment. In contrast, Mental Disorder is a broader term with various causes and treatments.

    Reply
    • The comparison table is very insightful in understanding the differences between mental illness and mental disorders and their diagnosis and treatment.

      Reply
    • I agree, mental health and treatment for mental illness and mental disorders are critical in understanding the mind, brain, and body.

      Reply
  2. The categorization of over 300 mental illnesses and various types of mental disorders provides valuable insight into the complexity of mental health conditions.

    Reply
  3. It is intriguing to know that Mental Illness is a health issue that affects a person’s thinking ability, whereas Mental Disorder is primarily a state of observed disturbance in the mind, body, and brain.

    Reply
  4. Understanding the symptoms and causes of mental disorders is crucial in addressing these conditions and providing effective treatments to those affected.

    Reply
    • I couldn’t agree more, mental disorders require comprehensive and tailored treatments to address the specific needs of individuals.

      Reply
  5. Mental Illness can be caused by various factors such as genetics, environment, or a combination of both. It is essential to seek professional healthcare advice for the treatment of mental illness.

    Reply
  6. Both mental illness and mental disorders have distinct characteristics and treatment approaches that are essential for achieving comprehensive mental health care.

    Reply
    • Absolutely, the comparison table effectively outlines the differences between mental illness and mental disorders, aiding in our understanding of their complexities.

      Reply
  7. The symptoms and causes of mental illness and mental disorders are diverse and require careful consideration for appropriate treatment and management.

    Reply
  8. Mental Disorder encompasses various types of disorders, such as Anxiety Disorder, Mood Disorder, Eating Disorder, Personality Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, and Trauma-related disorder. It is essential to understand the distinction between mental illnesses and mental disorders.

    Reply
    • Indeed, the categorization of mental disorders is crucial in understanding the specific treatments associated with each type of disorder.

      Reply

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