| Abstract: | ![]()
Reviews research and argues that new mental health policy and programs are needed to deal with the major mental disorders (schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder). Data show that many of the persons who are afflicted with these disorders continue to suffer throughout their adult lives, despite treatment. Not only do these individuals present all of the symptoms and social impairments usually associated with the major disorders, they are also at increased risk for premature death, substance abuse/dependence, criminality, violence, homelessness, and infectious disease. Two findings suggest that prevention may be possible: (1) many of the children at risk for the major mental disorders can be identified by their family history of mental disorder; and (2) non-genetic factors, biological and/or psychosocial, can limit the expression of the hereditary factors associated with each of these disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
