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Mental Illness in Children Mental Illness (MI) is a term used by mental health professionals that includes many disorders. Although MI usually does not occur until late adolescence or adulthood, it can and does occur in childhood as well. When MI occurs in childhood, it is considered childhood-onset mental illness (COMI). COMI can cause serious problems for the children and adolescents who have it, including problems in their biological, social, and emotional development.   Suicide in the Elderly Older adults make up 12% of the US population, but account for 18% of all suicide deaths. This is an alarming statistic, as the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population, making the issue of later-life suicide a major public health priority.   Marital Distress Marital distress is one of the most frequently encountered and disturbing human problems. Everyone who is married experiences difficulties, but for some, these troubles reach the point that partners become profoundly disappointed and upset about their marriages and may even come to question whether they want to continue to remain married. Marital distress is very unsettling and the ways marital problems often progress make it easy for things to go from bad to worse. However, in most situations, this flow in a negative direction can be altered. Most marriages can return to being satisfying. Sometimes people can make these changes on their own, but frequently help from a couple therapist is needed.   Gay and Lesbian Youth A new generation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth are coming of age in a society increasingly tolerant and yet still deeply divided about homosexuality. On one hand, there is increased openness, media attention, and an older generation of openly gay and lesbian role models. On the other hand, there is an increased backlash in the form of religious fundamentalism, violence, and legal intervention designed to “protect” traditional marriages and families. Sexual minority or “queer” (a label many young people use to describe themselves) youth are coming out younger than ever before and many are coming out in middle school and high school, while still living at home. Coming out, in some cases, then, has become a family affair.   Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a severe and persistent mental disorder that affects 1% of the population. The disorder is marked by the distortion of experiences, thoughts, and feelings, and often weakens the ability to function in such areas as education, work, interpersonal relations, and self-care. Schizophrenia poses significant challenges for both clients and families.   How Marital Therapy Heals the Wounds Trouble in the Clintons’ marriage resulting from the President’s extramarital sexual affair can stir up painful memories for the millions of Americans who have faced similar marital crises. It also may cause those who have not faced the problem to wonder how they would react and what would they do to get themselves through the pain and humiliation.   Grieving the Loss of a Child SThe loss of a child is the most devastating experience a parent can face—and missing the child never goes away. A piece of yourself is lost and your future is forever changed.   Asperger's Syndrome Asperger’s Syndrome is a neurologically-based developmental disorder. The exact cause is unknown, but experts believe it is a complex condition involving multiple genetic and environmental components--no one gene or single environmental factor causes AS. Asperger’s Syndrome is similar in many ways to autism. These two disorders are grouped together in a category called Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The disorders are also referred to as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD).   Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents Bipolar disorder is a serious mental health problem that affects between 1% and 5% of children and adolescents. Bipolar disorder is classified as a mood disorder by the mental health profession, and can include two types of mood disturbances: depression and mania (joyful, elevated or severely irritable moods). Bipolar disorders can affect all aspects of a child or adolescent’s life, causing them difficulties at home, in school, and in getting along with friends and classmates.   Caregiving for the Elderly More than ever before, families are providing long-term care to older adults with limitations in the ability to perform tasks necessary for independent living. Nearly 25% of American households are providing care to people age 50 years and over. Families are the foundation of a stressed healthcare system. Hospital stays are shorter than ever and family caregivers are often expected to do what healthcare professionals once did, and do so without training.   Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a major mental illness that involves extreme swings in mood, ranging from the low of depression to the high of mania. When depressed, a person may feel sad, have problems with sleeping, eating, and loosing weight, have many negative thoughts about oneself (including thoughts about death and hurting oneself), and experience difficulties with attention and concentration. During periods of mania, the individual may experience euphoric or irritable mood, inflated self-esteem and over-confidence, increased talkativeness, distractibility, and boundless energy, including a decreased need for sleep. People with bipolar disorder also have hallucinations (such as hearing voices when no one is talking to them) and delusions (such as the paranoid delusion that someone is out to get the person when no one is) when their mood is either depressed or manic, but these symptoms usually go away when the person’s mood becomes normal again.     << BACK |