Health Tip: Mental Disorders Are Common
-- More than 43 million American adults, 18 percent of the U.S. population, had a mental disorder in the past year, the most recent surveys cited by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) show.
These disorders -- characterized by significant changes in mood, thoughts or behavior -- often make carrying out daily activities more difficult and impair relationships with family and friends.
If you or a loved one has a mental disorder, the agency suggests:
- Don't blame yourself or the person with the disorder. It's not an "attitude problem," but a medical condition.
- Listen to the person carefully, but don't judge him or her.
- Ask gently if you can make an appointment to see a health professional. The affected person may not be able to do this.
- As worried as you may be about the affected person, avoid the temptation to argue or convince the person of a problem.
- Take the person to the emergency room if he or she voices a desire to commit suicide.
Posted: August 2017
Recommended for you