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Glossary of Terms

Mental health condition / Mental health challenge

General public definition

  • Mental health condition, or mental health challenge, is currently not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
  • A mental health condition refers to any state of poor mental health or mental illness.
  • This term can be used to describe normal reactions to everyday stressors as well as mental disorders.
  • Some people use the term mental health challenge instead of mental health condition to try to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

Academic definition

  • Mental health condition, or mental health challenge, is currently not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR or ICD-11.
  • This is a broad term that includes mental disorders, mental illness, and undiagnosed symptoms that might be explained by a diagnosis of a mental disorder. Mental health conditions often are caused by mechanisms other than exposures to one or more potentially psychologically traumatic events. Examples include major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia.
  • Mental health conditions may also include states of poor mental health that do not meet DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder, for example, culturally consistent responses to common stressors.
  • Some people prefer to use the term “mental health challenge” rather than “mental health condition” in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.

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