Mental Health Basics

Social scientists have proven that people's behavior often depends on how many others are behaving in a particular way. Parents have long been aware of this truth. “But, Mom, nobody's wearing that anymore!” is the wail that announces the... Full Answer

Malingering is feigning or grossly exaggerating physical or emotional/ psychological symptoms. In contrast, patients with medically unexplained symptoms do not feign or intentionally produce their symptoms. Full Answer

In order for something to be considered a mental illness by most mental health professionals, symptoms need to cause a person distress and/or cause impairment in functioning-i.e., a person is having trouble meeting personal, family or work expectations... Full Answer

To pursue good health and balance in our lives is an admirable goal, but there is a quiet desperation in searching the world for a perfection that is not of this world. The Fourth Instinct urges us to know what it is that makes us human -- uniquely and... Full Answer

"I felt it better to speak to God than about him," said Saint Therèse of Lisieux. Speaking to God demands solitude. We can commune with God through our communion with others. But we also long to commune with our spiritual selves directly, to seek... Full Answer

Over the course of our evolution, individuals have, since the Renaissance, been freed from preconceived definitions based on their membership in certain guilds, groups or traditions, or in the roles they have assumed in families or society. Man... Full Answer

To prepare for an appointment with your doctor or a therapist, write down when you noticed you started noticing changes in your mental health and thought or behavior patterns and what they are. Be prepared to discuss how your symptoms are affecting your... Full Answer

Depersonalization is a common symptom of many psychiatric disorders and often occurs in dangerous situations, such as assaults, accidents or serious illnesses. Depersonalization as a separate disorder is quite rare.   Full Answer

Someone who has a mental illness can also have a substance abuse problem, and  that condition is called dual diagnosis. A person with dual diagnosis may experience mood swings, extreme anger, sadness for long periods of time or start talking... Full Answer

Although most people with mental health problems never need hospitalization, sometimes it's necessary for people with severe mental illness. It's usually needed when the person can't manage the activities of daily living, such as eating properly and... Full Answer