Mental illness looks different for everyone, even among people with the same condition. For example, one person with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may only battle nightmares and occasional anxiety in the months or years following a traumatic event. Another person with a similar traumatic event may have nightmares, flashbacks, paranoia and debilitating anxiety. One person with bipolar disorder may have mild and more gradual shifts in their mood, while another has intense periods of mania that are more quickly followed by severe depressive episodes.
The one thing all mental illnesses have in common is that they can significantly impact a person’s overall quality of life. Depending on the specific condition, you may see impacts on your:
- Career
- Family life
- Ability to maintain friendships
- Diet or food habits
- Motivation
- Sleep habits
- Ability to distinguish reality from fiction
- Mood
- Sex drive or ability to engage in intimacy
This is far from an inclusive list. If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness, one question is most likely foremost in your mind: Can mental illness be cured? And if it can’t, why are some conditions so much harder to treat than others?
Can Mental Illness Be Cured?
In most instances, “curing” a mental illness doesn’t mean the same as curing a cold. When you cure a cold, it goes away permanently — or at least until you catch another virus. But mental disorders don’t usually work that way.
Can you cure mental illness in this context? Rarely.
A cure to mental illnesses most often means symptoms are being successfully managed through medication, therapy and other treatments. In this context, you’d be “cured” of your mental health disorder when the symptoms no longer interfere with your life.
Can disorders be cured in this second context? Almost always.
What Is a Treatment vs. A Cure?
A cure eradicates the condition and prevents it from returning without outside influence. If a doctor cures pneumonia, the patient recovers and resumes their life as usual. They could catch pneumonia again, but the initial infection is gone.
Treatment doesn’t eradicate the issue — instead, it helps the patient manage the condition and potentially overcome their challenges. A treatment plan for mental health disorders could include therapy, medication and education over a years-long period.
Some mental illnesses resurface throughout the patients’ lives like chronic pain. Treatment teaches them to challenge their thinking patterns so they don’t experience a sudden decline.
Mental Illnesses That Can Be Cured
A few forms of mental illness can be cured in the traditional sense. These include:
- Drug-induced schizophrenia. This mental illness shows all the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia but is directly caused by taking an illicit substance. Often, people will be completely cured within a few weeks of ceasing the drug that caused their symptoms.
- Brief psychotic disorder. This generally happens after a traumatic event but is different from PTSD. Instead of ongoing symptoms, hallucinations and delusions are short-lived and sometimes disappear within a month.
- Postpartum depression/anxiety. This only affects women who’ve recently given birth or, in some cases, suffered a miscarriage late in their pregnancy. Symptoms can be severe but will almost always subside within 1 to 2 years of giving birth.
Mental Illnesses That Require Lifelong Management
Most mental illnesses require lifelong management through therapy, training, medications, lifestyle changes and general support. Although this list isn’t exhaustive, a few mental illnesses that require lifelong management (and what that looks like) are discussed below.
Bipolar Disorder
Extreme mood swings between mania and depression characterize bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, people have lots of energy and feel very happy or excitable. Conversely, during depressive episodes, people may feel sad or have little to no motivation. These mood shifts occur in cycles lasting for days, weeks, months or (more rarely) years.
Management for bipolar disorder will generally include a mood-stabilizing medication like lithium. Medication may also include a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), anticonvulsant or antipsychotic. Psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy and support groups are also beneficial. If you have bipolar disorder, you may also find it helpful to keep a journal to track your mood cycles.
Depression
Depression is a mental illness characterized by ongoing low moods or feelings of loss. In men, depression sometimes presents with intense episodes of anger, while some people also state that depression feels like a lack of emotion rather than sadness. Although the cause of depression isn’t known, experts believe that genetics, a brain chemical imbalance, traumatic experiences and faulty mood regulation in the brain could all contribute.
Depression management generally includes an SSRI, which may sometimes be paired with a mood stabilizer. CBT, interpersonal therapy and psychodynamic therapy have been shown to help manage depression symptoms.
