Distinguish between mental illness and mental retardation

Mental illness is a disease caused by disorders of brain activity causing abnormal changes in speech, consciousness, behavior, emotions, behavior, ... affecting daily life. Typical psychiatric illnesses are common such as depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behavior.
Mental illness can appear suddenly or gradually over many months. People with mental illness will have abnormal expressions in words, actions, and personality compared to normal people, but they are often not aware of their own abnormality. Mentally ill patients will have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living and impairment at work.

Mental retardation is a neurodevelopmental disorder, associated with functional disorders such as reduced cognitive ability, language expression, attention, memory as well as problem solving in life and loss of social interaction.
Mental retardation are neurological problems that appear early in childhood, typically before school, that impair personal development and social relationships. Mental retardation is characterized by a marked reduction in intellectual functioning (usually an IQ below 70 -75) combined with limitations in at least 3 of the following: self-direction, self-care self-care, communication skills, skills to create and maintain social relationships, maintain personal safety, and use communication resources.
Disorders associated with mental retardation are common such as ADHD , autism and learning disorders such as dyslexia .

Although clinical manifestations have many similarities such as cognitive impairment, behavioral abnormalities, language difficulties, reduced personal development, reduced efficiency in learning, working as well as in social interactions festival. However, the nature of mental illness and mental retardation are completely different.
Characteristics to identify mental illness are as follows:
Intelligence: normal or very intelligent Cause: psychological trauma from work, family life, society; central nervous system dysfunction such as senile psychosis, genetic diseases; or organic encephalopathy due to brain trauma, traumatic brain injury, infectious diseases of the brain such as encephalitis. Learning ability is reduced due to abnormal behavior Diagnose mental illness based on clinical symptoms Always use medication to treat illness Improve ability to study and work with drug treatment, occupational therapy, psychological treatment and counseling. The characteristics to identify mental retardation are as follows:
Intelligence: reduced or underdeveloped Cause: due to brain damage before birth such as congenital infection (rubella disease, CMV disease, Toxoplasma disease) ,...), chromosomal abnormalities and inherited metabolic disorders, exposure to drugs and toxins. Causes of brain injury during delivery include preterm birth, perinatal asphyxia, intracerebral hemorrhage, forcep delivery, multiple pregnancy, placenta previa and preeclampsia. Causes of brain damage after birth such as malnutrition, encephalitis, meningitis, lead and mercury poisoning. Reduced learning ability due to mental retardation Diagnosis of mental retardation is based on clinical manifestations, assessment of development and intelligence through screening tests, neuroimaging assessment CNS and genetic tests. There is no medicine to treat the disease. Supportive treatment and family counseling are key; multi-disciplinary cooperation such as paediatrics, neurology, physical therapy, speech therapy, nutrition... Improve the ability to study and work by special education methods, inclusive education Mental retardation and mental retardation are both diseases affecting cognitive ability and behavior, reducing quality of life. Depending on the cause, there are appropriate treatments. Therefore, when there are signs of neurological diseases, patients should soon go to medical centers for examination and treatment.
Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for examination, treatment and prevention of diseases, including Neurology. When performing the examination process at Vinmec, customers will be welcomed and used modern facilities and equipment along with perfect medical services under the guidance and advice of experts. Good doctors, well-trained both at home and abroad.