Madness by definition is a state of imbalance of the mind that usually manifests as a specific disorder. Although the definition of insanity has always been debated, this definition is broad enough to be accepted. A famous quote on the definition of insanity is: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” - Albert Einstein (brainyquote.com). This however is not correct. Insanity is not a different diagnosis than some people believe. It is primarily a legal term used in court to defend those who commit a crime and do not know that their actions were not socially acceptable. Madness has always existed and can affect anyone. Since 1581, insanity has been placed in the law code seeking to determine whether the accused can distinguish between good and evil. According to American law, over 2 million people are declared insane every year. Most cases where people claim to be crazy turn out to be false. To be declared insane in court you must take a mental test to prove you are insane, which is almost impossible to cheat on. Temporary insanity is also a popular defense in courtrooms, but "...the defense of temporary insanity has largely lost its status as a distinct - or even coherent - legal claim" (The Defense of Temporary Insanity is was used in only 2% of cases). criminal cases and where 75% of these cases failed. A famous case in which the defendant pleaded insane and was declared so was the case of John Hinckley Jr. John Hinckley Jr. shot President Reagan six times and one bullet hit Reagan was made to get the attention of an actress who he was obsessed with and who was in a movie where the president got shot. People can go crazy in many different ways. Schizophrenia can be... middle of paper.. ....minds are damaged. Works Cited “Types of Mental Illnesses.” WebMD.com, 2014. Web April 4, 2014. “The Numbers Matter: Mental Disorders in America.” MentalIllness, nd Web. 04 April 2014. numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml>. Covey, Russell D. "Temporary Madness: The Strange Life and Times of the Perfect Defense." Boston University Law. Review 91.5 (2011): 1597-1668. Elite academic research. Network. April 7, 2014. http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/definition-of-insanity.htmOpfer, Chris. “What is the definition of insanity?” March 12, 2013. HowStuffWorks.com.insanity.htm > April 07 2014.