What’s the difference?
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May be same…!!!
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Yeah sounds the same to me. Usually severity of mental illnesses is rated solely on functioning capability. Someone whose functioning is not or is only mildly impacted by their illness is known as having a mild case, someone whose functioning has a significant decline when ill is known as moderate, and someone who absolutely cannot function at all is generally known as severe.
I don’t necessarily agree with these classifications as I feel it can downplay the experience of someone who may be high functioning but still suffering a great deal. These individuals are far less likely to receive aid and services than those who are on the severe end of the spectrum.
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Yes that and the definition also applies to the law in cases where sanity Is s factor. I was told I had a serious mental illness, which is worse than “major” mental illness but in not sure if it’s as bad as a “severe” mental illness.
That is bizarre terminology. Usually I only hear the terms mild, moderate and severe used. Are you in the US?
Maybe they mean you have a serious case of major mental illness. Though again the wordplay here is starting to sound silly to me. I know very little about law or how it handles mental illness cases though so I’m not the best source for that.
If she had said serious and major in the same sentence I might have hid under the covers for months. That’s just overkill
Yes I’m in the US. The great state of New Jersey.
They don’t mince words in these parts I guess p
Hey I’m in NJ too! Anyways sorry I dunno what to say. Ask whoever your caseworker is to clarify I suppose.
That’s pretty funny. What are the chances of that?
What exit ? I don’t really have a case worker. I’ll ask my doc what she meant by that
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I think America uses the term serious mental illness whereas the UK uses the term severe mental illness .
http://www.odmhsas.org/eda/advancedquery/smi.htm US definition.
mentalillness.pdf (489.8 KB)
See page 90 onwards for some UK definitions of severe mental illness.
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Yea, neither of them sound good.
Severe sounds better with a British accent
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anna, i believe those with higher functioning get the best care and aid. that’s been my observation in my life. when i was severely ill with sz i was written off so to speak and no one would help me outside my mom and dad.
not even the pdoc who just reminded me constantly that i was ‘diseased.’ end of conversation.
\judy
Those who are higher functioning do have the capability of seeking out their own resources which does give a level of independence that the severely ill do not have. I’m very sorry you had that experience.
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I don’t know about the US but here in the UK you get more help and support if you are acutely rather than chronically ill,irrespective of how much your illness disables you.
thank you anna for your kind sentiment. for years and years that pdoc was my doctor and it was hell on earth.
I cannot forget or forgive it.
judy
The term “Severe Mental Illness” is typically used to refer to “The big three”. Schizophrenia, Bipolar, and Schizoaffective.
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