Disorders
Basics
Introduction to Disorders web article by Dr. Joann Roof
The DSM-IV lists 374 mental disorders. It is easy to find a label for just about anyone. Many counselors put labels on people so they can put them in a box. This person has this disorder, therefore they will behave in this way. When you put a label on someone they often begin to remake their identity with that label...
Where did all the Normal People Go? Mental Illnes Hits Half of all Americans
web article by Dr. Daniel Amen
A once-in-a-decade survey of the mental health of Americans has found that disabling mental illness is as common as such chronic diseases as heart disease and cancer -- but strikes people at a much younger age, with more lasting impact on their lives. About half of Americans will develop a mental disorder at some time in their lives, the survey of nearly 10,000 U.S. adults found -- with half of those cases starting by age 14, and three-quarters by age 24...
Depression subtopic
Suicide and Depression Q&A web article
Why do people kill themselves? The simple answer is: because they’re very sick. Healthy people do not commit suicide. More than 90% of people who commit suicide suffered from a significant psychiatric illness at their time of death. It may seem simplistic, but it's the most honest and basic answer to a complex question. Education and frank discussion are simple ways to help reduce the stigma that prevents a depressed person from seeking the help he needs...
Facts About Suicide web article
Suicide took the lives of 29,199 Americans in 1999.1
More people die from suicide than from homicide. In 1999, there were 1.7 times as many suicides as homicides. Overall, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death for all Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24...
Co-Dependent Beliefs About Relationships web article
If I do things to make myself happy the other person won't love me.
If I do things to make myself happy the other person will see me as selfish.
Good loving people are suppose to make the other person happy.
If I am myself the other person won't really love me...
The Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) web article by Sharon C. Ekleberry
The essential feature of the histrionic personality disorder is a pervasive and excessive pattern of emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious. They may be inappropriately sexually provocative, express strong emotions with an impressionistic style, and be easily influenced by others... (The best treatment for this disorder may be found in Dr. James Wilder's The Life Model web site.)
Understanding Reactive Attachment Disorder by Alexandra Lütz
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is a psychological impairment formed in the earliest years of life, initiated when an infant does not bond with his primary caregiver (generally after learning or feeling that the caregiver cannot be trusted to provide for his needs). This trauma is sometimes avoidable, as in cases of abuse and neglect, but it can also be triggered by unavoidable events in life, such as the death of a parent or a child’s unrelieved painful illness. Causes are varied but the results follow a tragic pattern...
Intermediate
Personality Disorder Information web article
Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Avoidant, Dependent, Obsessive-Compulsive...
Post-Abortion Healing Sub-topic
Gender Issues Sub-topic
Eating Disorders Sub-topic
The Real Reason Not to Use Drugs web article by Dr. Daniel Amen
People with overactive brains, such as those with bipolar or manic-depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, certain forms of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder, tend to abuse substances that calm the brain down, such as marijuana, alcohol, or opiates. People with under-active brains, such as those who have attention deficit disorder, tend to abuse stimulating drugs such as methamphetamine or cocaine. The drugs or alcohol make them feel better, so they continue to use, even though it has many other problems. It is essential to treat the underlying problems in order for them to heal from the substance abuse. Brain injuries are involved in substance abuse in far greater numbers than most people realize...
PTSD-Memory and the Brain web article Dr. Bremner
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is something of an invisible epidemic. The events underlying it are often mysterious and always unpleasant. It is certainly far more widespread than most people realize...
A Comparison of Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder
web article by Dr. Joann Roof
It is estimated that about six million people in the united states have Borderline Personality Disorder. The American Psychiatric Association did not formally recognize BPD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (a standard reference for the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric illnesses) until 1980...
Notes on Borderline, Narcissism, and Histrionic Personality Disorder web notes by Dr. Joann Roof
They don't think rationally
They have strong personalities
They operate from the premise, "I'm right -- but what if I'm not."
Narcissists and Histrionics can't believe they are wrong or they get stuck in shame and can't get back to joy...
The Object of My Affection (Narcissism) PDF by Martha Beck
Think of someone in your life who seems to have an abundance of self-satisfaction. Now think about the way you feel after an interaction with this person. If you feel warm, nourished and valued, you've probably encountered someone with healthy self-esteem. But if the conversation leaves you feeling ashamed, confused, self-doubting or invisible, break out the red flags. It's highly likely you're dealing with a narcissist...
