Mental Illness Disorders Are Real-Caused By A Chemical Imbalance

1. Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders. They cannot be overcome through "will power" or "just get over it." They are not related to a person's "character" or intelligence. Mental Illness Is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.

2. Mental Illness disorders fall along a persistence in severity. Even though mental disorders are widespread, the main burden of mental illness is exclusive in a much smaller proportion. About 6 percent,or 1 in 17 Americans suffer from a serious mental illness. It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in America.

3. The World Health Organization has reported that four of the 10 leading causes of disability in the US and other developed countries are mental disorders.

4. Mental illnesses usually impacts individuals in the prime of their lives,late 20's early 30,s, often during adolescence and young adulthood. All ages are susceptible, but the young and the old are especially vulnerable.

5. Without proper treatment plans the ramifications of mental illness for the individual and society are overwhelming, unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives. The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in just United States alone.

6. The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective. Between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports. These being psychotherapy and seeing a psychiatrist for medical needs.

7. With appropriate effective medication combonations and a range of services appropriate to their needs, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can substantially reduce the impact of their illness and find a gratifying measure of success and independence. The key concepts are to develop skills and strategies to manage the illness and attain functionality.

8. Early identification and treatment is essential. By ensuring access to the treatment centers and recovery supports that are proven to be effective, recovery goes much faster and the harm related to the course of illness is reduced.

9. Stigma gnaws away at self confidence. Mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We have allowed stigma and ignorance to scare away patients that need serious treatment to be part of a society that he/she deserves to be part of.