The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that approximately 26 percent of American adults, about one in four, has a diagnosable mental health disorder. Of the 26 percent with a mental health problem, at least 6 percent suffer from serious and persistent mental illness, or SPMI. The NIMH further reports that mental illness is the leading cause of disability in North America amongst those age 15 to 44.
Anxiety Disorders
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that anxiety disorders are the most prominent mental health problem. Anxiety disorders range in severity from feeling uneasy in certain situations to extreme and disabling terror. NIMH indicates that 18 percent of the population has an anxiety disorder in some form and there are typically co-occurring mental problems in existence as well. The most common anxiety disorder is categorized as specific phobia followed by post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Specific phobia is a significant fear of an object or situation, such as snakes, spiders or elevators. Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed after a person has witnessed or has been a direct victim of a trauma such as war or assault. Generalized anxiety disorder refers to a chronic anxiety with unknown or minimal provocation, and panic disorder refers to intense feelings of terror that strike without out warning due to fear of loss of control. Anxiety disorders are typically treated with medications and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders are second in common occurrence after anxiety disorders, however the mood disorder of major depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Mood disorders are classified as disturbances in emotional state potentially caused by chemical imbalance in the brain and environmental factors. Mental Health America recognizes four basic forms of mood disorder: depression, dysthymia, cyclothymia and bipolar disorder. The most common mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder. Depression is characterized by significant low mood that renders a person unable to function in daily life during the most severe cases. Dysthymia is described as a long term and low grade depression that does not interfere in daily functioning. Bipolar disorder refers to dramatic depression and the presence of at least one high or manic episode, while cyclothymia is a milder depression with at least one hypo-manic episode. Mood disorders are treatable with medications and psychotherapy.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder of impaired perceptions, thought and reality. The symptoms of schizophrenia often include: delusions, hallucinations, flat mood, social isolation and disordered thinking processes. Nearly 2 percent of the American population is diagnosed with schizophrenia. The most severe cases of schizophrenia can result in a disabling brain disease that limits normal daily functioning. According to SAMHSA, schizophrenia is deemed the most disabling mental health disorder. Schizophrenia develops due to abnormalities in the brain structure as well as imbalances in biochemical brain activity. Environmental influences are also theorized as contributing to the development of the disorder. Schizophrenia symptoms may be effectively treated with medications and long term psychotherapy.
