Mental Health Conditions & Developmental Disabilities

This brief, informational document presents an explanation of the differences between mental health conditions, also known as mental illnesses, and developmental disabilities.  The document defines the two: a mental health condition can affect mood, thinking, and/or behavior; and a developmental disability is a physical and/or mental impairment that begins before age 22, is likely to continue indefinitely, and results in functional limitations in either one or several abilities such as self-care, walking/moving around, self-direction, independent living, economic self-sufficiency, or language. The document provides the various categories of mental health conditions and developmental disabilities; it highlights common characteristics and behaviors that may be observed with each, and emphasizes the differences between the conditions and how treatment varies depending on a person’s affliction.