Unfortunately America’s mental health system has not caught up with science, and only a few states and counties offer adequate and appropriate care. The best “shortcut” to finding great treatment is to connect with a local NAMI group whose members have first-hand experience with doctors and mental health service providers in the area.

When my youngest brother developed schizophrenia over 15 years ago, our family plunged into the dark world of stigma and cultural misunderstanding about mental illness. We were staggered by how many roadblocks stood in the way of getting adequate treatment, roadblocks that simply do not exist for diseases affecting other parts of our bodies

Many people with depression suffer a deficit in “reward”, the ability to feel pleasure and satisfaction.

One night , a few hours after we had visited him, the nurse called and told us Bernard “was going to be gone soon” and said we “should hurry and say good bye”. We went to him. Bernard—the man in pain—was gone. A glowing, strong Bernard lay propped on the pillows. He grabbed our hand very tightly and with a face radiant with joy, said a few words about various topics, then, practically shouting said “God bless you both”. Then he let go, and in a surprisingly deep and powerful voice, far more resonant than his usual, frail, near-whisper told us, “God is preparing me a new home and my new home is so beautiful!

Smile and The World Smiles With You

A new study to be published in the journal Psychological Science reveals that the cosmetic use of Botox may do more than get rid of wrinkles.  As a molecular and developmental neurobiologist at Scienceblog.com reports, it may actually stop you from smiling–inside and out!

In this brief, but interesting clip from Charlie Rose, Dr. Helen Mayberg, who is one of NARSAD’s Healthy Minds Across America researchers, tells us what neuroscientists and the rest of us need to ask about understanding depression.

[Childhood onset schizophrenia is the occurence] of schizophrenia before your 13th birthday and it is very, very rare. Perhaps 1/300th of the incidence of later onset disorder, or one in forty-thousand people!

Did you ever go to a restaurant and feel overwhelmed by the number of entrees? What about the vast variety of laundry detergents? Cars? Career choices? Potential spouses? Pizza toppings (any of you remember the days before pineapple was considered a legitimate pizza topping?)?

In April and May, NARSAD presents a series of national series of public education forums that highlight the latest breakthroughs in mental health research. Healthy Minds Across America represents a rare opportunity for people to meet the world’s leading experts on illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder — and hear their messages of hope on the latest medications, treatments and support to improve the lives of those suffering from psychiatric illnesses.

One therapist commented, saying that using a treatment plan during therapy was “rigid” and “unsophisticated” and that she liked to “go with the flow”. She was emphatic—a treatment plan “constrained her creativity as a therapist”.

But therapy is not about the therapist. It is about helping patients.