Anxiety Disorders
There are many types of anxiety disorders, each with its own symptoms. Examples include panic attack disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and other specific phobias. However, the one symptom all anxiety disorders share is that they revolve around fear or worry.
These disorders are often treated with individual therapies, support groups and antianxiety medications. SSRIs and exposure therapy may also be used in some instances.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disorder that alters the way a person feels, thinks and acts by distorting their perception of reality. In other words, people with schizophrenia have difficulty distinguishing between their hallucinations or delusions and the real world. Those with untreated schizophrenia are at a high risk for psychosis, which is a complete break from reality.
Most people with schizophrenia require ongoing medication, which most often includes antipsychotics but may sometimes include SSRIs or antianxiety medications. CBT, family therapy and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) may also be helpful.
Eating Disorders
The most commonly known eating disorders include anorexia and bulimia. Anorexia is characterized by dangerously low body weight and a fear of eating that coincides with a distorted perception of the physical self. Bulimia is characterized by binge eating episodes followed by purging through vomiting, fasting, laxatives or other methods.
Treatment can be complex, but cognitive behavioral therapy is very effective in changing how people with eating disorders view food. Medications for anxiety may also be used.
A Brief List of Other Mental Health Illnesses Requiring Ongoing Management
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Impulse control disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Personality disorders
- Dissociative disorder
The Hardest Mental Illnesses to Treat
Some conditions are harder to treat than others, often for reasons that have little to do with how severe they are.
Depression
What Makes It Difficult to Treat?
Depression is difficult to treat for several reasons. First, depression can be very isolating and its symptoms tend to be hard to recognize. It’s what therapists may refer to as an internalizing disorder, meaning that the behaviors are directed inward. It’s easier to identify a disorder with externalizing behaviors such as hostility or aggression, but internalizing behaviors are less disruptive and therefore less noticeable. Without routine screening, depression can be easy to miss.
Second, because of the nature of depression, those living with it are much less likely to seek treatment. Depression can be a drain on someone’s motivation and energy levels, making it hard to proactively seek treatment and regularly attend therapy sessions.
Finally, depression can present differently in different people. In a small study that included a little fewer than 200 women with clinical depression, only 11 percent reported psychiatric problems as their main complaint, and less than half reported experiencing any psychiatric problems. Pain-related complaints were among the most common reasons for their visits. This can make it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis, which is the first step in putting together a successful treatment plan.
Why It’s Important to Treat
Without treatment, the individual is more vulnerable to physical health issues such as muscle pain, digestive issues, and sleep loss. They’re also more likely to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, leading to even more significant physical and mental health problems.
Depression rarely resolves on its own. While it’s generally considered to be a lifelong condition, there are effective treatments that can significantly improve the individual’s quality of life.
Anxiety
What Makes It Difficult to Treat?
Among those who get treatment, about 60 percent report an improvement in their symptoms.
Anxiety is difficult to treat primarily because it’s an essential part of our genetic makeup. Nature doesn’t select for traits that make people happiest—it selects for traits that keep them alive. People are hardwired to see how certain situations could be dangerous, a predisposition that can be difficult to overcome.
Anxiety is also difficult to treat because those with this disorder may be more likely to be high achievers who prefer to tackle problems on their own. These people may be less inclined to contact a mental health care professional for help with their symptoms.
Why It’s Important to Treat
Despite the challenges with treating anxiety, effective options are available. This typically includes a combination of medication and talk therapy. Treating anxiety can help individuals prevent complications such as the avoidance that may come after recurring panic attacks. Avoidance can make it difficult for individuals to manage family and work obligations as well as other necessary tasks. Untreated anxiety is also associated with an increased risk of depression and substance use. By accessing treatment for anxiety, individuals can learn healthy ways of managing their symptoms and coping with intrusive thoughts and panic attacks.
Schizophrenia
What Makes It Difficult to Treat?
