The face of mental illness can sometimes be masked or hidden. For that reason the extent of the breadth and depth of the illness may seem less prevalent than what it really is. All too often it is stigmatized as a disease that shouldn't be talked about or dealt with openly. .
Mental illness is a psychiatric disorder and the study of it is called Psychopathology. Many illnesses and dependencies are classified as mental disorders. From alcoholism, drug dependence, pedophilia, depression, schizophrenia, antisocial behavior to multiple personality disorder. .
Having a mental illness can severely affect an individual's life and prevents that individual from holding down a job, attending school or even maintaining a personal relationship. The hidden face of mental illness creates an illusion that it only affects people on the fringe of society. In fact, a mental illness does not discriminate. It can effect everybody regardless of age, race, sex, or ethnic background.
The symptoms of mental illness vary from person to person. Some patients have Schizophrenia and they suffer from hearing voices that tell them to do things that will often harm themselves or others. A common symptom is that of Depression. This illness can and does effect a vast majority of people but from varying degrees of mildness to severe depression. Patients are often tired, have no appetite, no desire or ambition. The opposite can also be said. Some people overeat, or find that they cannot sleep. In severe cases most depressed people often think of or actually attempt suicide.
For those individuals that suffer from a mental illness, they often face many other social discriminations that add to the already troubling burden that they are faced with. People oftentimes make fun of the ill. They are easy targets to discriminate against because of their already vulnerable state. Finding a job when you suffer from a mental illness is a daunting task.