Mental health disorders strike millions of Americans – regardless of race, color, gender, age, and socioeconomic status – each year. Some disorders are mild, while others are more disabling and require intensive management and care. Consider these statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
Mental health disorders account for four of the top 10 causes of disability in established market economies, such as the US, worldwide, and include: major depression (also called clinical depression), manic depression (also called bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
An estimated 22.1 percent of Americans ages 18 and older – about one in five (or over 44 million) adults – suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
Approximately 18.8 million American adults – or 9.5 percent – ages 18 and over, will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year. Many of them will be unnecessarily incapacitated for weeks or months because their illness is left untreated.
It is vital that we know that help is available. As many as eight in 10 people suffering from mental disorders can effectively return to normal, productive lives if they receive appropriate treatment – treatment which is readily available.
Here are a few resources to learn more about various mental health illness, and treatments available.
Adult Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Disclaimer
Although Harmony Medical Associates strives for the highest quality in the resources offered, it is not responsible for the validity or accuracy of the material presented in the web site links. HMA does not endorse any of the medications, products or treatments described, mentioned or discussed in any of the services, databases or pages in the resource list. Always consult a licensed mental health professional before making any decision regarding treatment choice or changes in your treatment.
Never discontinue treatment or medication without first consulting your psychiatrist or therapist. Online resources are to be used only for general educational and informational purposes and are not meant to nor can replace the specialized training and professional judgment of a health care or mental health care professional. Please consult your physician or appropriate mental health care provider about the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your own symptoms or medical conditions.