|
Education
What Is Mental Illness?
Serious and persistent mental illnesses are biochemically-based
brain disorders that can affect a person's ability to think,
feel and relate to other people and his or her surroundings.
For adults, serious mental illnesses include schizophrenia,
major depression, bipolar disorder, and panic disorder. (See
below definitions.) Children can be affected by the same
brain disorders as adults, as well as by such childhood brain
disorders as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism,
pervasive developmental disorder, and Tourette's syndrome.
Mental illness is more common than cancer, diabetes, heart
disease or arthritis; yet remains the most misunderstood of
all illnesses.
The good news is that mental illnesses are treatable, because
of great advances in research that have been made in
medications and treatments over the last decade. The challenge
is to make these new discoveries available to all who need
them.
|
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic brain disorder that
affects approximately two million Americans. Schizophrenia
impairs a person's ability to think clearly, manage his or
her emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. People
with schizophrenia suffer terrifying symptoms that often
make them fearful and withdrawn. However, this illness is
highly treatable, and new discoveries and treatments are
continually improving the outlook for people with this
disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a brain disorder
involving episodes of mania and depression. It affects
more than two million American adults. Effective
treatments are available that greatly reduce the symptoms
of bipolar disorder and allow people to lead normal and
productive lives.
Major Depression
Depressive disorders are serious illnesses that affect a
person's mood, concentration, sleep, activity, appetite,
social behavior, and feelings. Depressive disorders come
in different forms, the most common being major depression
(unipolar depression). Major depression, the leading cause
of disability in the U.S., affects over 9 million adults in
a given year. Despite the disabling effects of depression,
it is highly treatable.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Obsessions are intrusive, irrational thoughts. Compulsions
are repetitive rituals. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
occurs when an individual experiences obsessions and
compulsions for more than an hour each day, in a way that
interferes with his or her life. OCD can be treated with
medicine and behavior therapy.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of mental health
disorders and substance abuse disorders (alcohol and/or
drug dependence or abuse). There are many combinations of
these dual/multiple disorders.
Panic Disorder
A panic attack is an uncontrollable panic response to
ordinary, nonthreatening situations. A person who
experiences four or more panic attacks in a four week
period is said to have panic disorder.
|
|
