Overhead #25
Psychological Disabilities:
What is Serious Mental Illness?
- Schizophrenia & mood disorders are the two most prevalent forms
- Structural/biochemical characteristics in the brain differ from non-disabled
- Usually, although not always, a chronic disease
- This disability is biological & not 'a matter of choice'
- Symptoms often controlled with medication & other treatments; much like diabetes
- People with mental illness have skills, experiences & abilities not affected