Schizophrenia is difficult to treat because of the different symptoms attached to the disease as well as the side effects of the medications commonly used to manage it. Symptoms manifest differently from one person to the next. While some people have the delusions and hallucinations most commonly associated with schizophrenia, other individuals have less obvious symptoms such as social withdrawal, lack of emotion, or enjoyment in activities or inability to respond to prompts. Individuals with this disorder may not recognize that they have a mental disorder that requires medical attention. Schizophrenia may co-occur with paranoia, depression and impaired motor function, further complicating an accurate diagnosis.
Additionally, while antipsychotics are often effective in controlling the symptoms of schizophrenia, this class of drugs works by changing the way brain chemicals behave. This is necessary for managing delusions and hallucinations. However, it also comes with unpleasant side effects such as nausea, weight gain, vision disturbances, and dizziness. These can be difficult to cope with, making it difficult for individuals to comply with their treatment plan.
Why It’s Important to Treat
Over time, schizophrenia causes a loss in brain volume, particularly in the areas involved with storing memories. Treating schizophrenia as early as possible can decrease the risk of loss and prevent further impairment. Effective treatment can also improve the quality of life for those with this disorder, helping them maintain steady employment and social connections.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are abnormal patterns of thought and behaviors that can make it difficult for the individual to function normally. There are 10 common personality disorders, each with its own symptoms and treatment options, including:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
It’s estimated that nearly one in 10 individuals are living with a personality disorder.
What Makes It Difficult to Treat?
Personality disorders are very difficult to treat simply because oftentimes, the nature of the disorder causes the individual to believe that there’s nothing to treat. Additionally, personality disorders are believed to be caused by a combination of genetics and early experiences, making them deeply ingrained in how the individual thinks and functions.
Why It’s Important to Treat
Fortunately, treatment for personality disorders is generally very effective. Targeted treatments such as social skills training, behavioral therapy, and treating co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and depression can help the individual achieve an improved quality of life.
Which Is the Most Difficult Mental Illness to Treat?
Ultimately, the worst mental disorder is the one that goes untreated. Rather than basing the severity of a disorder based on its classification, it’s important to consider each case individually based on symptoms as well as social and economic factors, medical history, and quality of life.
What Are the Consequences of Leaving Mental Disorders Untreated?
Instead of asking, “Is there a cure for mental illness?” and seeking help, many people avoid treatment altogether. Common reasons for leaving mental disorders untreated include:
- Hoping the issue will go away on its own
- Believing they don’t have the time or money for treatment
- Feeling like they should “tough it out”
- Assuming their disorder is untreatable so they shouldn’t even try
- Hoping the disorder is temporary
- Listening to incorrect advice from friends and relatives
- Not realizing they have a disorder in the first place
The consequences vary for each individual. For some, the symptoms gradually decrease as they age, especially if their mental illness was tied to a specific situation, such as grief or job loss. Other mental illnesses can get worse. The patient could feel increasingly depressed, experience more panic attacks or fall into worsening delusions.
Over time, the patient might grow so accustomed to their mental disorder that they forget what it’s like to live without depression, anxiety or delusions. They assume they perceive the world accurately and others share their viewpoint. If someone tells them otherwise, they claim the person doesn’t “get it.” People who believe they’re incurable or don’t have a disorder are much less likely to seek treatment.
Long-term untreated mental illnesses can be dangerous. The individual could lose relationships with friends, relatives and romantic partners, making them feel isolated. Losing jobs and hobbies could worsen their mental disorder. Eventually, they might experience suicidal thoughts and the desire to self-harm.
People who suspect they have mental disorders should seek treatment as soon as possible. The longer they wait, the harder it can be to change their thinking patterns. Many patients also need a long-term medication regimen to alter their brain chemistry.
Seek Help Today for Your Mental Illness
Mental illness can significantly impact your daily life and overall well-being. Regardless of whether your condition is curable, it’s essential to seek help and get the support you need. At Restore Mental Health in Deerfield Beach, we understand the impact of mental illness and how important treatment in a supportive, compassionate environment is. Take the first step on the road to mental well-being: call (877) 810-2074 or contact us today.
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