Disorders

Patients & Families

Psychiatric disorders can be very draining on those who have the disease and their families. People with psychiatric disorders often experience difficulties functioning in various aspects of their lives, such as work, school, family life, etc. As a result, the person and family members may assume new and unfamiliar roles. It is important to seek information, obtain medical assistance from a qualified specialist, and develop support systems. For information on various disorders, types of specialists, local support groups, or related questions, call Laura Terio, LCSW, NARSAD's Resources and Information, 800-829-8289. You can also click here.

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms related to a psychiatric disorder, you should consult a psychiatrist immediately. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that specialize in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, and should make the final diagnosis. A physical exam should be conducted and a medical history taken to ensure there are no other possible causes of symptoms. Diagnoses are made based on a thorough psychiatric interview of the person and family members. Currently, there are no medical tests for psychiatric disorders. They are diagnosed by the existence and duration of signs and symptoms, and whether significant impairment exists in areas such as family and social relationships, employment and education.

It is important to talk with your doctor regarding your disorder and possible treatments. Whether you are working with a doctor or a team of doctors, it is important for you and your family members/significant others to be actively involved in the treatment plan, including the discussion of any side effects associated with medications that may be prescribed.

 

 

 

"Healthy Minds" webcasts: Season 1

"Healthy Minds" has been honored with four prestigious Telly Awards, which recognize the very best local, regional, and cable television programs, as well as video and film productions.

Healthy Minds Episode 5: Adolescents and Antidepressants:

Are we medicating our children appropriately? A close examination of diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues in adolescents.

Healthy Minds Episode 6: Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):

Experts bring us the latest in symptoms, causes and treatments of ADHD, while parents and teachers talk about ways of coping and getting help.


Healthy Minds Episode 3: Chemical Dependency:

Research and scientific evidence debunk the long-held mistaken beliefs about drug abuse and addiction, showing that addiction is a chronic, relapsing and treatable disease.

Healthy Minds Episode 12: Suicide Prevention:

A closer look at suicide -- the likely causes, its warning signs, trends in suicide rates and recent treatment advances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a sample of the questions we often receive on our Infoline.  If you have questions, call us at 1-800-829-8289 or e-mail info@narsad.org

Q: What are the chances my child will develop schizophrenia?

A: One possible cause of schizophrenia may be heredity, or genetics. Adoption studies have shown that children born to a schizophrenic mother, but reared in a non-schizophrenic adoptive home, become schizophrenic at the same rate as those reared by the biological mother. These studies established that schizophrenia is heritable. However, the rate at which offspring of schizophrenic mothers become schizophrenic is only about 6% - 8%, indicating that many other factors, particularly environmental, play a role in the appearance of this illness. More than one gene may predispose people to schizophrenia, but there is currently no reliable way to predict whether a given person will develop the disease. Below is a general outline of the genetic probability of schizophrenia.

• General population: .6% - 1%
• Brother or sister has schizophrenia: 6%
• One parent has schizophrenia: 6% - 8 %
• Fraternal twin has schizophrenia: 10%
• Both parents have schizophrenia: 39 - 46%
• Identical twin has schizophrenia: 50%
• One grandparent has schizophrenia: 4% 

Q: What is the difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder?

A: Schizoaffective is a disorder in which a person experiences symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, or negative symptoms (decreased energy, social withdrawal, etc.), while, during the same time period, experiences a major depressive, manic, or mixed episode. A person must experience these symptoms for at least one month and have at least a two week period with schizophrenic symptoms without the mood component. In contrast, schizophrenia is diagnosed if mood aspects are not present, there is a major disturbance in ability to work, in interpersonal relations or in self care, and if the condition continues for more than six months.

Q: What can I do if my family member refuses to take his/her medication?

A: This is one of the most frustrating problems families may experience. It may be hard to understand why someone would refuse to take medication when the necessity of doing so seems so obvious to everyone else. Patients with psychiatric disorders refuse medications for a variety of reasons, including side effects, lack of awareness of the illness or based on delusional beliefs. I Am Not Sick - I Don't Need Help by Xavier Amador is an excellent guide for families dealing with this potentially critical dilemma.

Q: How can I find out about the newest medications?

A: The summer issue of NARSAD's free quarterly Research Newsletter includes an article on new medications in development. Throughout the year, in the same publication, new medications recently approved by the FDA are highlighted. If you would like to subscribe to this free publication please send your name and address to info@narsad.org, or call the NARSAD Infoline at 800-829-8289.

