When undergoing treatment, people with severe mental illnesses are no more dangerous than the general population. When untreated, this is no longer the case. There are approximately 1,000 homicides - among the estimated 20,000 total homicides in the U.S. - committed each year by people with untreated schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness. According to a 1994 Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, "Murder in Families," 4.

Suicide is the number one cause of premature death among people with schizophrenia, with an estimated 10 percent to 13 percent killing themselves. Suicide is even more pervasive in individuals with bipolar disorder, with 15 percent to 17 percent taking their own lives. The extreme depression and psychoses that can result due to lack of treatment are the usual causes of death. These suicides rates can be compared to the general population, which is somewhere around 1 percent. See similar questions...

Again the answer is “of course”. In fact I have found, working with hundreds of people with mental health issues, that the greater difficulty with them is that they are too honest. See similar questions...

Yes -- almost every mental illness has some form of treatment. For some it's medication, for others it's therapy; often, it's a combination of both. Different people may have different reactions to the same treatment, so sometimes people must try several different things before finding something that works. Not all kinds of mental illness can be permanently 'cured'; but almost all can be treated so that the person can live a happier and more productive life. See similar questions...

Like a physical illness such as the flu, medication may be prescribed for mental illness as well. Your doctor or psychiatrist will work closely with you to find the best treatment available. There are lots of different medications available since each of us is different. Please click here to read more information about different medications or ask questions of a psychiatric pharmacist. See similar questions...

Benzodiazepines may be useful, in low doses, for patients with schizophrenia who are beginning to show signs of relapse and may help to avoid the necessity of major increases in neuroleptic medication. They may also be useful in treating mania. See similar questions...

Mental illness is a health problem that can change the way a person thinks, feels, makes decisions, deals with others, or copes with everyday life. Someone with a mental illness may experience a number of problems that may make it difficult for them to lead a normal life. See similar questions...

Yes. Mental illness can strike anyone, no matter what age, race, or economic status. That is why it is important for people to know that mental illness is common and help is easily available. People with mental illnesses are not alone. See similar questions...

Mental illness is increasingly recognized as a serious and growing problem. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians, close to six million, will develop a mental illness at some time in their lives. Many more individuals such as family, friends and colleagues are also affected. We can say for sure that at least one percent of a population is likely to have a serious and persistent mental illness at any given time. This is equal to about 300,000 Canadians at any given time. See similar questions...

Of course they can, provided that they are not currently taking tranquilizing type medication. If this is needed for a short while it may be better to give them different duties for those few days, but this is no different to a person who has a sore back and are given lighter duties until their back heals. There are other things you can do about Mental Health to ensure that your OH&S standards are high and your premiums are lowered. See similar questions...

In such cases, you may want to have your qualified and licensed therapist to attend with you. There is not extra charge. Otherwise, simply consult with them before attending. Absolutely! Family Constellations will assist to in connecting to who you are and your roots, therefore providing a path of healing. Many adoptees have attended these workshops with many reporting positive results that are life changing. See similar questions...

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, state and local government activities, public accommodations, public transportation, telecommunications, and public services. It was signed into law by President George Bush on July 26, 1990. Find out more... The information available on and through the NAMITexas. See similar questions...

There are many different reasons someone may have a mental illness. Mental illness could be caused by something physical, such as an injury to your head or an infection that attacks your brain. It could also by caused by your surroundings, for example if you have experienced abuse or another extremely upsetting event. For many other people, mental illness is caused by their genes. See similar questions...

Millions of people suffer various types of mental dis-ease. The National Institutes of Mental Health classifies mood disorders; panic disorders; agoraphobia; anxiety disorders; asperger's (ASD's) eating disorders; ADHD; suicide; schizophrenia; social phobias; alsheimers' and autism all under the umbrella of mental disorders. See similar questions...

My big brother, Tom, has challenges beyond my understanding. He struggles with schizoaffective disorder. Although I've never looked up his "diagnosis" in the official record of mental illnesses, the DSM, I know he has problems. I know this by his fixations on seemingly benign things that happened 20 years ago. Or the threats he might make from time to time to family members who love him. See similar questions...

Only your physician can advise you about stopping or changing your medication. Never suddenly stop taking medicine yourself, as you might suffer serious withdrawal effects. You may have heard about some drug recalls. You can get more information about drug recalls by clicking here. Some people return from military service suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other emotional distress. Only a psychiatrist can make an accurate diagnosis. See similar questions...

Absolutely!!!!! And this may very well be an understatement. Many people who have mental illness are extremely intelligent and creative. Many studies are currently underway into why it is that so many geniuses, artists, scientists, mathematicians etc have mental illness. The other thing to remember is that people who are given employment and are supported in their health feel that they have something to prove. See similar questions...

No. People with a mental illness are more likely to be the victims, rather than the perpetrators of violence. See similar questions...

Usually this is not the best long term option for the work place or the person experiencing mental health concerns. The study undertaken by Beyondblue (see Links page) points out that very often the best thing for a speedy recovery and to ensure that you do not loose a valuable employee is to keep the person at work and in their usual social environment. See similar questions...