Q What is considered a serious mental illness?
Mental illnesses are serious medical illnesses. They cannot be overcome through "will power" and are not related to a persons "character" or intelligence. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible. According SMI patient having 2-3 following mental symptoms persistent more than 1 year considered as serious mental illness- 1.Feeling, Mood, and Affect: Uncontrolled emotion. Marked change in mood. Depression and/or anxiety incapacitated person. Emotional responses are inappropriate to the situation. 2. Thinking: Severe impairment in concentration, persistence, and pace. Frequent or consistent interference with daily life due to impaired thinking. Presence of delusions and/or hallucinations. Frequent substitution of fantasy for reality. 3. Family: Disruption of family relationships. Family does not function as a unit and experiences frequent turbulence. 4. Interpersonal: Lacks close friends or group affiliations. Socially isolated. 5. Role Performance: Individual is unable to meet usual expectations. Unable to obtain or maintain employment and/or conduct daily living chores such as care of immediate living environment. 6. Socio-legal: Inability to maintain conduct within the limits prescribed by law, rules, and strong mores. Disregard for safety of others. Destructive to property. Involvement with law enforcement. 7. Self Care/Basic Needs: Disruption in the ability to provide for his/her own needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Assistance required in obtaining housing, food and/or clothing. Unable to maintain hygiene, diet, clothing, and prepare food.