Neurological disorders affect the nervous system: central, autonomous, or peripheral. A neurological disorder causes paralysis of any part of the body due to a disease or injury afflicting the central nervous system. Physical injury to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves can lead to neurological disorders. Mental illnesses are believed to be neurological disorders of the central nervous system but their classification and treatment is different from those of neurological disorders. Apart from physical injury to the central nervous system, inherited genetic abnormalities, problems in the immune system, or diabetes can lead to a neurological disorder.

Ranging from the common headache to stupor, coma, dementia, seizure, sleep disorders, trauma, infections, spinal cord disorders, and disorders of peripheral nerves are the most common types of neurological disorders. Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), and Epilepsy are two of the most prevalent neurological disabilities. Heart attacks, infections, genetic disorders, and lack of oxygen to the brain may also result in a neurological disability.

Classifying, diagnosing, and treating neurological disorders is the preserve of psychiatrists. A variety of clinical instruments in addition to family support are often the weapons in the fight against neurological disabilities. Early recognition and optimal utilization of the intellectual capacities of the individual by can help a patient recover at great speed.

Studies have revealed the positive correlation between neurological disorders and psychotropic substance abuse. Addiction to alcohol, opium, heroin, cannabis, sedatives and hypnotics, cocaine, hallucinogens, and tobacco is a world-wide phenomenon being tackled by governments on a global scale. Tobacco and alcohol are the twin evils that are the most widely abused across the globe and which pose the most serious public health consequences.