Mental health disorders, which profoundly disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, moods, ability to relate to others, and capacity for coping with the demands of life, are common in the US and abroad. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 26% of all Americans older than age 18 suffer “from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year."
One in five Americans will have a mental illness during their lifetime that is severe enough to require treatment, and many more will experience problems that prevent them from enjoying their lives. Furthermore, mental illness accounts for more than 15% of death and disability in this country, more than that caused by all cancers.
Even though treatments for mental illnesses today are highly effective (70% to 90% of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacologic and psychosocial treatments and supports), nearly 2/3 of all people with diagnosable mental disorders do not seek treatment. Stigma surrounding mental health treatment and cost are among the barriers that discourage people from obtaining care.
If individuals with a mental disorder get the treatment they need, especially if it is early, many will fully recover from their disorder or be able to successfully control their symptoms. Below is an overview of mental health services and treatment options available to help you or someone you know with a mental health disorder take action.
Although mental health disorders can be debilitating, there is hope for those who suffer from them. First, it is important to be able to recognize symptoms of mental illness. Some of the most common and disabling manifestations to look out for are:
If you think you might need help (particularly if your feelings and experiences are overwhelming), there are a number of places you can turn to and things you can do to ease the situation. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends that you:
For information about resources available in your community, a good place to start is SAMHSA’s Mental Health Services Locator, which allows you to find what’s available in your state. In addition, you might want to contact your local mental health center (the National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care can help you locate a community mental health center in your area) or an affiliate of a national self-help organization (such as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill or the National Empowerment Center), which will tell you about services designed to meet your specific needs.
Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. They are not caused by weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. And yet, stigmatization of people with mental disorders persists. Don’t let this stop you from seeking the care you need.
The consequences for people with a mental health disorder who fail to obtain treatment include disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, or suicide. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better.
Many mental health conditions can be effectively treated with one or a combination of the therapies listed below. Treatment emphasis over the past decade or so, however, seems to have shifted from psychotherapy to pharmacologic therapy.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined trends in outpatient treatment for depression (a major type of mental illness). The study found that between 1987 and 1997, there was a significant increase in the number of Americans who received treatment for depression. Over that period, however, treatment with antidepressant medications increased significantly, while the proportion of patients who received psychotherapy declined significantly, along with the number of psychotherapy visits per patient.
Psychotherapy (or “talk therapy”) is a learning process in which mental health professionals help individuals who have mental health disorders through the exchange of verbal communication. The three major types of psychotherapy are:
In recent years, there has been an outpouring of new medications introduced for the treatment of mental health disorders. These include:
If you need pharmacologic therapy, your doctor will be able to determine which type of medication is right for you.
In some severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used.
There are many options for payment of mental health services and treatments.
Health plans vary in terms of what they cover. Find out what treatments and services your plan covers or shop around if you are in the process of selecting a plan.
If you are not satisfied with your mental health benefits, the American Psychiatric Association recommends that you talk to your employee benefits manager or union representative to try to improve your coverage.
There are several resources available to people who don’t have health insurance:
If you feel something is wrong, don’t hesitate to ask for help. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Chances are, with the right treatments and services, you will be able to recover from your mental health disorder.
RESOURCES:
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
http://www.samhsa.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/
References:
About mental illness. National Alliance for Mental Illness website.
Available at:
http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Inform_Yourself/About_Mental_Illness/About_Mental_Illness.htm
. Accessed June 9, 2009.
Mental disorders in America: the numbers count. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/numbers.cfm . Accessed July 14, 2003.
Mental health: a report of the surgeon general (1999). Available at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth/home.html . Accessed July 14, 2003.
Olfson M, Marcus SC, Druss B, Elinson L, Tanielian T, Pineus HA. National trends in the outpatient treatment of depression. JAMA . 2002;287:203-209.
Parity for mental illness health insurance. American Psychiatric Association website. Available at: http://www.psych.org/public_info/men_insurance.cfm . Accessed July 14, 2003.
People can recover from mental illness. National Empowerment Center website.
Available at:
http://www.power2u.org/recovery/people_can.html
. Accessed July 18, 2003.
Last reviewed May 2009 by Theodor B. Rais MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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