What’s the difference between mental illness and insanity?
Author:
Dr. Mark Dombeck, Ph.D.
Reviewer:
Dr. Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
Question
What is the difference between mental illness and insanity?
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Answer
If there is a difference at all, it is one of scope. Mental illness is usually a broader and more inclusive term than Insanity. Insanity is usually reserved for describing severe conditions involving psychotic-like breaks with reality, while Mental Illness can include both severe and milder forms of mental problems (such as anxiety disorders and mild depressions).
Medical Reviewer: