Mental illnesses are a major public health problem in developed and developing countries. The impact of mental illness on the patient, family and community is significant. For example, mental illnesses cause a financial burden that includes the costs of medications and hospital admissions in addition to the cost of being absent from work. The onset of mental illnesses typically occurs in adolescents and young adults, primarily in males. At schizophrenia onset women are several years older than men. Male first episodes are more frequent and more severe in the first half of life, while female ones in the second half. Men appear to have an earlier onset of mania and bipolar disorder than women.

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