African Americans and Mental Health

1. The most common mental health illnesses in the African American Community. African Americans and Mental Health

2. Schizophrenia • A severe and disabling brain disorder that causes people to hear voices other people don't hear • Schizophrenia affects approximately 3 million people in the U.S. • African Americans are three times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than whites. • Once diagnosed with schizophrenia African Americans are more likely than Whites to be hospitalized and to receive higher doses of medication.

3. Bipolar Disorder • A brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks • Many African Americans with bipolar disorder are first misdiagnosed with schizophrenia • African Americans have historically been very underrepresented in advocacy organizations like DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

4. Panic Disorder • Repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes and sometimes longer. Panic disorder is characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger • African Americans report a higher mean number of symptoms during their worst episodes of panic disorder than their white counterparts • African Americans reported being more dissatisfied with social supports for coping with their panic disorder

5. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder • A Brain disorder that causes difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity) • African American children are less likely to be treated for ADHD even after receiving a diagnosis when compared to their Caucasian counterparts. • African Americans may sometimes have false beliefs about the cause of ADHD. For example, many believe it to be caused by the consumption of too much sugar.

6. Personality Disorders • Major depression characterized by persistently sad, hopeless and worthless feelings. • African Americans experience greater emotional dysregulation but fewer self-harming behaviors than Whites suffering from PD. • Because African Americas express symptoms of emotional distress differently than other races, there is a high percentage of misdiagnosed PD.

7. Other Statistics • African Americans are less likely than other racial groups to seek mental health treatment. • African Americans are underrepresented in most mental health services. In general, minorities have less access and availability of mental health services. • The death rate from suicide for African American men almost four times that for African American women. • Racism continues to have an impact on the mental health of African Americans.