mental illnesses listed in DSM
that “resulted in functional impairment which substantially interferes with or
limits one or more major life activities.” (CMHS 1999)
By all accounts, serious mental illnesses include “schizophrenia-spectrum disorders,” “severe bipolar disorder,” and “severe major depression” as specifically and narrowly defined in DSM. People with those disorders comprise the bulk of those with serious mental illness. However, when other mental illnesses cause significant functional impairment they also count as a serious mental illness.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, serious mental illness is relatively rare, affecting only 5% of the population over 18. Serious mental illness includes schizophrenia; the subset of major depression called “severe, major depression”; the subset of bipolar disorder classified as “severe” and a few other disorders.
Schizophrenia (NIMH defines all schizophrenia as “severe”): 1.1% of the population (FN 1)
The subset of bipolar disorder classified as “severe”: 2.2% of the population (FN 2)
The subset of major depression called “severe, major depression”: 2.0% of the population (FN 3)
Therefore total “severe” mental illness in adults by diagnosis: 5.3% of the population (FN 4)
US mental health spending and mental health non-profits focus almost exclusively on people who do not have serious mental illness, rather than those who do. This is the single major problem with the US mental health system. Money is not lacking. Prioritization is.
