Mental Illness and Homelessness

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Mental illness and homelessness are two of sides of the same coin. Where there is a large number of mentally ill individuals in a country, there is usually a large percentage of people homeless as well. According to Brain and Behavior, roughly 25% of homeless people are mentally ill.

What is mental illness and what is homelessness?

Mental illness

Mental illness is a health condition featuring changes in emotion, thinking, behavior, or all three. Such an illness is characterized by distress and poor functioning in social and work activities. Poor mental health can make it difficult for the victim to form healthy relationships or be a productive member of society. According to the American Psychiatry Association, almost 19 percent of U.S. adults suffer from some form of mental illness.

Homelessness

Homelessness is the lack of adequate shelter for an individual or a group. While definitions vary all across the world, living on the streets isn’t the only way to be homeless. There are several situations in which one can be considered homeless, including:

• Staying with friends and family
• Staying in a bed-and-breakfast or a hostel
• Living at risk of violence
• Living in poor conditions that pose a risk to your health
• Living in overcrowded conditions
• Living with insecure tenancy

Besides mental illness, homelessness is caused by a multitude of factors. The three other most common causes of homelessness include the lack of the affordable housing, poverty, and substance abuse.

How does mental illness cause homelessness?

There is a strong correlation between mental illness and homelessness. Each one of them can be responsible for the other. The disastrous results of having a mental illness can make it difficult to hold on to home or family. On the other hand, the long-term absence of adequate shelter and the consequent difficulties can cause deterioration of mental health.

Many studies show that one-third of homeless people have a severe mental illness, usually either schizophrenia or a bipolar disorder. The prevalence of mental illness is higher among those facing chronic homelessness and homeless women.

Individuals with mental illnesses have a high chance of suffering from poverty, disassociation from society, and personal vulnerability. All these conditions can cause homelessness. Since mentally ill people cannot maintain their productivity or employment, they a have very low income. This poor financial condition makes it difficult for them to afford rent and other housing costs. They also lack support from friends and families because they tend to drive people away. Their ability to reason and judge is also impaired, thus making it difficult for them to make the right decisions.

The state of homelessness, in turn, can worsen the individual’s mental health. The anxiety that results from housing uncertainty can be detrimental, especially if it continues for a very long time. Fear and stress levels increase as well. Many homeless people turn to drugs and alcohol for relief, which doesn’t do wonders for their mental health either.

What are the most common mental illnesses among the homeless?

The most common types of mental illnesses among homeless people are affective disorders. These include depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders.

Depression

Definition

Also known as major depressive disorder, depression is a severe mental illness that has a negative effect on you think, feel, and act. Its symptoms can range from mild to severe, and they include:

• Loss of interest in things once enjoyed
• Prolonged feelings of sadness
• Change in appetite
• Increased tiredness/fatigue
• Feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate or decide
• Difficulty in sleeping regularly (either too little or too much sleep)

Statistics

According to the American Psychiatric Association, one in 15 adults suffer from depression every year. Moreover, 16.6% of the world’s population will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. On average, women are more likely to suffer from depression as compared to men. Studies suggest that one-third of women will experience at least one depressive episode in their lifetime.

Causes

There are a range of factors responsible for depression, including:

• Biochemistry: Chemical imbalances in the brain can amplify the symptoms of depression
• Genetics: Depression tends to run in families, according to studies
• Personality: Individuals with low self-esteem and susceptibility to high levels of stress are more likely to face depression
• Environment: Long-term exposure to abuse, violence, and poor conditions can have an adverse effect on mental health

Treatments

80 to 90 percent of victims of depression respond well to treatment, with almost all of them reporting experiencing some relief. Medication including antidepressants help improve the brain’s chemistry, thus helping in the treatment of depression. Other treatments include psychotherapy (talking to an expert) and electro-convulsive therapy (brief electrical stimulation of the brain while patient is under anesthesia).

Bipolar disorders

Definition

Bipolar disorders are mental disorders that can cause changes in the victim’s mood, energy, and ability to function normally. People with such disorders are characterized by intense emotional states that occur at certain times, called “mood episodes”. These episodes are further classified as either manic, hypo-manic, or depressive, based on the severity of the condition.

Statistics

Bipolar disorders affect 5.7 million adults in the USA, which is about 26% of the adult population. The average age for the onset of bipolar disorders is 25 years.

Causes

Bipolar disorders tend to run in families. Research suggests that 80 to 90 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder have a relative who either suffers from depression or bipolar disorder. Environmental factors like stressful conditions, irregular sleep, and exposure to violence can also contribute to bipolar disorders.

Treatments

Bipolar disorders are fairly treatable. Medication (mood stabilizers and antidepressants) and psychotherapy are the most common forms of treatment used in this case.

Schizophrenia

Definition

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects almost one percent of the world’s population. It is characterized by delusions, difficulty in concentrating and thinking, hallucinations, and lack of motivation. Other symptoms include difficulty in expressing emotion, seeking pleasure, and making decisions.

Statistics

Approximately 1.2% of Americans have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The onset of this mental disorder is most likely between the ages of 16 and 25. According to Mental Help, males tend to reach a peak of vulnerability between 18 and 25 years. Meanwhile, females peak between 25 and 30 years, as well as around the age of 40.

Causes

According to research, several genetic and environmental factors come into play here. Owing to the number of factors involved, researchers can’t exactly pin down specific causes yet. It is difficult to determine exact causes when there is so much variation in schizophrenic cases.

Treatments

While there isn’t  a cure for schizophrenia, anti-psychotic medication can reduce the symptoms.

Anxiety disorders

Definition

Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness and stress because of their higher intensity. They are the most common type of mental disorders, as they affect almost 30 percent of adults at some point in their lives. There are various types of anxiety disorders, with some of the more common ones as follows:

• General Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by persistent worrying and stress that interferes with the victim’s daily life. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating and sleeping, fatigue, and muscular tension
• Panic Disorder: Characterized by sweating, palpitations, trembling, fear of losing control and dying, and shortness of breath. It is a core component of recurrent panic attacks
• Social Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by significant discomfort and stress in social interactions. Individuals with this disorder have an intense fear of social situations and will either avoid it or endure great anxiety through it
• Separation Anxiety Disorder: Characterized by intense fear or anxiety about separation from the people that the victim is attached to. A person with this disorder constantly worries about losing a person close to them and may even experience nightmares about separation

Statistics

The American Psychiatric Association gives us the following statistics about American adults suffering from anxiety disorders:

• 7 to 9 percent suffer from specific phobias
• 7 percent suffer from social anxiety disorder
• 2 to 3 percent suffer from panic disorder
• 2 percent suffer from general anxiety disorder
• 1 to 2 percent are victims of separation anxiety disorder

Causes

The wide range of anxiety disorders have a range of causes, including genetic, psychological, environmental, and developmental. These disorders can also run in families.

Treatments

Victims of anxiety disorders respond well to medication and psychotherapy. The former includes anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants, while the latter includes “talk therapy” with an expert.