Community Health Library

October 2-8 is Mental Illness Awareness Week

Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. They often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life.

Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that recovery is possible.

Mental illnesses can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income. Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan.

In addition to medication treatment, psychosocial treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups and other community services can also be components of a treatment plan and that assist with recovery. The availability of transportation, diet, exercise, sleep, friends and meaningful paid or volunteer activities contribute to overall health and wellness, including mental illness recovery.

- NAMI

Learn more at the Community Health Library:

	Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide: What You and Your Family Need to Know By David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D. Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward reclaiming your life from bipolar disorder. But if you or someone you love is struggling with the frantic highs and crushing lows of this illness, there are still many hurdles to surmount at home, at work, and in daily life. You need current information and practical problem-solving advice you can count on.
	Deeply Depressed (DVD) There is growing evidence that chronic depression is primarily a physical disease and should be treated like one. This program sheds much-needed light on vulnerability to depression, the subtle symptoms of the disease, and treatments involving psychotherapy and antidepressants such as SSRIs. Brain biochemistry and the serotonin transporter promoter gene are discussed as well, and stories of everyday people grappling with the illness express what it feels like to be clinically depressedand through treatment, the sensation of finding joy and balance seeping back into life.
	Depression Helpbook By Wayne Katon, M.D.; Evette Ludman, Ph.D.; & Gregory Simon, M.D., M.P.H. Recognizing that all depression is different—from how severe it is and what the symptoms are to how long it lasts—this book explains what causes depression, how to recognize depression, and how to make decisions about treatment. Integrating pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic approaches, it emphasizes self-care strategies that help sufferers of depression develop confidence in their ability to manage depression on a daily basis and achieve balance in their mood and everyday life, reducing the chance of recurrence.
	A Guide to Psychotherapy By Gerald Amada, Ph.D. This book is about a personal journey, an adventure that has the potential to change one's entire outlook. It is an introduction to psychotherapy that provides clear and direct answers to commonly asked questions about psychological treatment: How do I know when to enter therapy? How do I go about selecting a therapist? Does Psychotherapy really work? And more.
	Mental Health Disorders Sourcebook Edited by Amy L. Sutton Mental Health Disorders Sourcebook, Fourth Edition Provides Updated information about the prevalence of mental health disorders and their impact on children, adolescents, women, men, and older adults. It details the Symptoms and Treatments of mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder;anxiety disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder; eating, impulse control, and addiction disorders; and personality and schizophrenic disorder. Information of finding and paying for mental health treatment and tips on living with mental health disorders, locating housing and employment, and copying with stigma are also included.

Check out these websites:

Mental Illness - Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Warning Signs of Major Mental Illnesses - American Psychiatric Association


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