Family Treatment Program

According to the CDC, Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States.

• More than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime.

• 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year.

• 1 in 5 children, either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.

• 1 in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

The following are some of the most common types:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders

• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

• Bipolar and related disorders.

• Depressive disorders

• Anxiety disorders

• Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders

• Trauma- and stressor-related disorders

• Dissociative disorders

• Feeding and eating disorders

• Sleep-wake disorders

• Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders

• Substance-related and addictive disorders.

• Neurocognitive disorders

• Personality disorders

  FULL LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR DISORDERS provided by National Institutes of Health.

Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors like:

• Early adverse life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse

• Experiences related to other ongoing (chronic) medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes

• Biological factors or chemical imbalances in the brain

• Use of alcohol or drugs

• Environmental exposures before birth

• Brain chemistry

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:

• A history of mental illness in a blood relative

• Stressful life situations

• An ongoing (chronic) medical condition

• Brain damage as a result of a serious injury

• Traumatic experiences

• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs

• A childhood history of abuse or neglect

• Few friends or few healthy relationships

• Having feelings of loneliness or isolationInherited traits

• A previous mental illness

To determine a diagnosis and check for related complications, you may have:

• A physical exam. Your doctor will try to rule out physical problems that could cause your symptoms.

• Lab tests. These may include, for example, a check of your thyroid function or a screening for alcohol and drugs.

• A psychological evaluation. A doctor or mental health professional talks to you about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to help answer these questions

Your treatment depends on the type of mental illness you have, its severity and what works best for you. In many cases, a combination of treatments works best.

If you have a mild mental illness with well-controlled symptoms, treatment from your primary care provider may be sufficient. However, often a team approach is appropriate to make sure all your psychiatric, medical and social needs are met. This is especially important for severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.

For more information talk to a Trusted Adult, your Primary Care Provider or your School Counselor.