Mental illness is defined as a wide range of mental health conditions/disorders that affect mood, thinking and behavior. Illness can cause problems in daily life ( including work and relationships), and can be managed via counseling and/or medications. It is the leading cause of disability for individuals between the ages of 15-44 in the US and Canada; with 45% of those diagnosed fitting the criteria for at least 2 mental illnesses.
From time to time all people walking the earth have (or experience) mental health "concerns" and concerns differ from actual illness. Concerns occur from time-to time and do not truly affect a parson's life or livelihood. Illness has ongoing signs and the symptoms cause frequent stress and affect the ability for a person to function. Mental illness can form at any age and 1 in 4 adults have mental illness within a given calendar year. Approximately 50% of Americans develop a form of mental illness in their lifetime......yet people will rumor and ridicule about mental illness as if it is the resurgence of the black death. It is NOT. Approximately half of chronic mental disorders present themselves by the age of 14 and 3/4 by the age of 24 in Americans.
- schizophrenia
- bipolar disorder
- obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder
- post traumatic stress order (PTSD)
- borderline personality disorder
- major depression
Just as any other ailment that effects people, mental illness has symptoms (keep in mind that they may vary according to the disorder and individual circumstances as well as other factors); the [general] symptoms are as follows:
- feeling sad or down
- confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
- excessive fears or worries or extreme feelings of guilt
- extreme mood changes of highs and lows
- withdrawal from friends/activities
- significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
- detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
- inability to cope with daily problems or stress
- trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
- alcohol and/or drug abuse
- major changes in eating habits
- sex drive changes
- excessive anger, hostility or violence
- suicidal thinking
At times symptoms present themselves physically as:
- stomach pain
- back pain
- headaches
- unexplained aches and pains
Mental illness is widely believed to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Those factors are as follows:
- Inherited traits - Certain genes may increase a person's risk of developing a mutual illness.
- Environmental Exposures [Before Birth] - Exposures to viruses, toxins, alcohol, or drugs while in the womb can (sometimes) be linked.
- Brain Chemistry - Neurotransmitters (naturally occurring brain chemicals) play a role in SOME mental illness. In some cases, hormonal imbalances affect mental illness.
Risk factors for mental illness are as follows:
- having a biological relative (parent or sibling) with an illness
- experiences in the womb (the mother was exposed to viruses, toxins, drugs and alcohol)
- chronic medical condition (i.e. cancer)
- stressful life situations
- brain damage
- traumatic experiences
- illegal drug use
- being abused or neglected as a child
- having few friends or few healthy relationships
- previous mental illness
Adults living with mental illness tend to die [on average] 25 years earlier than other Americans. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death (which is higher than homicide) and is the 3rd leading cause of death in individuals 15-24 years old. More than 90% of those that commit suicide have MORE than one mental disorder. With that being said, did you know that about 60% of adults and almost 50% of 8-15 year olds with mental illness received NO services/treatments/etc a year previous to a formal treatment plan being followed. In other words, at any given time nearly half of our population roams about UNDIAGNOSED and UNTREATED. Lack of diagnosis and treatment costs the nation more than $100 billion per year and comes with the following complications:
- unhappiness and decreased enjoyment in life
- weakened immune system
- family conflicts
- relationship difficulties
- social isolation
- problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
- missed work/school or other related problems
- poverty/homelessness
- self-harm and harm to others (including suicide and homicide)
- increased risk of motor vehicle accidents
- heart disease
This does NOT mean that you should take the information above and attempt to diagnose those in your life......nor does it mean that you should perpetuate the stigma that has been place upon mental illness. It means that you should look within.....get tested or lend a caring ear and welcoming shoulder to those that may suffer from the plethora of mental illnesses.
Don't think that you know someone by blood relation, work or friendship? Think about the following:
- Approximately:
- 2.4 million people live with schizophrenia
- 6.1 million people live with bipolar disorder
- 14.8 million people live with major depression
- 42 million people live with anxiety disorders
- 9.2 million people live with co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders
Mental illness does NOT affect people according to social class, upbringing, educational level, religion or creed. It is NOT something that you can "just get over" or combat via "will power". Mental illness says NOTHING about a person's "character". Mental illness is no different than an other than any other ailment such as diabetes or high blood pressure. There is NO reason to feel ashamed for a diagnosis or for seeking treatment. One is not ashamed of having heart disease. One is not ashamed of blindness. One should not be ashamed of being one of several millions of people that are battling right along side of you.
Resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800.273.TALK(8255)
- Active Minds - Email Non profit dedicated to using student voices to raise awareness
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - 202.966.7300
- American Psychiatric Association (APA) - 888.35.PSYCH(77924)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association - 855.863.APNA(2762)
- Mental Health America - 800.969.6642
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - 800.950.6264
- Mental Health America (MHA)
- SAMSHA
- US Department of Veteran's Affairs
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