"Science is
revealing how the skill learning, emotional overtones, and
memories of such experiences are put together physically in
the brain. The brain and mind are two sides of the same
coin. Mind is not possible without the remarkable physical
complexity that is built into the brain, but, in addition,
the physical complexity of the brain is useless without the
sculpting that environment, experience and thought itself
provides. Thus the brain is now known to be physically
shaped by contributions from our genes and our experience,
working together. This strengthens the view that mental
disorders are both caused and can be treated by biological
and experiential processes, working together. This
understanding has emerged from the breathtaking progress in
modern neuroscience that has begun to integrate knowledge
from biological and behavioral sciences."
- From the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Mental
Health
Definitions:
The following definitions of mental health and
mental illness are as described in the
U.S. Surgeon General's 1999 Report on Mental Health.
Mental health -- The successful
performance of mental function, resulting in productive
activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and
the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity;
from early childhood until late life, mental health is the
springboard of thinking and communication skills, learning
emotional growth, resilience and self-esteem.
Mental health problems -- The term
"mental health problems" is used for signs and symptoms of
insufficient intensity or duration to meet the criteria for
any mental disorder. Almost everyone has experienced mental
health problems in which the distress one feels matches some
of the signs and symptoms of mental disorders. Mental health
problems may warrant active efforts in health promotion,
prevention and treatment. Bereavement symptoms in older
adults offer a case in point. Bereavement symptoms of less
than two months duration do not qualify as a mental
disorder, according to professional manuals for diagnosis
(DSM-IV, 1994). Nevertheless, bereavement symptoms can be
debilitating if they are left unattended. They place older
people at risk for depression, which, in turn, is linked to
death from suicide, heart attack, or other causes. Much can
be done — through formal
treatment or through support group participation
— to ameliorate the symptoms and to avert the
consequences of bereavement. In this case, early
intervention is needed to address a mental health problem
before it becomes a disorder.
Mental illness -- The term that
refers collectively to all mental disorders. Mental
disorders are health conditions that are characterized by
alterations in thinking, mood or behavior (or some
combination thereof) associated with distress and/or
impaired functioning.
Clinical Trials:
ClinicalTrials.gov
provides regularly updated information about the
federally and privately supported clinical research in human
volunteers. ClinicalTrials.gov gives you information about a
trial's purpose, who may participate, locations and phone
numbers for more details. The information provided on
ClinicalTrials.gov should be used in conjunction with advice
from health care professionals.
Clinical Trial Participation Update:
Click Here to Find Clinical Trials by State
NIMH: Identification of Characteristics Associated with Symptom Remission in Autism
In this study, we hope to better understand why some children with autism show significant improvement while other children do not. To examine this question, we will evaluate current functioning by conducting a neuropsychological assessment, a neurological exam, an overnight EEG, and an MRI. Our goal is to better understand how children who make significant improvements may differ from children with autism who do not show similar gains. Our long-term aim is to identify characteristics associated with symptom remission that may guide development of better treatments in the future.
Three groups of children (ages 8-17) will be included:
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Children previously diagnosed with autism who no longer meet criteria for autism
-
Children currently diagnosed with autism
-
Typically developing children.
To find out if you qualify or for further information please call our study coordinator at 301-435-7205 (TTY 866-411-1010) or email AutismOutcomeStudy@mail.nih.gov.
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Health, Department of Health and Human Services.
For more information on research conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, MD click here: http://patientinfo.nimh.nih.gov.
Information About Drug Abuse:
National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA's
mission is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of
science to bear on drug abuse and addiction. This charge has two critical components. The first
is the strategic support and conduct of research across a
broad range of disciplines. The second is ensuring the
rapid and effective dissemination and use of the results of
that research to significantly improve prevention, treatment
and policy as it relates to drug abuse and addiction.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Building resilience... Facilitating recovery... A life in the community for everyone
|
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has established a clear vision for its work -- a life in the community for everyone. To realize this vision, the Agency has sharply focused its mission on building resilience and facilitating recovery for people with or at risk for mental or substance use disorders. SAMHSA is gearing all of its resources -- programs, policies and grants -- toward that outcome. |
What is Depression? Depression is a serious medical illness; it's not
something that you have made up in your head. It's more than
just feeling "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days.
It's feeling "down" and "low" and "hopeless" for weeks at a
time.
More about Depression
Mental Health Links:
