WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS? Mental illness is not the same as mental retardation. The mentally retarded have diminished intellectual capacity, usually present since birth. Those with mental illnesses are usually of normal intelligence although they may have difficulty performing at a normal level due to their illness. Mental illnesses are neurobiological brain disorders, which are also affected by psychological and sociological factors. Depression, bipolar disorder (manic depression), schizophrenia and anxiety disorders affect approximately 20% of the population in any given year. Depression is a long term feeling of sadness and inability to cope, which affects the body and mind. Bipolar Disorder is a major mood disorder generally characterized by alternating periods of elation and depression, although it may occur in mixed or rapid-cycling states. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder whose common symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, bizarre behavior, social withdrawal, thought disturbance and apathy. Anxiety disorders include specific phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder. Anxiety refers to an unpleasant and overriding inner emotional tension that has no apparent identifiable cause. 10% of the population suffers from anxiety. Other disorders relating to personality may be so severe as to significantly affect the ability to reasonably function in society. Borderline and anti-social personality disorders are common examples.   Let’s Talk About Mental Illness FACTS: Mental Illness is an “equal opportunity” disease, not specific to any race, religion, age, educational background or income bracket. Treatment works when properly applied. One in four families will have a member that will suffer from a serious mental illness. One in four adults will experience an episode in their lifetime. Major depression and manic depression affects 6.3% of the adult population within any given one year period. Three quarters of persons with schizophrenia, which affects approximately 1% of the population develop the disease between the ages of 16 and 25. It is estimated that 12% of youth under 18 have mental, behavioral or developmental disorders. Depression is estimated to affect 2% of children and 5% of adolescents. A significant number of mentally ill persons occupy jails because of a lack of Mental Health Facilities and understanding of these illnesses. In Florida it is 23.1%. Mentally ill people are not more violent than other people when they are on medication. The mentally ill are more frequently the victims rather than the perpetrators of crime.