Mental health has turned into a big talking point in the U.S. in recent yearsand for a good reason! Studies have shown that about 20% of Americans are suffering from mental health issues these days.
If you suspect that you might be dealing with some kind of mental health problem at the moment, you shouldn’t be afraid to discuss it with your doctor. They can help you get to the bottom of it in no time.
They can also speak with you at length about the differences between mental illness vs mental disorder. These two terms are often used interchangeably by a lot of people. But there are some key differences between mental illness vs disorder.
Would you like to start learning about the differences between mental health and mental illness? Continue reading to find out more about mental disorder vs mental illness.
What Is a Mental Disorder?
The term “mental disorder” has been around for a lot longer than the term “mental illness.” It’s actually a little bit outdated at this point and isn’t used as often as it once was.
But generally speaking, a mental disorder is any disorder that is believed to disrupt a person’s mental health. Things like personality disorders and eating disorders are usually referred to as mental disorders.
Once upon a time, doctors thought that mental disorders only affected a person’s mind and not their actual brain. But in this day and age, doctors now know that most mental disorders can affect the makeup of the brain itself.
In fact, they think that many mental disorders stem from issues that exist within a person’s brain and cause them to feel or behave in a certain way.
What Is a Mental Illness?
For years, most of the people who experienced mental health issues were said to have mental disorders. The term “mental illness” wasn’t used very much when it came to mental health problems.
But over the last 25 years or so, the term “mental illness” has been used more and more to describe mental health issues. Mental illnesses are any health conditions that cause changes in the way that a person thinks, feels, or acts.
Unlike mental disorders, which originate in a person’s brain and aren’t always connected to what’s happening around them, mental illnesses are often associated with external factors. Things like stress and relationships can cause mental illnesses to flare up in people, including those who might not usually be susceptible to mental disorders.
Many different mental illnesses have been identified, diagnosed, and treated over time. They include examples like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
That being said, there is still a lot of confusion when it comes to mental illness vs mental disorder because, as is the case with OCD, you’ll find the word “disorder” on the end of many mental illnesses. It’s why so many people still use the terms “mental disorder” and “mental illness” interchangeably.
Why You Should Get Help for a Mental Disorder or Illness
You need to know the differences between mental disorder vs illness. But it’s even more important for you to understand why you should look to get help if you ever think you might have one or the other.
There are so many reasons why getting help is a good idea. Even though there has traditionally been a stigma surrounding mental health, you shouldn’t let it stop you from seeking help when you need it.
There are some mental disorders and illnesses that can cause people to act irrationally at times and make bad decisions. Others can put them in a position where they might hurt themselves or others.
Many mental disorders and illnesses can also get worse over time if left untreated. They can make people say, do, and think things that are entirely out of character.
For all these reasons, you should try to get the help you need when managing the symptoms of a mental disorder or illness. You can make your life so much better by finding support for your mental health issues.
Where You Can Get Help for a Mental Disorder or Illness
Now that you know more about mental disorder vs mental illness, would you like to get help with one or the other?
It used to be hard to find relief thanks to the mental health stigma that existed. People were ashamed to talk to their family members and friends about mental health problems they were having, so they never got around to getting assistance with them.
But nowadays, it has never been easier to find help for a mental disorder or illness. You can find a therapist or a counselor in your area by conducting a simple Google search.
Many treatment centers now offer mental health services to those who need them. Studies have shown a definitive connection between mental health issues and substance abuse disorders. It has led to an uptick in the number of treatment centers offering mental health help.
Whatever you do, don’t feel like you can’t get help for a mental health issue. You can find the help you need for any mental disorder or illness that might have a hold on you right now.
Make Sure You Understand the Difference Between Mental Illness vs Mental Disorder
It’s easy for those who don’t suffer from mental health issues to look at someone who has a mental disorder or illness and say, “Why don’t you get help?” But it can be difficult for those who are in the thick of things to reach out for help when they need it.
Getting a good understanding of mental illness vs mental disorder is an excellent place to start when you’re thinking about trying to get help for yourself. It’ll force you to think about the problems you’ve been having so that you can communicate them clearly to a professional.
Learn more about mental health by browsing through the informative articles on our blog.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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