Wednesday, May 29, 2002

Many still in the dark about mental illness

A recent survey by the National Mental Health Association shows that most Americans still know very little about mental illness.

According to the survey, only one-third of the public believes that people with mental illnesses can be helped by treatment. The reality, however, is that treatments for people with mental illnesses are often more successful than treatments for physical illnesses such as heart disease.

In a second survey, conducted by the National Mental Association of Georgia, 80 percent of people suffering from clinical depression are treatable, and the success rate for schizophrenia the most chronic and disabling of the severe mental disorders is 60 percent. Ironically, the treatment success rate for heart disease, by contrast, is between 41 and 52 percent.

Scientists are closer than ever to unlocking the mysteries of the brain. For example, scientists recently discovered new brain abnormalities in people suffering from schizophrenia. With discoveries such as these, researchers can continue to develop newer generation antipsychotic medications such as Zyprexa and Risperdal, all of which have less of the troubling side effects of older medications and are better tolerated by patients.

May is Mental Health Month, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness about mental health. For more information about understanding mental illnesses, visit www.nami.org or www.nmhag.org, or call 770-234-0855 or 404-527-7157.