The term serious mental illness (defined federally by the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]) is used to describe:
The term serious emotional disturbance is used to describe conditions experienced by children and adolescents whose symptoms meet criteria as specified in the DSM-5, ICD9-CM (or subsequent versions), or the DC:0-3R (multiaxial diagnostic system for infants and young children).
- conditions experienced by adults, aged 18 and older, who currently or in the past year have experienced a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder sufficient to meet diagnostic criteria as specified within Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) or their ICD-9-CM equivalent (and subsequent revisions)
- symptoms of psychological distress which also result in functional impairment (i.e., the ability to pursue one’s hopes and dreams, or take care of tasks of daily living).
The term serious emotional disturbance is used to describe conditions experienced by children and adolescents whose symptoms meet criteria as specified in the DSM-5, ICD9-CM (or subsequent versions), or the DC:0-3R (multiaxial diagnostic system for infants and young children).
