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From the [[Middle Ages]] onward, people have been frightened or dismayed by the "crazy" behavior or speech of others. The idea of locking up mentally disordered people or placing them in [[asylum]]s goes back hundreds of years and has often been mentioned in literature. In Shakespeare's play, [[Hamlet]] appeared to be mentally ill; [[Ophelia]] became mentally ill and killed herself.  

From the [[Middle Ages]] onward, people have been frightened or dismayed by the "crazy" behavior or speech of others. The idea of locking up mentally disordered people or placing them in [[asylum]]s goes back hundreds of years and has often been mentioned in literature. In Shakespeare's play, [[Hamlet]] appeared to be mentally ill; [[Ophelia]] became mentally ill and killed herself.  

Various theories have been put forth to account for mental disorders. <ref>"The English-speaking world has not always used medical language to describe the behavior we now label as symptomatic of mental illness or mental disorder. Descriptions were sometimes framed in quite different terms, such as possession. What we now call mental illness was not always treated as a medical problem." [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mental-illness/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy], Christian Perring</ref>

Various theories have been put forth to account for mental disorders.<ref>"The English-speaking world has not always used medical language to describe the behavior we now label as symptomatic of mental illness or mental disorder. Descriptions were sometimes framed in quite different terms, such as possession. What we now call mental illness was not always treated as a medical problem." [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mental-illness/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy], Christian Perring</ref>

Religious ideas about mental illness have included [[demon]]ic possession, to be cured by [[exorcism]]. Psychological ideas run a wide gamut.  

Religious ideas about mental illness have included [[demon]]ic possession, to be cured by [[exorcism]]. Psychological ideas run a wide gamut.  

Many courts apply the M'Naghten Rules as to whether the defendant was, at the time of the index offense, capable of knowing that what he was doing was wrong.

Many courts apply the M'Naghten Rules as to whether the defendant was, at the time of the index offense, capable of knowing that what he was doing was wrong.

[[Liberal]] Senator [[Paul Wellstone]] was long in favor of spending money on mental illness coverage.  A bill passed by the [[House of Representatives]] in March 2008, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, would force insurers to cover mental illness at the same coverage level as physical ailments.  The bill was sponsored in the House by Republican [[Jim Ramstad]], a recovering [[alcoholism|alcoholic]], and Ted Kennedy's son [[Patrick Kennedy]] of [[Rhode Island]].  A similar bill in the [[United States Senate]] was sponsored [[liberal]] Democrat [[Ted Kennedy]], who has been addicted to painkillers; Pete Domenici of New Mexico; and Mike Enzi of Wyoming. <ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/16318346.html House approval is historic moment for Wellstone's addiction and treatment crusade]</ref>  The [[Family Research Council]] has expressed its concern that this bill would force businesses to provide health care for mental "conditions" like necrophilia, pedophilia, cross-dressing, and gender identity confusion.<ref>[http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU08C03 Family Research Council: March 6, 2008 Update]</ref>

[[Liberal]] Senator [[Paul Wellstone]] was long in favor of spending money on mental illness coverage.  A bill passed by the [[House of Representatives]] in March 2008, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, would force insurers to cover mental illness at the same coverage level as physical ailments.  The bill was sponsored in the House by Republican [[Jim Ramstad]], a recovering [[alcoholism|alcoholic]], and Ted Kennedy's son [[Patrick Kennedy]] of [[Rhode Island]].  A similar bill in the [[United States Senate]] was sponsored [[liberal]] Democrat [[Ted Kennedy]], who has been addicted to painkillers; Pete Domenici of New Mexico; and Mike Enzi of Wyoming.<ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/16318346.html House approval is historic moment for Wellstone's addiction and treatment crusade]</ref>  The [[Family Research Council]] has expressed its concern that this bill would force businesses to provide health care for mental "conditions" like necrophilia, pedophilia, cross-dressing, and gender identity confusion.<ref>[http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU08C03 Family Research Council: March 6, 2008 Update]</ref>

Even when a defendant is deemed sane, mental illness is sometimes used to justify a lesser sentence due to the defendant's [[diminished capacity]] which is said to render him less responsible for his crime. However, mental illness is also sometimes used to justify a harsher sentence if, for instance, a longer term of imprisonment is deemed necessary to protect the public from a defendant whose mental illness makes him more likely to commit crimes. A defendant found incompetent to stand trial can sometimes be confined to a mental hospital until such time as his competency is restored.

Even when a defendant is deemed sane, mental illness is sometimes used to justify a lesser sentence due to the defendant's [[diminished capacity]] which is said to render him less responsible for his crime. However, mental illness is also sometimes used to justify a harsher sentence if, for instance, a longer term of imprisonment is deemed necessary to protect the public from a defendant whose mental illness makes him more likely to commit crimes. A defendant found incompetent to stand trial can sometimes be confined to a mental hospital until such time as his competency is restored.

==Mental illness and the brain==

==Mental illness and the brain==

Scientists who adhere to a purely physical model of mental health regard mental illness as disorders of the brain.<ref>"Mental health disorders ... such as [[depression]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[schizophrenia]] and even [[borderline personality disorder]] are medical disorders of the brain."  [http://www.mental-health-today.com/index.htm Mental Health Today] </ref> Genetic studies of a large number of people with schizophrenia show links to more than 100 genes including several associated with the immune system.  Scientists believe that schizophrenia is linked to a genetic predisposition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/pinpointing-genetic-links-schizophrenia-may-open-doors-better-treatment/|title=Pinpointing genetic links to schizophrenia may open doors to better treatment|work=PBS Newshour|date=July 24, 2014|accessdate=July 25, 2014}}</ref>

Scientists who adhere to a purely physical model of mental health regard mental illness as disorders of the brain.<ref>"Mental health disorders ... such as [[depression]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[schizophrenia]] and even [[borderline personality disorder]] are medical disorders of the brain."  [http://www.mental-health-today.com/index.htm Mental Health Today]</ref> Genetic studies of a large number of people with schizophrenia show links to more than 100 genes including several associated with the immune system.  Scientists believe that schizophrenia is linked to a genetic predisposition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/pinpointing-genetic-links-schizophrenia-may-open-doors-better-treatment/|title=Pinpointing genetic links to schizophrenia may open doors to better treatment|work=PBS Newshour|date=July 24, 2014|accessdate=July 25, 2014}}</ref>

==Notes==

==Notes==