This is a non professional introduction to mental illness with the sole
goal of promoting research in writing. I am not a psychological
professional. The links provided were found on-line. This is not a
diagnostic tool. It is not an alternative to professional medical
treatment nor is it an alternative to formal research. I enjoy psychology. I am a people watcher and enjoy reading the explanations behind behaviors. What gets me more then any other errors in writing is the portrayal of psychological issues. The media causes some of the misconceptions. I hope to present some basic information to provide a less sensational view on mental illnesses. There is a local psychiatric clinic here named Janet Wattles. (http://www.janetwattles.org/adult.asp) I went there looking for a quote, from a reliable source, on the percentage of people believed to be affected by a mental illness. This was easy to find. “One in five people suffers from a mental illness, meaning it affects people in all walks of life. Mental illnesses are a result of a brain disorder and are treatable.” Those two sentences, and the way they are worded, say so much. Twenty percent of the population is believed to have some type of psychological problem. Problems vary from minor anxiety to serious phobias. Personal views on mental illness and treatment often interfere with individuals, who need treatment, seeking it. I spend time on Yahoo Answers. It has a section for mental health questions. Depression is the most common possibility for symptoms presented on the forum. Individuals want to “make it go away.” I seen multiple questions a day on “how to treat depression myself.” That illuminates a major misconception with mental illnesses. While some psychological problems are not caused by physical issues in the brain, some are. Depression and bipolar are described as chemical imbalances in the brain. Numerous misconceptions arise from this. One question, I answered, asked “why if it’s a chemical imbalance do the doctors not fix the chemicals that are imbalanced.” Brain science is not prescribing an antibiotic or providing a band aid. In addition to misunderstandings are people with views that contradict medical science (and common sense.) Everything from finding God, will power and positive thinking, prayer, and herbs such as St. John’s Wort, are recommended to treat depression, in the very least, without professional medical review. That is simply snake oil. Most replies I give on the Mental Health forum involve seeking professional medical advice/treatment. For those who want to treat it themselves, I provide an analogy. If you broke your leg, would you attempt to treat the broken leg yourself, or seek immediate, professional medical treatment? The relationship between depression and a broken leg might not be immediately apparent. Both are incredibly painful. Both have physical causes. The depression, if not treated, can result in death (ie suicide.) That is why the professional medical advice/treatment is necessary. With the above in mind, I am going to list some psychological problems and some links to get a researcher started. For ADD/ADHD, I am going to toss in an alternative diagnosis. It is not medically sound, and falls under my view of snake oil, but it does make for a good story concept. The information included here is primarily from WebMD. I recommend doing additional research. There are varying viewpoints on the causes and treatment of mental illnesses. It is good to know at least some variation. ADD/ADHD: There have been articles on children, particularly boys, who have been diagnosed with this condition to allow medication because the children are simply very active children. The medication makes them easier to deal with although should not have been administered. -ADHD symptoms. http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-symptoms (I will add that I understand bipolar and ADD are often mistook for each other, especially depending on the age of the individual.) -ADHD in teenagers: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-teens -ADHD wikipedia: This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADHD -Indigo Children: This is a concept that views ADD/ADHD and even Autism in a different light. It is not a medical viewpoint. I post it because it has value as a story concept and a view into people who want their children to be special instead of mentally ill. This is the less then polite view: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children. This is the website for the movement. Note there is a business behind it. http://www.indigochild.com/. Autism: This is not one but multiple conditions called Autism Spectrum Disorders. -Autism symptoms: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-symptoms. For additional information, simply drop “autism symptoms” into a search engine. -High Functioning Autism: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/high-functioning-autism -Asperger’s Syndrome: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-topic-overview -Autistic Savant (previously and inappropriately called “idiot savant.”) (See Savant Syndrome) http://www.autism.com/families/problems/savant.htm http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/savant_articles/autistic_savant -Autism Treatment: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/autism-treatment-overview -Gluten-free/Casein-Free diet: http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/gluten-free-casein-free-diets-for-autism -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism Bipolar -Describes bipolar. Please note that bipolar individuals do not have to have ALL symptoms to be considered bipolar. http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/what-is-bipolar-disorder -Bipolar symptoms vary. There are variations in symptom severity. Some bipolar individuals have depression or mania episodes that lasts days, weeks and even months. Some bipolar individuals rapid cycle and can have these symptom variations multiple times a day. (I have not seen much on this version, but it’s the type I have.) Drop “bipolar checklist” into a search engine for various lists. -Bipolar II. This is one of the versions. This includes information specific to this variation and basic statistical information. http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-2-disorder -Bipolar in children. (I will add that I understand bipolar and ADD are often mistook for each other, especially depending on the age of the individual.) http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/tc/bipolar-disorder-in-childhood-and-adolescence-topic-overview -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder Depression -Describes depression and its link to other psychological problems. http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/link-to-other-mental-illnesses -Depression symptoms vary. Drop “depression checklist” into a search engine for various lists. http://www.webmd.com/depression/symptoms-depression -Depression in children and teenagers. Please note that treatment suitable for adults is not necessarily suitable for those under eighteen. Some medications have been associated with psychotic episodes in those under eighteen. http://www.webmd.com/depression/tc/depression-in-childhood-and-adolescence-what-happens -Please note that Bipolar can be mistook for depression if the manic episodes are not obvious. If a bipolar patient is prescribed antidepressants, the effects can be rather dramatic. (I know from experience.) -Postpartum Depression is a condition that develops after the completion of a pregnancy. -Hypothyroidism: I mention this because it can be mistook for depression because of similar symptoms. A blood test should be administered prior to depression medication being prescribed to avoid the negative reaction that occurs if someone with hypothyroidism is taking antidepressants. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood) Paranoia -This is a condition is which a person believes that someone specifically or people in general are out to get them. It varies and can be associated with various conditions. -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranoia Personality Disorders Types and Symptoms -Borderline Personality Disorder: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/borderline-personality-disorder-topic-overview (Note this can be confused with Bipolar and it can be a separate condition for a bipolar patient.) -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. This is written is rather clinical language, but has information on a variety of personality disorders that I could not find on WebMD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personality_disorders Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (unsure if the reclassification as a "syndrome" opposed to a "disorder" actually happened) -PTSS (or PTSD) is also know as shell shock. It is generally viewed as something people have after being in war zone. That is not completely accurate. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/post-traumatic-stress-disorder -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_traumatic_stress Savant Syndrome: -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autistic_Savant -Information from another source: http://www.wisconsinmedicalsociety.org/savant_syndrome/frequently_asked_questions Schizophrenia: I ask people to please be careful and respectful with this condition. It is one mental illness with a major social stigma. I have a very good friend who is schizophrenic. He is a wonderful person. He simply sees the world through very different eyes. He does not wear tin foil on his head to keep the CIA satellites from using mind control. (That is a reference to paranoid beliefs and not a personal belief that the CIA can do that.) -Symptoms: http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/schizophrenia-symptoms -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia Self Injury: This is an unhealthy emotional release. While I understand it is more common in teenage females, I have seen it in a teenage male and an adult male. http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/cutting-self-injury -This information looks promising. Please remember that wikipedia is written by random people and is not a reliable resource in general. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_Injury Notes: Self-Medication is when a person drinks alcohol or takes illegal drugs, including prescription drugs he/she has not been prescribed, in an attempt to cope with the symptoms of a psychological problem. |