When Love is Not Enough : A Guide to Parenting Children with RAD - Reactive Attachment Disorder book by Nancy L. Thomas
117 page guide to parenting children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and other emotional disturbances. This book, by Nancy L. Thomas, has a clear focused plan for parenting disturbed children back to health. It is filled with specialized parenting tools for parents looking for answers. If you want to make a difference in the life of a child, this method will do it. Part one of the book includes understanding RAD, its causes and high risk warning signs. Part two has the solutions, including one dozen dynamic parenting techniques put together in a workable plan with lots of how to’s. Some things parents are saying - "Your book has been the first hopeful reading that I have come across. Nancy Thomas' website
Munchausen Syndrome web article
Munchausen syndrome is a condition in which a person intentionally fakes, simulates, worsens, or self-induces an injury or illness for the main purpose of being treated like a medical patient...
Drugs web resource
(Easy to understand information about common phyciatric medications.)
These days, we have medications for just about anything, whether it's a headache or something more serious. But drugs, be they prescription, over-the-counter or sold on the street, can have unintended and harmful effects. Get informed about drugs and medicine in this section of HowStuffWorks ...
The Effects of Exercise on the Brain web article by MK McGovern
Exercise has been touted to do everything from treat depression to improve memory, with the power to cure a host of problems while preventing even more. In particular, exercise leads to the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that alleviate pain, both physical and mental. Additionally, it is one of the few ways scientists have found to generate new neurons. Much of the research done in this area has focused on running, but all types of aerobic exercise provide benefits...
Psychosis and Psychotic Symptoms:Definitions and Diagnostic Considerations PDF
This essay should help you better understand
any situation where the terms “psychosis” or “psychotic symptoms” are being used, and also
many situations where someone has been diagnosed with a mental illness that can include
psychotic symptoms.
Advanced
An Evaluation of Electroconvulsive Therapy web article by Dr. Joann Roof
Electroconvulsive Therapy or ECT, commonly referred to as shock treatment is one of the most controversial psychiatric practices. Based on the expert’s educated guesses, it is believed that somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 people undergo the treatment each year. It is practiced in most psychiatric units. Opinions of the treatment are seldom neutral. Some say it saved their lives, others say it destroyed their memory...
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV)
Index of Psychiatric Disorders web site
Psychiatric Medications Patient Information Sheets website
These medication patient information pages describe why a particular psychiatric medication is prescribed, important facts about the medication and how you should take it, along with side effects, food and drug interactions, special warnings, taking the medication during pregnancy, recommended dosage and overdose information. Almost all the psychiatric medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antianxiety medications are covered and presented in plain English... (Also has links to drug information for professionals.)
Client Resources
Freedom from Fear: Overcoming Worry and Anxiety book by Dr. Neil Anderson
Examining the root causes of fear, readers will learn how strongholds develop and find the tools to tear down the prison walls. Includes a 21–day devotional guide.
My Child Has PTSD - What Can I Do? Web article by Dr. Joann Roof
All children experience trauma. What may be devastating for one child can seem like no big deal to another. Your child’s diagnosis of PTSD doesn’t mean that he/she is weak and it doesn’t mean that you are doing a bad job of parenting. It is important for your child to have professional help to deal with the trauma but there are also some things that you as a parent can do to help your child get back to his/her normal childhood...
Her Choice to Heal: Finding Spiritual and Emotional Peace After Abortion book by Sydna Masse
We are everywhere. We are in churches. We are in shopping centers. We are in grocery stores. We are in daycare centers. We are high school dropouts. We are high school graduates. We have bachelor degrees, masters and Ph.D. degrees. We work well below our level of capability. We work at the top level of corporations and government.
We are women who have experienced abortion.
We have a secret we cannot share. If people knew the truth about us they would not like us, love us, or associate with us. We have committed a sin so horrendous we believe it is unforgivable. The unforgivable sin. The sin we carry inside our hearts. The sin we believe stamps a scarlet letter A on our forehead and soul. . . . Society is not going to punish us. We punish ourselves with self-destructive habits: drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions, suicide attempts or completions, abusive relationships.
Sydna founded a ministry Ramah International that has a lot of helpful resources.
Loving Your Body: Embracing Your True Beauty in Christ book by Dr. Deborah Newman
This freeing, life-changing book, blows the cover off the world's beauty myths and reminds readers that God accepts us and wants us to see ourselves as He does. You'll discover that developing a healthy body image begins with identifying who you are in Christ first, so you can gain acceptance of who you are physically.
Label Me Sane website
Program for withdrawing from Anti-Depressants, Benzodiazepines, Tranquilizers or Sleeping Pills?
