Seriously mentally ill persons - Sometimes used to describe adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses. Another term often used is individuals with psychiatric disabilities.

Severely Mentally Ill

Severe Mental Impairment. See Severe Multiple Impairment.

Serious Mental Illness. An adult disorder that cannot be cured and causes difficulty with daily living (taking care of themselves), has problems with relationships, difficulty concentrating, and adapting to change. The illness is expected to last at least 12 months. Examples: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.

Serious mental illness. The National Advisory Mental Health Council defines serious mental illness to include disorders with psychotic symptoms such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic depressive disorder, and autism, as well as severe forms of other disorders such as major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.