ABSTRACT
The impact of mental illness on the cost of health care and productivity has been largely underestimated. In order to provide an accurate life care plan, it is important to consider the complexity of mental illness, including symptoms, treatment, and impact on functioning. This chapter provides an overview of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia. MDD is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. MDD is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes, with an absence of any hypomanic, manic, or mixed episodes. The American Psychiatric Association has established treatment guidelines for MDD. Treatment is conceptualized into three phases: the acute phase, the continuation phase, and the maintenance phase. Antidepressant medications are utilized during all phases of treatment. Commonly prescribed antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), mirtazapine, and bupropion. Symptoms associated with bipolar disorder include mania, hypomania, depressive, and mixed states.
