part_of psychopathology
A mental disorder , also called a mental illness or psychiatric disorder , is a diagnosis by a mental ___MASK41___ professional of a behavioral or mental pattern that ___MASK49___ cause suffering or a poor ability to function in life . Such features ___MASK49___ be persistent , relapsing and remitting , or occur as a single episode . Many disorders have been described , with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders . The causes of mental disorders are often unclear . Theories ___MASK49___ incorporate findings from a range of fields . Mental disorders are usually defined by a combination of how a person behaves , feels , perceives , or thinks . This ___MASK49___ be associated with particular regions or functions of the brain , often in a social context . A mental disorder is one aspect of mental ___MASK41___ . Cultural and religious beliefs , as well as social norms , should be taken into account when making a diagnosis . Services are based in psychiatric hospitals or in the community , and assessments are carried out by psychiatrists , clinical psychologists , and clinical social workers , using various methods but often relying on observation and questioning . Treatments are provided by various mental ___MASK41___ professionals . Psychotherapy and psychiatric medication are two major treatment options . Other treatments include social interventions , peer support , and self - help . In a minority of cases there might be involuntary detention or treatment . Prevention programs have been shown to reduce depression . Common mental disorders include depression , which affects about 400 million , dementia which affects about 35 million , and schizophrenia , which affects about 21 million people globally . Stigma and discrimination can add to the suffering and disability associated with mental disorders , leading to various social movements attempting to increase understanding and challenge social exclusion . Nosology is a branch of ___MASK13___ that deals with ___MASK74___ of diseases . ___MASK13___ ( ___MASK61___ ; American English ) is the science and practice of the diagnosis , treatment , and prevention of disease . The word " medicine " is derived from Latin " medicus ", meaning " a physician ". ___MASK13___ encompasses a ___MASK20___ of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness . Contemporary medicine applies biomedical sciences , biomedical research , genetics , and medical technology to diagnose , treat , and prevent injury and disease , typically through pharmaceuticals or surgery , but also through therapies as diverse as psychotherapy , external splints and traction , medical devices , biologics , and ionizing radiation , amongst others . Mental ___MASK41___ is a level of psychological well - being , or an absence of mental illness . It is the " psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral adjustment ". From the perspective of positive ___MASK27___ or holism , mental ___MASK41___ may include an individual ' s ability to enjoy life , and create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience . Psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders , including efforts to understand their genetic , biological , psychological , and social causes ; effective ___MASK74___ schemes ( nosology ) ; course across all stages of development ; manifestations ; and treatment . The word psychopathology has a Greek origin : ' psyche ' means `` soul '' , ' pathos ' is defined as `` suffering '' , and ' - ology ' is `` the study of '' . Wholly , Psychopathology is defined as the origin of mental disorders , how they develop , and the symptoms they might produce in a person . Patients with mental disorders are customarily cared for by psychiatrists , or psychologists , doctors specialized in mental health who diagnose and treat patients through medication or psychotherapy . In such a way , psychiatric professionals treat persons with mental disorders through the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . A guideline of classified mental disorders used by psychiatrists to specify symptoms of particular disorders and diagnose potential patients . A ___MASK29___ is a particular abnormal condition , a disorder of a structure or function , that affects part or all of an ___MASK73___ . The study of ___MASK29___ is called pathology which includes the causal study of etiology . Disease is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs . It ___MASK49___ be caused by external factors such as pathogens , or it ___MASK49___ be caused by internal dysfunctions particularly of the immune system such as an immunodeficiency , or a hypersensitivity including allergies and autoimmunity .