Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder that affects approximately 2.2 million American adults, or 1.1 percent of the population age 18 and older. Schizophrenia interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, to distinguish reality from fantasy, to manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. The first signs of schizophrenia typically emerge in the teenage years or early twenties. Most people with schizophrenia suffer chronically or episodically throughout their lives, and are often stigmatized by lack of public understanding about the disease. Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. A person with schizophrenia does not have a "split personality," and almost all people with schizophrenia are not dangerous or violent towards others when they are receiving treatment. The World Health Organization has identified schizophrenia as one of the ten most debilitating diseases affecting human beings. Understanding Schizophrenia [pdf version, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for free from Adobe] - This 16-page brochure provides a detailed description of schizophrenia, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and strategies for coping. (Note: Be patient. If you don't have high-speed Internet access, it will take several minutes for this to download.) Schizophrenia Fact Sheet - Reference guide to schizophrenia and its treatments. Schizoaffective Disorder Fact Sheet - Reference guide to schizoaffective disorder. Tardive Dyskinesia Fact Sheet - Reference guide to the side effect tardive dyskinesia a serious side effect of some antipsychotic medications for schizophrenia. Medications used to treat schizophrenia Links Return to Home.
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Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a brain disorder involving episodes of mania and depression. It affects more than two million American adults. Effective treatments are available that greatly reduce the symptoms of bipolar disorder and allow people to lead normal and productive lives. Understanding Bipolar Disorder [pdf] - This 30-page brochure provides a detailed description of bipolar disorder, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and strategies for coping. (Note: Be patient. If you don't have high-speed Internet access, it will take several minutes for this to download.) Bipolar Disorder Fact Sheet - Reference guide to bipolar disorder and its treatments. Childhood-onset Bipolar Disorder Fact Sheet - Reference guide to bipolar disorder in children. Medications used to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder. Links Return to Home. |
Depressive disorders are serious
illnesses that affect a person's mood, concentration, sleep, activity,
appetite, social behavior, and feelings. Depressive disorders come in
different forms, the most common being major depression (unipolar depression).
Major depression, the leading cause of disability in the U.S., affects
over 9 million adults in a given year. Despite the disabling effects of
depression, it is highly treatable. |
Anxiety disorders include panic
disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, and phobias (social phobia,
agoraphobia, and specific phobias). More than 19 million American adults
suffer from an anxiety disorder in a given year, and many people have
more than one anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur
with depressive disorders, eating disorders, or substance abuse. Depending
on the type of anxiety disorder(s) someone has, effective treatments can
include medication(s), psychosocial therapies, or a combination of the
two. |
Personality disorders are chronic mental disorders that affect a person's ability to function in everyday activities, especially work, family, and social life. There are biological and psychological components to most personality disorders and the preferred treatment is psychotherapy, although medication may be needed to treat serious symptoms. There are several types of personality disorders, but the most common is borderline personality disorder.| Borderline Personality Disorder Fact Sheet - Reference guide to borderline personality disorder, its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Links Return to Home. |