This month we are exploring the various types of mental illness. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. These illnesses greatly affect family members and society in general. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. One in five American adults contends with a mental illness. Most importantly, mental illnesses are treatable.

Here is a list of some of the more commonly known mental illnesses: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizoaffective Disorder, Schizophrenia, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Tourett’s Syndrome.

Below are some important facts about mental illness and recovery from NAMI.org.

Mental illnesses are biologically based brain disorders.  They cannot be overcome through “will power” and are not related to a person’s “character” or intelligence.

Mental disorders fall along a continuum of severity. Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 Americans — who suffer from a serious mental illness. It is estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in America.

Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives; The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States.

The best treatments for serious mental illnesses today are highly effective.

Between 70 and 90 percent of individuals have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life with a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial treatments and supports.

With appropriate effective medication and a wide range of services tailored to their needs, most people who live with serious mental illnesses can significantly reduce the impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence. A key concept is to develop expertise in developing strategies to manage the illness process.

Early identification and treatment is of vital importance; By ensuring access to the treatment and recovery supports that are proven effective, recovery is accelerated and the further harm related to the course of illness is minimized.

Stigma erodes confidence that mental disorders are real, treatable health conditions. We have allowed stigma and a now unwarranted sense of hopelessness to erect attitudinal, structural and financial barriers to effective treatment and recovery. It is time to take these barriers down.

Tip of the month — sunshine can be excellent — especially for your brain and mental health! Sunshine also helps boost serotonin levels. Serotonin is a feel-good hormone that many antidepressants are designed to help your brain produce. Go out and enjoy some!