Recognizing the Symptoms of a Mental Illness
Mental Illness is a term that describes conditions ranging from "having the blues" to more serious conditions such as severe depression, schizophrenia or bipolar illness.
Although we recognize that mental illness is really a group of disorders that cause serious disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating, we still do not have a good understanding of their causes. Nor do we know how to effectively prevent or cure mental illness.
We do know, however, how to recognize the symptoms of mental illness. Increasingly medications are available that can reduce or alleviate the symptoms and manifestations of mental illness. There are also therapy and support programs that have demonstrated success with people with serious mental illnesses. When these two methods of treatment are combined, there is a high rate of success for people to remain in the community.
Following are links to descriptions of some of the most common illnesses and disorders, with suggestions about where to go for more information.
For more information on these illnesses and the other services of Information and Referral, visit Information and Referral Resources.
