01/05/2008
Psychiatry and Psychology Department
May is Mental Health Month and The Cleveland Clinic joins hundreds of organizations to educate the public about the importance of mental health and the reality of mental illness. Mental disorders are more common than you think.
According to The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, 54 million Americans are affected each year with a serious mental illness. Most families are not prepared to cope with a mental illness. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that symptoms may be difficult to recognize, and that many worry about what others will think. But you are not alone if there is mental illness in your family, and it is important to know the warning signs and available treatment options. A mental illness is a disorder that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior and/or mood, resulting in problems coping with life's ordinary demands and routines.
Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits, social interaction, and ability to get things done. If you think you or someone you care about may be suffering from a mental illness, talk to a doctor. Medications and psychotherapy are effective treatments for most mental disorders. For more information about mental illness, go to http://www.nami.org/fact.htm
