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Mental Disorders Help Index
INFORMATION
and ADVICE The DSM-IV (and its predecessors) uses distinct categories to classify the various psychological and mental problems. It has many uses that have helped standardize nomenclature. The writers of the DSM-IV knew that in reality, psychological problems often don't fit into neat categories, and knew that these categories don't necessarily tell much about the causes of these psychological problems. Knowing these facts, the authors attempted to make the categories "looser" than in the past. However, many people (even therapists) take these categories too literally and may conclude that one set of causes and/or treatments should match each category. (For example, someone might conclude that the same simple set of factors causes all depression or that a certain medication can cure all depression.) These people may fail to understand the extremely complex nature of human psychological functioning and the degree to which each person is truly unique. The value of the DSM-IV remains controversial. Another controversial issue that has not been settled relates to the question of how much of a certain problem is caused by genetic versus learned or environmental factors. The answers that reflect our current state of knowledge seem to indicate that certain disorders (such as schizophrenia) probably have a fairly large genetic component. The research and opinions are more varied when it comes to psychological problems such as "anxiety disorders", or "depression." The most research experts seem to think that heredity (versus environment) influences these disorders is very roughly half of the total causation. One thing is clear. If something is genetically caused, you can't change your genes. Perhaps some medication will help. However, you can change your thinking and your behavior. The very belief that something is genetically caused and there is nothing you can do about it may in itself become a self-fulfilling prophesy that keeps you from improving. A much better approach is to accept that you may have a predisposition to anxiety or depression and learn all you can about how to overcome that predisposition. There are many proven psychological techniques that can help you get control of anxiety and depression. If you have been "diagnosed" with a term like anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar, etc. try to understand causes in more meaningful terms that help you know exactly WHAT TO THINK OR DO to get better. If your therapist can't help you do that, you may want to find a new therapist. What underlying beliefs predispose you to think, feel, and act the way you do? Where did they come from and what rational beliefs would help you think, feel, and act better? What habits and actions can you change that will help? What changes can you make in the people you associate with, your environment, your job, etc. that can help? These are tangible things you can control that can add up to make a huge difference in your life. This web site has many links to resources that can help you learn how to lead a healthy, happy life even if you do not have all the biological, financial, or other resources that most people have. History is filled with examples of people who overcame problems that are probably worse than yours to go on to lead happy, productive lives. You have a choice. You can become passive and let current problems make your miserable, or you can cope and learn all you can about overcoming them and about finding health and happiness. Good luck. INTERNET
LINKS Go to the Self-Help Contents Page to get self-help information and Internet links to topics such as self-esteem, anxiety, depression, anger and aggression, interpersonal relations, etc. Also, see below:
Mental Disorders Reference Sites ***Self-help information from the American Psychological Association American Psychiatric Association **Mental Health information and links to many
sites psychcentral.com/ Dr. Grohol's Mental Health Page **** American Psychological Association: **** Internet Mental Health, Mental Disorders ** Psychiatry Information for the General Public Schizophrenia and Mental Illness http://www.mhsource.com NARSAD - National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia & Depression www.nami.org NAMI - National Alliance for the Mentally Il NAFDI - National Foundation for
Depressive Illness NMISP - National Mental Illness Screening Project Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (also see Professional Psychology-related Sites)
Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
GO TO: book_sites.htm Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS) Other student services and
student organizations may also be helpful |
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and Happiness
Home Page Free, full-length self-help manuals.
Psychologist Dr.Tom Stevens' Web Site
at www.csulb.edu/~tstevens California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Copyright 2006, Tom G. Stevens PhD URL of this web site is www.csulb.edu/~tstevens/success
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