Understanding mental health and mental illness: an introduction

Mental health and mental illness can be considered from several different perspectives, all of which can co-exist and inform treatment.

Because the word “illness” and a similar word, “disorder,” can be emotionally charged, I want to explain their meaning in this context.

Clinically, the terms “illness” or “disorder” often refer to conditions in psychiatry when a person’s day-to-day functioning is affected. This diagnostic criterion is an important way mental health clinicians differentiate illness from common human experiences.

Of course, there are gray areas. For example, some people with high anxiety may be able to perform well at work or in school, but still may have challenges building fulfilling relationships.

And certainly, though the death of an elder or financial difficulties can be considered “normal” human experiences, they are nevertheless exceedingly painful and lead to periods of disconnection from self and others.

So, words like “illness” and “disorder” may not always be straightforward, but we have to start somewhere.

Before deciding on treatment for a disorder to restore a person’s health, it is necessary to understand the different factors contributing to the development and perpetuation of that disorder.

For example, people can have biological vulnerabilities due to genetics or co-occurring medical illnesses. Conditions like ADHD, for example, have a strong genetic component.

Psychologically, people’s sense of self, internal experience of their own emotions, and patterns of connection in relationships can contribute to how they experience their illness on a day-to-day basis. For example, a person with depression may avoid taking a new leadership position at work because their sense of self may be as someone who is flawed and therefore not capable of being a leader.

Alternatively, others, given the same opportunity, may remember previous times they were able to be resilient in the face of challenging circumstances and take that as evidence of their own leadership qualities.

Socially, people may find stability through connections with friends, family, and community. Alternatively, they may experience stigma in their social circle that can further isolate them during their mental health journey.

These are only some parts of the complex and interwoven nature of the human experience.

As a psychiatrist trained to work with children, adolescents, and adults, with interests in medication management and therapy, I work to understand these different aspects of an individual’s being. I believe in combining these perspectives to help my patients understand themselves and their world, reduce their suffering, and build a life in line with their core values.