Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
The basics about mental illness What is mental illness? Mental illness is a health problem that can change the way a person thinks, feels, makes decisions, deals with others, or copes with everyday life. Someone with a mental illness may experience a number of problems that may make it difficult for them to lead a normal life. Often these problems are:
Mental illness is also sometimes called emotional illness, mental disease, or mental disorder. Can mental illness be treated? Can people with mental illnesses get better? Yes -- almost every mental illness has some form of treatment. For some it's medication, for others it's therapy; often, it's a combination of both. Different people may have different reactions to the same treatment, so sometimes people must try several different things before finding something that works. Not all kinds of mental illness can be permanently 'cured'; but almost all can be treated so that the person can live a happier and more productive life. New treatments and drugs are being discovered all the time. What causes mental illness? There are many different reasons someone may have a mental illness. Mental illness could be caused by something physical, such as an injury to your head or an infection that attacks your brain. It could also by caused by your surroundings, for example if you have experienced abuse or another extremely upsetting event. For many other people, mental illness is caused by their genes. Just as our genes determine the color of our skin, hair, and even how tall we may grow, our genes can also determine how our brain will function. Often, people with a mental illness are born with some chemical imbalance which makes it difficult for their brain to function like other people's. Can anyone get mental illness? Yes. Mental illness can strike anyone, no matter what age, race, or economic status. That is why it is important for people to know that mental illness is common and help is easily available. People with mental illnesses are not alone. Here are some statistics from the American Psychiatric Association about mental illness in the United States:
Who gets mental illness Is mental illness contagious? Can you catch it? Does it run in families? Mental illness is NOT contagious. It is not like a cold or the flu. Just like you can't catch bad eyesight or asthma from someone, you can't catch mental illness. However, just like you can inherit bad eyesight or asthma from your parents, some types of mental illnesses can run in families. This does not mean that someone with mental illness in their family will also have a mental illness. It means that their chances of having a mental illness may be slightly higher than the chances of someone who doesn't have mental illness in their family. Can kids get mental illnesses? Yes. Unfortunately kids can have mental illnesses. Some kinds of mental illnesses are more common in kids, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), while other kinds are more common in adults, such as schizophrenia. But there is no absolute dividing line. Mental illnesses do not discriminate. Getting treatment What is a psychiatrist? What is a psychologist? Who else may treat mentally ill people? Psychiatrists are doctors who went to medical school but chose to specialize in treating emotional problems. A Child Psychiatrist is a psychiatrist who has had special training in working with children and teens. Psychiatrists, because they did go to medical school, are the only mental health professionals who can prescribe medication. Their degrees are either MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). Psychologists may also be doctors but did not go to medical school. They went to schools that train people to evaluate and treat emotional problems. They treat and prevent serious problems by helping people cope with stress or crisis. A psychologist has to have at least a master's degree in psychology (that's two year's of graduate training) and often has a doctorate (five years of training). Their degrees are either PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), PsyD (Doctor of Psychology), EdD (Doctor of Education), or MS (Master's of Science). Some other kinds of people trained to work with the mentally ill (usually working with a Psychiatrist or Psychologist) are Psychiatric or Clinical Social Workers, Family Therapists, Psychiatric Nurses, and Pastoral Counselors (ministers who have earned a special degree). What is "therapy"? How long does therapy take? What happens in a session? Therapy is a way of treating someone with a disease or disorder. There are many different kinds of therapy. Some of the more common kinds include:
People with mental illnesses are often treated with a combination of medicinal therapy and counseling. Counseling could take place with a psychiatrist, psychologist, family therapist, or any other person who has been trained to work with people with mental illnesses. Counseling could be one-on-one (between you and your therapist only), family (involving other members of your family) or group (involving other people who have problems similar to you.) Occasionally, one or two sessions with a counselor/therapist will be enough for some people. More often, either short-term therapy (lasting 10 to 12 sessions), or longer-term treatment (continuing for as much as a year or longer), will be recommended. How long a person's therapy takes depends on a number of things, such as, how severe their problem is, what they hope to achieve in therapy, and how easy or difficult it is for them to make changes. What happens during therapy depends upon the person in therapy and the person who is counseling them. Often, patients will discuss the way they feel, their problems and difficulties, and the changes they would like to make in their lives. Therapists have years of training and experience, as well as an outside view, that can sometimes help the patient see their problems more clearly and look at new ways of approaching them. Although there are many different kinds of therapy and treatments, the final goal is always the same: to help the patient gain control over their illness and lead a happier more productive life. What happens in a psychiatric hospital? Usually, people are not admitted to a psychiatric hospital unless their doctor is concerned that they may do harm to themselves -- either intentionally, if they are suicidal, or if they are unable to control their behavior. Despite what you often see in the movies or on television, psychiatric hospitals are intended to help people who need constant care and supervision until they are better. They are not a place to lock away 'crazies' or 'problem patients'. People are sent to a psychiatric hospital in the hope that they will get better more quickly; not to get