Although gender dysphoria is listed in the DSM IV as Gender Identity Disorder, most mental health practitioners do not consider transsexualism to be a mental illness per se. However, due to the discrimination and prejudice they face, many transsexuals do suffer from mental health issues secondary to their GID. Some of the most common are clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, depersonalization and substance abuse/dependence.

Chronic is defined as, "lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence" or "of long duration; continuing." Many, if not most, mental illnesses could be categorized as chronic in that the individual living with a certain mental illness will never "get over" that illness. But this is not to say that many symptoms of various mental illnesses cannot be largely alleviated through treatment.

The clinical (or medical) term used to describe those people who describe themselves (or self-determine) as transsexual. The term 'transsexualism' is a misnomer. The clinical term is more accurate as a person's self-perceived identity is emphasised.

Gender identity refers to how an individual sees themself socially, as a woman, man, neither or both. It has no relation to their physical characteristics, but rather to how they choose to live their lives. This categorization may be fluid, over time or social situations.

No. Both conditions are completely different and are supported or treated in the main by professionals who have different training and backgrounds.

GID is a psychological classification found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association. Although GID is the only diagnosis under which trans people may receive treatment, and therefore it is necessary, it also is controversial. Some psychotherapists GID has been used inappropriately and harmfully by to treat gender variant youth. Moreover, many if not most trans people also believe they do not have a mental disorder.

Benzodiazepines may be useful, in low doses, for patients with schizophrenia who are beginning to show signs of relapse and may help to avoid the necessity of major increases in neuroleptic medication. They may also be useful in treating mania.

Mental illness is a health problem that can change the way a person thinks, feels, makes decisions, deals with others, or copes with everyday life. Someone with a mental illness may experience a number of problems that may make it difficult for them to lead a normal life.

Yes. Mental illness can strike anyone, no matter what age, race, or economic status. That is why it is important for people to know that mental illness is common and help is easily available. People with mental illnesses are not alone.

Epilepsy is not a mental illness. It is a temporary change in the electrical function of an otherwise normal brain. Some people with mental illness also have seizures, and some people with seizures also have mental illness, but the two conditions are not the same.

Health care professionals have differing opinions on the effectiveness of medication to treat mental illness. There are treatment facilities like The San Joaquin Psychotherapy Center, www.breggin.com/sjpc.html, and Golden State Psychological Health Center in San Francisco, www.gsphc.net, that advocate for medication-free treatment for many mental health illnesses. Mental illness is a medical illness. A person does not simply "get over" mental illness without some form of treatment.

Scientists are still studying how people become mentally ill, so we do not know as much as we would like about how a person develops a mental disorder. There may be genetic causes or inherited vulnerabilities, prenatal care injuries or difficulties, exposure to toxins, or other unknown sources.

Conventional medical diagnosis recognises several kinds of psychiatric disorders relating to gender, such as ‘gender identity disorder’ ‘gender dysphoria’ and ‘transexualism’. However many gender variant people believe strongly that the right to choose one’s own destiny is not a pathology; but is instead the assign of a very mature, thoughtful and intelligent adult.

It is a person that believes they are physically trapped in a body of the opposite sex and may take steps to change this. It is also called Gender dysphoria which is the overall psychological term used to describe the feelings of pain, anguish, and anxiety that arise from the mismatch between a person's physical sex and gender identity.

No one knows exactly how sexual orientation and gender identity determined. However, experts agree that it is a complicated matter of genetics, biology, psychological and social factors. For most people, sexual orientation and gender identity are shaped at any early age. While research has not determined a cause, homosexuality and gender variance are not the result of any one factor like parenting or past experiences.

Menopause can be an emotionally challenging time in a woman's life. the "change of life" often invloves many personal, family and work related changes which can contribute to increased irritability, Losses, whether they are death, divorce, illness or an empty-nest as children leave home, may feel like depression. Professionals at NEOHS can provide evaluation and treatment for emotional issues surrounding menopause.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, state and local government activities, public accommodations, public transportation, telecommunications, and public services. It was signed into law by President George Bush on July 26, 1990. Find out more... The information available on and through the NAMITexas.

There are many different reasons someone may have a mental illness. Mental illness could be caused by something physical, such as an injury to your head or an infection that attacks your brain. It could also by caused by your surroundings, for example if you have experienced abuse or another extremely upsetting event. For many other people, mental illness is caused by their genes.

Absolutely. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, it is a highly treatable disorder. In fact, according to the National Advisory Mental Health Council, the treatment success rate for schizophrenia is comparable to the treatment success rate for heart disease. People who experience acute symptoms of schizophrenia may require intensive treatment, sometimes including hospitalization.

Millions of people suffer various types of mental dis-ease. The National Institutes of Mental Health classifies mood disorders; panic disorders; agoraphobia; anxiety disorders; asperger's (ASD's) eating disorders; ADHD; suicide; schizophrenia; social phobias; alsheimers' and autism all under the umbrella of mental disorders.

My big brother, Tom, has challenges beyond my understanding. He struggles with schizoaffective disorder. Although I've never looked up his "diagnosis" in the official record of mental illnesses, the DSM, I know he has problems. I know this by his fixations on seemingly benign things that happened 20 years ago. Or the threats he might make from time to time to family members who love him.

The first step is to talk to your doctor to see if there is an underlying physical cause for the symptoms. If none is found, your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist. Mental health professionals include psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers. Psychiatrists and other doctors may prescribe medications to treat mental illness. Most mental health providers have expertise in psychological and behavioral interventions.

Though medications can often aid in the treatment of mental illness, it is unlikely that taking medication as the sole form of treatment will be effective in "getting over" or stabilizing one's mental illness. Professionals generally recommend therapy along with medications to manage mental illness most effectively.

Mental illness can often disrupt a person's life by hindering that person's ability to focus on and complete tasks that they otherwise would be able to complete. Establishing a productive daily routine can help to normalize that person's daily life and having a routine most often contributes to increased life satisfaction that comes with personal accomplishment (in the human population as a whole, not just those living with mental illness).

Mental illness is a term that refers to all the different types of mental disorders, including disorders of thought, mood or behavior. To be classified as a mental illness, the condition must cause distress and result in a reduced ability to function psychologically, socially, occupationally or interpersonally.