Schizophrenia and mental illness in Medway- research

Schizophrenia in Medway

Adults with mental health problems are one of the most socially excluded groups in society. A National Survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimates that one in four adults will experience some form of mental health problems at some point in their lives. There are two main categories of mental illness:

  

§  ‘common mental illness’ [Depression, Anxiety] prevalence estimate is 1-4 (from National Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, Meltzer 2001). 

§  ‘severe and enduring mental illness’. [schizophrenia (psychosis) and bi-polar disorder.](prevalence is 3 per 1000, Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry).

People with mental illness experience higher rates of morbidity and have a lower life expectancy then those without mental illness. People with chronic physical health problems are also more likely to experience mental health problems.

Mental health problems impact on individuals, families, communities and society as a whole, with immense social and financial costs. Mental health problems contribute a higher percentage of total disability adjusted life years in the UK than any other chronic illness (26.6% in 2004, compared to CVD 16.2%, cancer 15.6% and respiratory illnesses 8.3%) (WHO 2009). Recent estimates put the full cost of mental health problems in England at £105.2 billion, the majority due to the negative impact on the quality of life for individuals with mental health problems (Centre for Mental Health 2010). Mental illness accounts for about 11% of total NHS spend. *

*Source from Kent and Medway public health observatory. 

Schizophrenia or is a mental disorder characterized by problems with thought processes and by poor emotional responses. Common symptoms are delusions including paranoia and auditory hallucinations, disorganized thinking reflected in speech, and a lack of emotional intelligence. It is accompanied by significant social or vocational dysfunction. The onset of symptoms typically occurs in young adulthood, with a global lifetime prevalence of about 0.3–0.7%. Diagnosis is based on observed behavior and the patient's reported experiences.*

*Source Wikipedia.