Mental illness is any disease or condition that influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others and to his or her surroundings. Although the symptoms of mental illness can range from mild to severe and are different depending on the type of mental illness, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to cope with life's daily routines and demands.
What Causes Mental Illness?
Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors -- not personal weakness or a character defect -- and recovery from a mental illness is not simply a matter of will and self-discipline.
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Can Mental Illness Be Prevented?
Unfortunately, most mental illnesses are caused by a combination of factors and cannot be prevented.
How Common Is Mental Illness?
Mental illnesses are very common. In fact, they are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 25% of American adults (those ages 18 and older) and about 13% of American children (those ages 8 to 15) are diagnosed with a mental disorder during a given year.
Major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are among the U.S.'s top 10 leading causes of disability.
Mental illness does not discriminate. It can affect people of any age, income or educational level, and cultural background. Although mental illness affects both males and females, certain conditions -- such as eating disorders -- tend to occur more often in females, and other disorders -- such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- more commonly occur in children.
How Is Mental Illness Treated?
A mental illness, like many chronic illnesses, requires ongoing treatment. Fortunately, much progress has been made in the last two decades in treating mental illnesses. As a result, many mental conditions can be effectively treated with one or a combination of the following therapies:
Other treatments available include:
© 2005-2015 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Source article on WebMD
Can Mental Illness Be Prevented?
Unfortunately, most mental illnesses are caused by a combination of factors and cannot be prevented.
How Common Is Mental Illness?
Mental illnesses are very common. In fact, they are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 25% of American adults (those ages 18 and older) and about 13% of American children (those ages 8 to 15) are diagnosed with a mental disorder during a given year.
Major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are among the U.S.'s top 10 leading causes of disability.
Mental illness does not discriminate. It can affect people of any age, income or educational level, and cultural background. Although mental illness affects both males and females, certain conditions -- such as eating disorders -- tend to occur more often in females, and other disorders -- such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- more commonly occur in children.
How Is Mental Illness Treated?
A mental illness, like many chronic illnesses, requires ongoing treatment. Fortunately, much progress has been made in the last two decades in treating mental illnesses. As a result, many mental conditions can be effectively treated with one or a combination of the following therapies:
Other treatments available include:
© 2005-2015 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Source article on WebMD
Source: http://www.rxlist.com
Other treatments available include:
Source: http://www.rxlist.com
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