FYI, mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older or about one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. When applied to the 2004 U.S. Census residential population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people.

 

Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion about 6 percent, 1 in 7 who suffer from a serious mental illness. In America mental disorders are diagnosed by the information in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-lV).  A good amount of people are aware of the Mental Health illness presented by the media sources. Movies, Newspaper articles, electronic media have presented situations. The public needs to understand that some of these mass killings had nothing to do with Mental Illness.  (which can be address in another Posting)

 

 

Suicide, Schizophrenia, Anxiety disorders, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Bipolar, Major Depression, Panic Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, have found away into our  friends, family, co workers lives.  Most behavioral professionals don’t often address Eating Disorders, such as Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating as mental illness. Others, are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity ADHD, Austim, Social Phobia, and an illness which baby boomers must work on preventing, Alzheimer’s Disease. The main DSM Mental Health disorders, 303.90, 305.00,304.40,305.70,304.30,305.20,304.20,304.00,305.50,305.60 guess what, they are all Substance Abuse disorders, the grand daddy of them all being 305.10 Nicotine Dependence.

 

Gun Control is very important problem in America  that somehow must be handled, however not by placing the blame on citizens with mental health disorders. The at risk population are firemen, law enforcement, military active duty and veterans who for the most part do not attack members of the greater community .  A better comprehension of mental illness making professional more proactive to care and treatment is one answer in the effort to protect our communities. This is Not a Commentary.  More information can be found at the  National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

 

Related articles

 

• Does My Child Need to See a Psychologist? (everydayfamily.com)
• Study examines link between incarceration and psychiatric disorders (eurekalert.org)
• Consent to Treatment under the Mental Health Act (prweb.com)
• Mental Illness and the Church (yahwehssong.com)
• President Obama Calls for Mental Health First Aid in Gun Control Proposal (prnewswire.com)
• Confused About the Changes in the DSM-5, and What it Means if Your Child has Asperger’s? (guardianlv.com)
• Redefining Mental Illness (time.com)