People often use the terms mental health and mental illness interchangeably, but just as with any other medical condition, you are healthy or you are ill. It is a serious mistake to call it a mental health issue when someone has a mental illness. They are sick. It is real, and because people do not understand the difference, it can interfere with proper treatment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mental illness and mental health are related psychological states that fall along a spectrum. Mental illness is defined as having health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof), are associated with distress and/or impair daily functioning. Mental health is a state of well-being. The individual can cope with the normal stress of life, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Someone who is experiencing a mental illness is not in good mental health.
If you have a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life, you may well have a mental illness. You are not alone. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, at least one in five people have a diagnosable mental illness in a given year. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that serious psychological distress, such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder affected 24 million adults over the age of 18 in 2007. The CDC estimates that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, trailing only ischemic heart disease.
The good news is that treatments for mental illnesses are highly effective. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that with adequate treatment, 70 – 90 percent of seriously mentally ill individuals will have a significant reduction in symptoms and a greatly improved quality of life if they seek professional care.
The bad news is that according to the National Institute of Mental Health, barely more than half the people in need of treatment ever get it. The reasons are manifold: The affected person is weak, has a character flaw, or is not trying hard enough; mental illness is not real; seeking treatment means giving in. None of these are accurate and in fact could be harmful.
October 7 – 13 is Mental Illness Awareness Week, established in 1990 to raise awareness of the importance of treating people with mental illness. Make no mistake: Mental illness is a medical illness. It does not discriminate, affecting all ages, race groups, genders and economic situations. Mental illness crosses the swath of society.
More information on mental illness can be found on the National Alliance for Mental Illnesswebsite.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness, seek professional treatment. Great strides have been made. Have hope. With proper treatment, changes to your life or that of a loved one can be made. It is possible to lead a productive, happy life.
Janet Isdaner, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Director of Social Work & Transitional Living Programs
Silver Hill Hospital
We look forward to your comments on this and all Silver Hill Hospital posts.
Silver Hill Hospital’s blog is intended only to provide information; it is not intended to provide diagnosis or treatment. If this is an emergency, please call 911.
I have noticed that society and especially this town and around here (NO disrespect, just an observation) tend to go w/the tough love route. this is WRONG. People who are depressed need TLC Love and understanding. NOT a kick in the pants like people do to me at times...most times. GLEN
The ease that comes with familiarity [of those who are mentally ill] is something that each of us can work on. It is often very clear when someone is depressed or has a thinking problem. It is often very clear that someone has trouble behaving in socially conventional way, evidently because of some form of illness. In these situations we tend to avoid interacting with someone who, after all, may seem strange and perhaps frightening. But think of this: Inside that strange being is a person – a person who is more like you than different from you, with hopes and fears similar to yours, who may be struggling but who is also aware of being shunned, a person with his or her own humanity. If you know the person you might try saying hello, or smiling or acknowledging him or her in some way. You might ask how they are doing. You might, in other words, treat them as a person. With some simple generosity of spirit on your part you may soon have this unexpected benefit -- that mental illness doesn't seem so frightening anymore. With the comfort that comes with familiarity you may be helping yourself as well as someone else and may be contributing your small part to diminishing the stigma and fear still associated with mental illness.
Not to mention there's 50 million Americans with no health insurance who can't afford to see a professional...
Pat: Not trying hard enough>?? I have to politely critique that. If a person is ill as I am they have no energy to fight this. It is NOT their/my fault we are emotionally ill. They system NEEDS to step in and help us. But, they do NOT Peggy and Alex: I see both points. I think it can be overwhelming. It can be treatable. I agree Peggy. Most people who are depressed like I am have real life issues that need to be solved FOR them. Moreover, lack of love, attention and affection and deeply scar a person. I would never wish my plight on anyone. It is a curse I have had all my life. yet, I am holding on best I can. GLEN
There will always be a health insurance issue no matter what from what I see. Same w/any other issue out therer As for my good days??? Honestly...I really have none. I have never known what the term "happy" is or means. I must admit. I guess I dug myself in a hole. I can't blame those around me much as I like to. (don't tell them that LOL) But, I am miserable most all my days. Once in a while I will get a relief and so called happy moment. But, I do not ever see Glen as ever being happy. Too old (51) I am too emotionally ill and done too much damage too. thanks for being concerned though GLEN