As a mental health professional, it's important to note that the term "serious mental illness" can be subjective and may vary depending on the context in which it is used. However, in general, serious mental illnesses are conditions that significantly impair a person's ability to function in daily life, often due to the severity of symptoms and the impact on the individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These conditions typically require ongoing professional treatment and support.

Serious mental illness includes a range of diagnoses that can have profound effects on a person's life. They often involve psychosis, which is characterized by a loss of contact with reality and may include experiencing delusions or hallucinations. Additionally, these illnesses can necessitate high levels of care, sometimes requiring hospitalization for stabilization and treatment.

Two of the most well-known and studied serious mental illnesses are schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imagined. They may experience hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and other cognitive impairments. The disorder can also lead to significant social and occupational dysfunction.

Bipolar disorder, on the other hand, is characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These episodes can dramatically affect a person's energy, activity, and ability to function. During manic phases, individuals may engage in risky or impulsive behavior, have inflated self-esteem, and experience a decreased need for sleep. During depressive phases, they may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities.

Both of these conditions are complex and multifaceted, often requiring a combination of medication, therapy, and social support to manage effectively. It's also crucial to recognize that while these illnesses can be severe, they are treatable, and many people with serious mental illnesses lead fulfilling lives with the right support and treatment.

It's important to approach discussions about serious mental illness with sensitivity and to challenge the stigma that can surround these conditions. Mental health is as important as physical health, and individuals living with serious mental illnesses deserve understanding, respect, and access to the care they need.

read more >>

Serious mental illness includes diagnoses which typically involve psychosis (losing touch with reality or experiencing delusions) or high levels of care, and which may require hospital treatment. Here we look at two of the most common severe mental illnesses: schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (or manic depression).read more >>