Overview
This page gives some information about mental ill health and some of the common types of conditions. More detail about the conditions is on the following pages.
(It is only a general overview of mental health. It should not be considered a detailed or full source of information.)
People can and do get better (recover) after a period of mental ill health, sometimes this can be a long slow process but recovery is possible and should be expected.
The 'Dual Diagnosis' page highlights the possible issues that having a learning disability can have when professionals attempt to diagnose some of these conditions.
Types of mental health problem
When a mental health problem is diagnosed (when a doctor confirms what the problem is) it will be into one of the following groupings detailed here. They will also share some common features.
The important thing is how the mental problem affects the individual (what difference to a person's life does it make) not the type of problem.
As stated elsewhere there does appear to be an increased likelihood of people with a learning disability developing a mental health problem (Hatton 2002). Indeed there are some specific conditions which appear to more common in this group of people.
People with a learning disability appear to be twice a likely to suffer from depression (Deb et al 2001)
Dementia is significantly common for people with Downs Syndrome with 55% of those aged 60-69 having the condition (Alzheimer's Society 2000)
Research is still ongoing as to the potential differences in signs and symptoms of mental illness between the general population and those with a learning disability.
Some of the most common conditions are dealt with in the following pages
People can and do get better (receover) after periods of mental ill health, sometimes this can be a long slow process but recovery is possible and should be expected.