It can strike at any age, but most often between ages 16 and 25. Schizophrenia is not to be confused with split personality, a rare and very different disorder. They represent the most common and treatable of the psychiatric disorders. Each year 11.2 million Americans suffer from a depressive illness. This disorder is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities.
Serious depression is a major public health problem.
Severe mental illnesses are more common than diabetes, cancer or heart disease. One's thinking, feeling and relating are disrupted, seriously reducing the ability to live a normal life. All family members are affected. Development of new and better medications are improving the lives of many severely ill people, enabling them to go on to lead productive lives. They are not caused by poor parenting or weak character.