Sylvie Koefoed-Nielsen, Reporter
Mental illnesses tend to be swept under the rug.
They are not as obvious as a physical illness, like the flu, or a disease such as diabetes, so some people find them easy to ignore. If you can’t go to school, work, or a family event because you’re throwing up, people take you more seriously than if you can’t go because you’re having a depressive episode.
However, mental illness is a very serious, and very real topic. Suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death in the United States. To bring it a little closer to home, Seattle and surrounding areas have one of the highest suicide rates in the country.
The British Journal of Psychiatry states “There is no fundamental difference between so-called mental illnesses or disorders and physical illnesses or disorders; both are simply subsets of illness or disorder in general.”
The difference between a mental illness and a mental handicap is something people often confuse, but once it’s properly explained, it’s really quite simple.
Mental illnesses refer to mood disorders, whereas mental handicaps relate more to learning disorders.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers the following definition: “1. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. 2. Mental retardation refers to impairment in social adaptation.”
A mental illness is the same as a mental disorder. It refers to a wide range of mental health conditions, along with disorders that can affect your mood, thinking, and behavior. It results in negative effects on your work, relationships, hygiene, and socializing. Some examples are ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety.
A mental handicap, otherwise known as an intellectual disability, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability. It prevents one from learning and developing at the same rate of speed as others. A couple of examples are Down Syndrome, and Autism.
Christine Clancy, a therapist in Seattle, believes that the most common misconception on mental illnesses is that “people who are mentally ill are crazy, and that they should be avoided at all costs. I’ve always wanted to offer support and teach people how to manage.”
It’s important to understand these terms and use them correctly as an important step in helping those with mental disorders, raising awareness, and providing education.
It’s harder to speak out against something you when you actually know what it is, how it works, and what damage it can cause.