Mental Illness in Persons with Mental Retardation

What is mental health? Mental health is a goal for all people, including those with mental retardation, not just those having difficulties. Mental health is an essential ingredient in the quality of life. The two main aspects of mental health are emotional well-being and rewarding social and interpersonal relationships. Emotional well-being is an important part of the gift of human life. Good social and interpersonal relationships are important for a rich and fulfilling life. People who have mental retardation are not in any way handicapped with regard to these human qualities--people with mental retardation are capable of a rewarding emotional life. What is mental illness? Mental illnesses are severe disturbances of behavior, mood, thought processes and/or social and interpersonal relationships. There are many different types of mental illnesses that are seen in people with mental retardation. Some of the most common types are: • Personality Disorders. These are long-term problems in adjustment. There a number of different subtypes. These individuals might be described by one or more of the following: emotionally needy, inappropriately seeking attention, nonassertive, always getting into fights or trouble, volatile, unstable, or having a problem with anger