What is mental illness?

A mental illness is any brain disorder which causes severe disturbances in thinking, feeling and relating to other people. Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of race, age, gender, or intelligence.

A Few Common Disorders

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Disorder)

Bipolar Disorder is the chemical imbalance in the brain that causes a person to cycle between periods of frenetic activity and deep depression.

Depression

Depression is also a common brain disorder. We all experience ups and downs, but a person with clinical depression feels so sad the he or she finds it hard to function at work or school and in relationships.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia adversely affects a person’s capacity to think clearly and express feelings appropriately. Someone with schizophrenia may have terrifying thoughts and feel cut off from others.

Treatment WORKS!

During recent years we’ve learned a great deal about medications and therapy that can relieve the symptoms and suffering of diseases like the ones described above. If someone you love has a mental illness, treatment can help; and so can NAMI Memphis.