A mental illness is a disorder of the brain that can cause severe disturbances in thinking, feeling, and relating. This often results in an inability to cope with the ordinary demands on life, at least for periods of time.

While serious mental illnesses are typically prolonged conditions which can not be prevented or cured, with adequate treatment and support many people can lead self-sufficient, productive lives.

• Prolonged disorders of mood that result from biochemical changes in the brain.

Major Depression:

• Symptoms include loss of interest in daily activities, difficulty with too little or too much sleep, low energy, feelings of inadequacy, social withdrawal, and suicidal thoughts or actions.

Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder):

• Characterized by swings between extreme high and low moods. Extreme low moods include depressive symptoms, while extreme high moods may be recognized by boundless energy, increased need for activity, argumentative, poor judgement, delusional thinking, and difficulty sleeping.

• Impairs thinking and judgement, sensory perception, and the ability to appropriately interpret and respond to situations.
• Symptoms can include hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feelings things that exist only in the mind of the individual), delusions (persistent mistaken beliefs), suspiciousness, withdrawal, communication difficulties, and drastic changes in behavior and personality.
• About one in every hundred people is affected by schizophrenia. Of these about one-third recover, one-third can improve with proper treatment, and one-third may remain or decline.

While a single or isolated event is not necessarily a sign of mental illness, professional help should be sought if symptoms persist or worsen.

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From a brochure written by Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Oakland County (support & referral: (248) 557-6440; office: (248) 569-4467), provided by Joseph J. Laurencelle Memorial Foundation.

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