Mental Disorders
The World Health Organization’s Global Burden of Disease study reported that mental disorders comprise four of the top five sources of premature death and disability in 15-44 year olds in the Western world. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, and other mental disorders are serious, often life-threatening illnesses for which we need reliable diagnostic tests, new treatments, and effective strategies for prevention. This section offers information from the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMN) about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. Included are links to brochures and information sheets, reports, press releases, fact sheets, and other educational materials.
The information provide here is introductory and is not meant to replace a full evaluation by a licensed health or mental health professional. Seeking early treatment is important. If you have concerns speak with your primary health care professional or call BryLin Behavioral Health System at (716) 886-8200 ext. 2264 or 1-800-7-BRYLIN (1-800-727-9546) and request the Admissions Department through the operator.
Schizophrenia:
What is it?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. Approximately 1 percent of the population develops schizophrenia during their lifetime – more than 2 million Americans suffer from the illness in a given year. Although schizophrenia affects men and women with equal frequency, the disorder often appears earlier in men, usually in the late teens or early twenties, than in women, who are generally affected in the twenties to early thirties. People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These symptoms may leave them fearful and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others. Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals recovers completely.
People experiencing an acute episode of their illness may need hospitalization, particularly if they are at risk to themselves. BryLin Hospitals provides inpatient treatment services for people suffering from schizophrenia. We help families learn more about the disease and find needed services for their family members. For more information about schizophrenia and its treatment click here.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior:
What should you do if someone tells you they are thinking about suicide?
If someone tells you they are thinking about suicide, you should take their distress seriously, listen nonjudgmentally, and help them get to a professional for evaluation and treatment. People consider suicide when they are hopeless and unable to see alternative solutions to problems. Suicidal behavior is most often related to a mental disorder (depression) or to alcohol or other substance abuse. Suicidal behavior is also more likely to occur when people experience stressful events (major losses, incarceration). If someone is in imminent danger of harming himself or herself, do not leave the person alone. You may need to take emergency steps to get help, such as calling 911. When someone is in a suicidal crisis, it is important to limit access to firearms or other lethal means of committing suicide. If a person has taken an overdose or physically harmed themselves, they should be taken immediately to an emergency room of a general hospital for medical treatment. Once they are medically cleared they can be referred for psychiatric care. BryLin Hospitals provide care for people who are having suicidal thoughts and need inpatient care to provide a protect environment and subsequent treatment.
Depressive Disorders
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease. This pamphlet briefly describes three of the most common types of depressive disorders. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.
A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.
Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment.
For example, the individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state. BryLin Hospitals provides treatment services for the full range of depressive disorders.
For more information about depression treatment, click here.
Mental Health of Children and Adolescents
The future of our country depends on the mental health and strength of our young people. However, many children have mental health problems that interfere with normal development and functioning. A 1999 study estimated that almost 21 percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 had a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder that caused at least some impairment. When diagnostic criteria were limited to significant functional impairment, the estimate dropped to 11 percent. Moreover, in any given year, it is estimated that fewer than one in five of these youth receives needed treatment. Recent evidence compiled by the World Health Organization indicates that by the year 2020, childhood neuropsychiatric disorders will rise proportionately by over 50 percent, internationally, to become one of the five most common causes of morbidity, mortality, and disability among children. The mental health problems affecting children and adolescents include the following: depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, schizophrenia, eating disorders, conduct disorders. BryLin Hospitals provides in-patient care for children and adolescents. For more information on childhood disorders, click here
Do you suffer from a mental disorder? Or do you know someone who does?
Find out more here. This link offers further information from NIMH about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illnesses: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm
