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"If the national mental illness of the United States is megalomania, that of Canada is paranoid schizophrenia." Margaret Atwood, The Journals of Susanna Moodie, 1970 |
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Through research in basic neuroscience, and behavioral science, and genetics we can gain an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying thought, emotion, and behavior--and an understanding of what goes wrong in the brain in mental illness. In itself this information will give us profound insights into ourselves as a species, but we must, at the same time, hasten the translation of this basic knowledge into clinical research that will lead to better treatments that ultimately must be effective in our complex world with its diverse populations and evolving health care systems.
The stakes for our Nation are high. According to the landmark "Global Burden of Disease" study, commissioned by the World Health Organization and the World Bank, mental disorders represent four of the ten leading causes of disability for persons age 5 and older. Among "developed" nations, including the United States, major depression is the leading cause of disability. Also near the top of these rankings are manic-depressive illness, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Mental disorders also are tragic contributors to mortality, with suicide perennially representing one of the leading preventable causes of death in the United States and worldwide.
Grim as they are, such statistics do not capture fully the costs of mental illness. Mental disorders often strike early in life, during childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Because mental disorders may have severe symptoms, and often run a chronic or recurrent course, they are profoundly destructive, not only to life and productivity, but to the well being of families, causing immeasurable suffering to affected individuals and their loved ones.
Fortunately, research has given us effective treatments for many mental disorders. An array of safe and potent medications and psychosocial interventions, typically used in combination, permit us to treat schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, major depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental illnesses. We recognize, however, that our successes to date are far from complete. As is true of treatments for most serious chronic illnesses that afflict humanity, current treatments for mental disorders control symptoms but do not cure the disorder. Even with state-of-the-science treatments, residual symptoms and recurrent episodes of illness are the rule. Many treatments, moreover, have unacceptably serious side effects.
Especially urgent needs exist in the critical area of childhood mental disorders. At present, we lack the full knowledge we need to make diagnoses with certainty, and we lack treatments that have been validated for the particular needs of children and adolescents. Yet, clearly, the often unrecognized and untreated symptoms of mental illness have a profound, long-term impact on the child's developing brain and his or her family, social, and academic interactions. Gaining the information needed to recognize promptly and accurately, treat safely and effectively, and, when possible, prevent long-term mental disorders is critical for children and their families and for the future of our Nation.
Find out more about NIMH by clicking HERE
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