In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that it recognised 450 million people suffering from psychological disorders. Moreover, the DSM-5, which is an authority for psychiatric diagnosis, describes over 400 psychological disorders, compared to 60 in the 1950’s.
A common basis for defining behaviour as abnormal is when people are fascinated by the exceptional and the unusual. This fascination may be caused by two reasons: 1) during moments when we feel, think and act like a normal individual; 2) psychological disorders may bring unexplained physical symptoms, irrational focus and suicidal thoughts.
There are many different categories of mental disorders, and many different facets of human behaviour and personality that can become disordered. Personality disorders are divided into four major categories:
1. Anxiety disorders are characterised by chronic edginess, worrisome thoughts and vigilance for signs of threats. It involves a feeling of apprehension about general or unrealized threats.
2. Mood disorders involve persons who suffer from major mood disorders and experience exaggerations of sadness and despair. Episodes are characterised by a depressed mood which is a helpless syndrome, lasting two weeks or more.
3. Schizophrenia, meaning “split mind” in literal translation, refers to a split from reality and is often characterised by disorganised and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions and inappropriate emotions and action.
4. Personality disorders, as the title implies, are characterised by inflexible and long-lasting behaviour patterns that impair social functioning. It involves a long-standing pervasive, rigid pattern of thoughts, feeling and behaviour that obstructs functioning and causes unhappiness for the person and usually the ones around them.
Finally, The Malta Health Association (MHA) in Malta, aims to support people with mental health problems, educate relatives and the general public to restrain ignorance and misinformation, and combat the existing stigma so as to make it easier for these people to integrate in society. One may become a member of this association by visiting the website: www.mhamalta.com
