According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020).

Different kinds of therapy are more effective based on the nature of the mental health condition and/or symptoms and the person who has them (for example, children will benefit from a therapist who specializes in children’s mental health). However, there are several different types of treatment and therapy that can help.

Health care professionals have differing opinions on the effectiveness of medication to treat mental illness.  Mental illness is a medical illness. A person does not simply “get over” mental illness without some form of treatment. Mental illness is generally a lifelong, chronic medical illness that needs consistent treatment.

Though medications can often aid in the treatment of mental illness, it is unlikely that taking medication as the sole form of treatment will be effective in “getting over” or stabilizing one’s mental illness. Professionals generally recommend therapy along with medications to manage mental illness most effectively.

People who suffer the mental illness of severe depression may put pressure on themselves to just “get over” and return to active participation again, but like other mental illnesses, it takes therapy and sometimes medication to stabilize.

Mental illness can often disrupt a person’s life by hindering that person’s ability to focus on and complete tasks that they otherwise would be able to complete. Establishing a productive daily routine can help to normalize that person’s daily life and having a routine most often contributes to increased life satisfaction that comes with personal accomplishment (in the human population as a whole, not just those living with mental illness).

The decision to take prescription medication is one that every individual must make for himself or herself. Some people do not feel comfortable divulging information to doctors or others living with mental illness in a therapy environment so they choose to rely solely on medication to combat the disturbances in their lives caused by mental illness. The question of whether it is safe to take prescription medication without partaking in therapy can best be answered by stating that it might be less effective to take medication without the benefit of therapy, but it does not seem to have been proven to be unsafe.

By itself, exercise is unlikely to control many types of mental illness. Many health care professionals think that physical exercise has a positive effect on depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses, though all caution that more clinical research must be done on the subject. There does seem to be a large section of the medical community that believes physical exercise, in conjunction with therapy and prescription medication, is very beneficial to persons living with mental illnesses, as it is for all people.

Different kinds of therapy are more effective based on the nature of the mental health condition and/or symptoms and the person who has them (for example, children will benefit from a therapist who specializes in children’s mental health). However, there are several different types of treatment and therapy that can help.

By itself, exercise is unlikely to control many types of mental illness. Many health care professionals think that physical exercise has a positive effect on depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses, though all caution that more clinical research must be done on the subject. There does seem to be a large section of the medical community that believes physical exercise, in conjunction with therapy and prescription medication, is very beneficial to persons living with mental illnesses, as it is for all people.

Approximately 3 percent of the people in the U.S. (3 out of 100 people) will experience psychosis at some time in their lives. About 100,000 adolescents and young adults in the U.S. experience first-episode psychosis each year.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by periods of psychosis. An individual must experience psychotic symptoms for at least six months in order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, a person may experience psychosis and never be diagnosed with schizophrenia or any other mental health condition. This is because there are many different causes of psychosis, such as sleep deprivation, general medical conditions, the use of certain prescription medications, and the abuse of alcohol or other drugs.

Typically, a person will show changes in their behavior before psychosis develops. The list below includes behavioral warning signs for psychosis.

• A worrisome drop in grades or job performance
• New trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
• Suspiciousness, paranoid ideas, or uneasiness with others
• Withdrawing socially, spending a lot more time alone than usual
• Unusual, overly intense new ideas, strange feelings, or having no feelings at all
• The decline in self-care or personal hygiene
• Difficulty telling reality from fantasy
• Confused speech or trouble communicating

Any one of these items by itself may not be significant, but someone with several of the items on the list should consult a mental health professional. A qualified psychologist, psychiatrist, or trained social worker will be able to make a diagnosis and help develop a treatment plan. Early treatment of psychosis increases the chance of a successful recovery. If you notice these changes in behavior and they begin to intensify or do not go away, it is important to seek help.

Adolescence is a time for young people to have a healthy start in life. The number of adolescents reporting poor mental health is increasing. Building strong bonds and connecting to youth can protect their mental health. Schools and parents can create these protective relationships with students and help them grow into healthy adulthood.

Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can impact many areas of a teen’s life. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision-making, and their health.

Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors than can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy. Because many health behaviors and habits are established in adolescence that will carry over into adult years, it is very important to help youth develop good mental health.

• Often talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Making comments about being hopeless, helpless or worthless
• Expressions of having no reason for living; no sense of purpose in life; saying  things like “It would be better if I wasn’t here” or “I want out.”
• Increased alcohol and/or drug misuse
• Withdrawal from friends, family, and community
• Reckless behavior or more risky activities, seemingly without thinking
• Dramatic mood changes
• Talking about feeling trapped or being a burden to others

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline the number 1-800-273-8255. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress

Yes and No

Children are not diagnosed with Bipolar before 18yrs. Bipolar runs in the family (genetic) and your child may be started on a mood stabilizer to help with symptoms.