Mental Illness
Mental illness is a broad term used to describe dysfunctional behavior related to brain chemistry. Many mental illnesses respond to treatment with a combination of medical and social support, enabling people to live healthy, productive lives.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a group of serious brain disorders in which reality is interpreted abnormally. Schizophrenia results in hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. People with schizophrenia withdraw from the people and activities in the world around them, retreating into an inner world.
Contrary to popular belief, schizophrenia isn’t the same as a split personality or multiple personality. While the word “schizophrenia”: does mean “split-mind” it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking. No laboratory test for schizophrenia currently exists.
Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, requiring lifelong treatment and support. But thanks to new medications, schizophrenia symptoms can often be successfully managed. The Fairweather Lodge model has been documented as most consistently successful program helping people with schizophrenia lead productive, enjoyable lives.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a severe mental illness involving episodes of serious mania and depression. A person suffering from bipolar disorder experiences wide mood swings with periods of normal mood in between. Manic episodes are characterized by heightened energy, sharpened and unusually creative thinking, irritability and self-confidence – alternated with depressive episodes, characterized by low energy, sadness, and hopelessness.
Bipolar disorder is one of the most treatable psychiatric disorders. Crucial to treating bipolar disorder, is recognizing the symptoms and making the correct diagnosis. In recent years there has been considerable progress for diagnosing bipolar disorder.