Q: How can I participate in a clinical trial?

A: Please contact the NARSAD Infoline at 800-829-8289.

Q: Are the symptoms of depression the same in adults and children?

A: Up to 2.5 percent of children and up to 8.3 percent of adolescents in the U.S. suffer from depression. The diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents are the same as they are for adults. However, recognition and diagnosis may be more difficult in youth. The way symptoms are expressed varies with the developmental stage of the youngster. Children and young adolescents with depression may have difficulty in properly identifying and describing their emotions. Therefore, instead of communicating how bad they feel, they may act out and be irritable toward others, which may be interpreted simply as misbehavior. Signs that might be associated with depression in children and adolescents:

• Frequent vague, non-specific physical complaints such as headaches, muscle aches, stomachaches or tiredness
• Frequent absences from school or poor performance in school
• Talk of or efforts to run away from home
• Outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability, or crying
• Being bored
• Lack of interest in playing with friends
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Social isolation, poor communication
• Fear of death
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
• Increased irritability, anger, or hostility
• Reckless behavior
• Difficulty with relationships
• Persistent sad or irritable mood
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Significant change in appetite or body weight
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
• Difficulty concentrating
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Contact a physician if you feel your child may be experiencing depression.

More questions? Call the NARSAD Infoline at 1-800-829-8289 or ...info@narsad.org

Shopping for the holidays online?

Helping your favorite cause has never been easier. Browse our recommended reading and use the Amazon.com tool to shop.
When you visit Amazon.com through the NARSAD Web site, a portion of your sale will benefit our organization. Start your shopping here to help make a bigger difference this holiday season.

Recommended Reading

“I Think I Scared Her”
Listening to Brooke Katz discuss the challenges of living with schizoaffective disorder can leave you with a host of overwhelming feelings. But most importantly, you’ll be impressed with this 27-year-old Boston nurse’s stunning resolve to not let her illness get in the way of living a fulfilled life.

The book is available on Amazon.com for $20.99, plus S&H.

A Moving Book You Will Want to Read
Gwill Newman, NARSAD's very first president, has published a memoir, "My Son's Name Was Fred" -- a beautiful, moving and informative account of raising a son who developed schizophrenia. Ms. Newman, in her search for answers to her son's short life, writes passionately of the onset of his mental illness, how it changed the lives of everyone in their family, and the disease's tragic consequences for Fred.

The book is available from NARSAD for $19.99 plus S&H of $5 (USD).

Bipolar Disorder
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness, Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D.

The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, David J. Miklowitz, Ph.D.

New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder : Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide to the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions, Including: Proper Diagnosis of Depression & Manic-Depressive, Jan Fawcett, et al.

Touched with Fire: Manic Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament, Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder
The Broken Mirror: Understanding and Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Katharine A. Phillips, M.D., Oxford University Press, 1996.

Depression
Overcoming Depression, 3rd Edition, Dimitri Papolos, M.D.

Understanding Depression: What We Know and What You Can Do About It, J. Raymond DePaulo, et al.

Medications
A Guide to Treatments That Work: Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs, Jack Gorman, M.D.

Schizophrenia
Surviving Schizophrenia: A manual for families, consumers and providers (fourth edition), E. Fuller Torrey, M.D.

Understanding Schizophrenia, A Guide to the New Research on Causes and Treatment, Richard S.E. Keefe, Philip D. Harvey.

Schizophrenia/Bipolar Disorder
I am Not Sick I Don’t Need Help!, Dr. Xavier Amador.

Schizophrenia and Manic-Depressive Disorder, The biological roots of mental illness as revealed by the landmark study of identical twins, E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., Ann E. Bowler, M.S., Edward H. Taylor, Ph.D., Irving I. Gottesman, Ph.D.

The book is available from NARSAD for $19.99, plus shipping and handling of $5 (U.S.). To order, call NARSAD at (800) 829-8289. An order form will be available soon.

Suicide
Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide, Kay Redfield Jamison

About children and adolescents:

Adolescent Depression
More Than Moody, Recognizing and Treating Adolescent Depression, Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D.

Childhood Bipolar Disorder
The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder, Demitri Papolos, M.D., Janice Papolos

Medication
Child Psychopharmacology, Timothy Walsh, M.D.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
The Boy Who Couldn't Stop Washing: The Experience and Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Judith Rapoport, M.D., Penguin Books, Signet Division, 1991