them out of the way. People who are admitted to a psychiatric hospital are often treated with a combination of medications and therapy, similar to people who are not admitted to a hospital. The difference is that within a hospital, your therapy is more intense. Nurses and physicians are on hand to make sure that your medicine is treating you effectively and that you take it on a regular schedule. Patients often attend several therapy and counseling sessions a day and have other forms of therapy, such as participating in arts or sports. As patients get better and their doctors feel more confident about the patients' ability to take care of themselves, their medications and counseling may be reduced. Patients may be allowed to leave the hospital during the day, or take overnight trips or have special privileges. Patients who are doing better but may not be ready to (or want to) completely leave the hospital setting may move into some sort of halfway house, which has a physician or therapist on hand in case of an emergency, but allows the person to otherwise live a very normal life. Who takes medication? What are the benefits and side effects of medication? In the last few years, scientists have discovered a number of medications that can help people with mental illnesses. The types of medications, length of time a person may need to take them, and effects they have depend on the person and the type of illness they have. Some people with a mental illness may not need to take any medication. Some people may need to take medication for a short while until they feel more stable. Some people may need to take medication for most of their life. Whatever category a person falls in to, it is important to remember that the purpose of medication for mental illness is to help a person regain balance in their life and become more stabile. These drugs are not intended to change someone's personality. It is also important to remember that, while intended to help, many of these drugs can have serious side effects if taken improperly. All drugs should be supplied by a doctor and taken according to the doctor's instructions. For more specific information on some commonly used drugs for mental illnesses, visit the Medications Commonly Used To Treat Mental Illness page. Suicide - Recognizing the symptoms and getting help Why do people commit suicide? How do you know if someone is suicidal? Someone who is suicidal feels overwhelmingly alone, isolated, helpless and without hope. They feel as though they can no longer cope with problems and suicide may seem to be a way out. Many people think about suicide at some point in their lives. But they find these thoughts are temporary as gradually, things do get better. However, that does NOT mean you should ignore suicidal feelings in yourself or someone else. It is very important that someone who is suicidal or having suicidal thoughts get help! Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. Some of these symptoms are listed below. While having one of the symptoms below does not necessarily mean that a person is suicidal (for example, change in eating or sleeping habits), someone who shows several of these signs or seems very depressed or fixated on death is at risk and should be getting help.
What should you do if you or a friend is thinking about suicide? If you are considering suicide, you need to talk to someone who can help you. If you know a responsible adult who you feel you can talk to and trust, such as a parent, family member, teacher, doctor, or counselor, go to them for help. If you don't know who to talk to or are afraid to talk to someone you know, there are a number of hotlines, organizations, and counseling centers run by people who are trained to help. Check the Psychiatric Emergency Services page or call any Community Mental Health Center. If a friend has mentioned suicide, or if you are afraid that they might be considering suicide, help them find a professional to talk to. Remember, that while your friend needs your friendship, you are not a counselor. You can be there for your friend and help them find a professional counselor, therapist or doctor, but you can't be their counselor or therapist. Here are some hints to help you talk to a friend who you are afraid is considering suicide:
What do you do in an emergency or suicide attempt? If a person has attempted suicide, this is a medical emergency. Dial 911 right away. It is a psychiatric emergency if the person:
If a friend or family member is behaving oddly and you are afraid they are about to commit suicide, call 911 or contact the Suicide Crisis Intervention Service for the City of Philadelphia at 215-686-4420. They are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. For more information about what to do in an emergency, or for a listing of non-emergency services, visit the Mental Health Association's Web site section on Getting Help. Who to call for help What is a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) and why would someone go to a CMHC? Supported by the government, Community Mental Health Centers exist around the United States. Their goal is to provide the local community with preventive services (advice for maintaining positive mental health, such as dealing with stress or anxiety) and psychiatric services (counseling and assistance for people with mental illnesses). Every CMHC must meet requirements set out by the state. In addition, they must provide the community with the following services:
People may be referred to a CMHC if they are being seen by a mental health professional or have been a patient in a mental health facility. CMHC's are also available for people who may be concerned that they have a mental illness or disorder, but don't know who to turn to. Anybody who is a resident of Philadelphia over the age of 14 is eligible for services from any CMHC in Philadelphia. If you have questions about mental illnesses, think you, a friend, or a family member may need help, contact your local CMHC for advice. For a complete list of CMHC's in Philadelphia, visit the Getting Help section of the main Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania section of this Web site. Disclaimer: Please remember that the information provided to you on this Web site is designed for general information purposes only. This information should not be relied upon in place of the advice of a professional health care provider, diagnosis or treatment. You are encouraged to confer with a professional mental health care provider should you have any questions about this information or before you make any decisions based upon this information. Finally, if you think you may be experiencing a mental health emergency, you should call your doctor or your local emergency medical service immediately. |
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