Mental health consumers and other lay individuals often have questions about what exactly constitutes a serious mental illness. Some of these questions are answered below:
What is meant by the term "serious mental illness"?
This is a diagnosable, mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder of some duration that leads to a functional impairment and disability that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities, and is not solely substance abuse or a developmental disorder.
Are there specific disorders that are considered as serious mental illnesses?
Among adults, schizophrenia, major depression, other depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Also diagnoses of major affective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and psychotic disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified).
How many people suffer from serious mental illness in the US?
An estimated that 10 million people in the US general population have a serious mental illness, s almost 4% of the total population. Several million suffer from major depression. Schizophrenia affects an estimated 2.5 million or about 1% of the population. It is estimated that bipolar disorder affects 2 million. About 1 of every 5 families has a member who experiences an SMI.
What is level of disability caused by serious mental illness?
SMI is severely disabling. A 1996 World Health Organization (WHO) study found the disability caused by major depression to be equivalent to blindness or paraplegia and the active psychosis seen in schizophrenia as debilitating as quadriplegia.
What causes a serious mental illness?
Serious mental illnesses are disorders affecting the brain. Specific causes have yet to be found. It is assumed that multiple causal factors are at work. Individuals with such disorders may have imbalances in neurochemicals in the brain and/or changes in the structure of the brain. Most seem to emerge slowly and usually become evident in late adolescence or early adulthood.
How is an individual affected by a serious mental illness?
Intellectual or cognitive functioning may be partially affected or unaffected. Major symptoms may show themselves in distorted perceptions, extreme emotions and feelings, unusual thinking and thought patterns, impaired judgment and decision-making, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships and social responsibilities. The individual cannot overcome these effects without help and treatment. Sometimes hospitalization may be necessary.
What are some of the symptoms of serious mental illness?
Acute symptoms are distorted perception, break with reality, disorganized thinking, unstable emotions, bizarre behavior, and impaired judgment. Residual symptoms are poor coping, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, reduced emotional response, an inability to pay attention, phobia, over-dependency, poor learning transfer, and sensitivity to over-stimulation.
Can those with a serious mental illness have a co-occurring problem?
Approximately one-half of those with a serious mental illness have a co-occurring substance abuse problem. This is termed "dual diagnosis" and MICA (mentally ill chemically abusing). It is also possible to have a diagnosis of serious mental illness and mental retardation.
How do people react when they learn that they have a serious mental illness?
Individuals may respond with one or more of the following: denial or lack of acceptance, anger or striking out, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, or demoralization, guilt and self-blame, or withdrawal. Overall they react much like anyone who learns that they have a serious chronic and incurable illness. Stigma compounds the situation with any mental illness.
What kind of help do individuals with a serious mental illness need?
They need treatment planned around their personal needs. This should include education about the illness and treatment and involvement in care planning. There should be as much continuity and coordination as possible in regard to clinical staff and services. Transitions between levels of care and programs should be smooth. Ongoing support must be available and accessible.
Can serious mental illness be effectively treated?
Yes -- treatment of SMI is effective in as many as 60-80% of cases. Treatment for a serious mental illness can involve a combination of medications, supportive therapy and counseling, and social supports. Serious mental illness is not curable, but it is highly treatable and manageable.
Why is compliance sometimes a problem with serious mental illness?
Some individuals break off treatment when their symptoms are brought under control because they mistakenly think that they are cured. For other individuals the treatment is a reminder of the disease and noncompliance is flight from the disease. Many find treatment to be stigmatizing because it identifies them as mentally ill. Disparities in insurance coverage are also a problem.
What are some of the myths and misconceptions of SMI?
The major misconception is that SMI represents a character flaw or weakness in an individual. This is the basis for much of the stigma that SMI sufferers endure. Other prevalent myths are that talking about SMI makes it worst, and that if someone with SMI wants help they'll get it. Depression is the subject of many myths, most notably that teens don't suffer "real" depression.
Posted 10.10.01