The document discusses understanding mental illness diagnoses. It notes that 25% of Americans have a mental illness diagnosis and that understanding various mental illnesses is important for treatment. It explains that diagnosing mental illness is a complex process that may involve multiple sessions and tests. While symptoms can overlap, diagnosis is performed by licensed professionals. The document outlines that mental illness impacts thinking, mood, and relationships and has multiple potential causes including genetics, environment, and life experiences. Recovery is possible, especially with early treatment, and a diagnosis is not a label for the person. Treatment options can include various therapies and medications.

1. UNDERSTANDING YOUR
MENTAL ILLNESS DIAGNOSIS
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2. PRESENTED BY
CATHERINE FALKENHAGEN, MA, MFT/ATR TRAINEE
HUMAN BEHAVIOR INSTITUTE
LAS VEGAS, NV
2016
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3. MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE US
 25% of Americans have a mental illness diagnosis
 Mental illness symptoms are often misunderstood
 A significant amount of false information and stereotypes exist about people
with mental illnesses
 Understanding mental illness in its various forms is the best
way to start treatment of your mental illness diagnosis
(PsychGuides, 2016)
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4. UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS
Diagnosing mental illness ….
 is a complex process
 may include various tests
 may require more than one session
 symptoms may overlap in different diagnosis
 is performed by licensed professionals in the mental health field
(PsychGuides, 2016)
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5. WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?
 A condition that impacts a person's thinking, feeling or mood and may affect
his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis.
 Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same
diagnosis.
 A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event. Research suggests
multiple, interlinking causes.
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6. WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?
 Genetics, environment and lifestyle combine to influence whether someone
develops a mental health condition. A stressful job or home life makes some
people more susceptible, as do traumatic life events like being the victim of a
crime.
 Biochemical processes and circuits as well as basic brain structure may play a
role too.
(NAMI, 2016)
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7. RECOVERY IN MENTAL ILLNESS
Recovery, including meaningful roles in social life, school and
work, is possible, especially when you start treatment early
and play a strong role in your own recovery process
(NAMI, 2016)
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8. A DIAGNOSIS IS NOT A LABEL
There is MORE to you than your mental illness diagnosis.
The mental illness diagnosis helps your treatment team
provide you with appropriate treatment.
You are a PERSON not a LABEL.
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9. TREATING MENTAL ILLNESS
 Treatment may include various types of therapy including:
 Psychotherapy (individual or group talk therapy)
 Art Therapy
 Music Therapy
 Medication
 The length of time to treat a mental illness varies
 Short-term (weeks)
 Long-term (months)
 Types of treatment and medications may change based on individual’s responses
(PsychGuides, 2016)
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10. RELIABLE RESOURCES
 NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness Southern Nevada: www.namisouthernnevada.org
 International Bipolar Foundation: www.ibpf.org
 Anxiety and Depression Association of America: http://www.adaa.org
 Attention Deficit Disorder Association: http://www.add.org
 International Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: http://iocdf.org
 Schizophrenia.com: http://schizophrenia.com
 Suicide Prevention Resource Center: http://sprc.org
 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: http://www.samhsa.gov
 211.org (find local resources/help): http://211.org
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11. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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