Mental Illness Definition The condition that is said to exist when a person’s emotions thoughts, or behavior deviate substantially from what is considered to be normal at a certain time and place in history. In other words, the definition of mental illness depends on a society’s norms, or rules of behavior. Behaviors that violate these norms are considered signs of deviance or, in some cases, of mental illness. Criteria for Diagnosing Mental Illness …showed first 75 words of 938 total…

…showed last 75 words of 938 total…mental illnesses. He also established the categories of manic-depressive psychosis and dementia praecox now called schizophrenia. Kraepelin believed that the fundamental causes of mental illness lay in the physiology and biochemistry of the human brain. His classification system of mental disorders, first published in 1883, formed the basis for later diagnostic systems. "Mental Illness," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** "Mental Illness," Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 99. © 1993-1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.