»KNN, Psychiatry Loves You and Has a Plan for Your Life«

Serious Mental Illnesses, a term applied to mental disorders that interfere with some area of social functioning, affect over 10 million adults (5.4 percent of the adult population).Two-thirds of the 44 million Americans who have diagnosable mental disorders do not seek treatment.

Psychosis is a term used to indicate thinking disruption and altered perceptions of reality. Psychosis can occur during an acute phase of schizophrenia, manic-depression, or major depression, and is generally treatable. “Psychotic” does not mean sinister or violent. The term “psychotic” is often misused in articles, novels, television dramas, and movies to describe characters with a pattern of heinous behavior. This error spreads confusion about the nature of psychosis and adds to prejudice.

Schizophrenia is a diagnostic term applied to a serious, treatable illness that will affect one out of every 100 Americans. The illness responds best to early, supportive treatment. Over time, many people learn successful ways of managing even severe symptoms to moderate their disrup-tiveness to daily life. Schizophrenia is not split or multiple personality. The word should be used only in appropriate medical contexts to reduce public confusion.

Major Depression, also called major unipolar depression, is the leading cause of disability in the United States and worldwide. It affects one in 15 Americans in any given year. The suicide rate is 6 times higher for persons with diagnos-able depression than for a person without the illness. With appropriate treatment, 80 percent of those affected can improve.

Manic-Depression, also called bipolar disorder, is a treatable condition causing disabling mood swings that will affect one in 100 Americans. Determining the proper medication requires persistence and patience. Studies show that without treatment the illness leads to suicide in nearly 20 percent of cases. Manic-depressive illness, major depression, and schizophrenia are complicated when combined with alcohol or substance abuse.

Recovery from a serious mental illness may take months or years. Progress toward recovery is aided by recognizing symptoms and seeking early help, appropriate medical care, social and housing supports, guidance in managing symptoms, access to crisis support, and rehabilitation options.