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Mental and Behavioral Health

Learn about mental and behavioral health problems

Photo of a care giver talking with patient

Many people are affected by mental health problems such as depression or panic disorders. These problems can make it harder to think clearly, manage how you feel, and work with other people. Sometimes you may feel helpless and hopeless. But you're not alone. Talking with others who suffer from these problems may help. And treatment can help you get back in control. Or maybe you're worried about someone else and want to help. Our information can answer your questions.

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More Information

Health Topics
Abuse: Risk Factors for Being Abused Active Listening ADHD and Hyperactivity ADHD in Adults: Behavioral Strategies ADHD Medicines: Suicide Warning for Strattera ADHD Myths and Facts ADHD: Impulsivity and Inattention ADHD: Other Conditions With Similar Symptoms ADHD: Social Skills Training ADHD: Symptoms in Adults ADHD: Tests for Other Disorders Agitation and Dementia Al-Anon Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Alcohol Abuse: Other Health Problems That May Occur Alcohol and Drug Problems Alcohol and Drugs: When to Get Help for an Intoxicated Person Alcohol and Substance Abuse in PTSD Alcohol Effects on a Fetus Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Maintaining Good Nutrition Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Making the Most of Remaining Abilities Alzheimer's and Other Dementias: Making Your Home Safe Alzheimer's Disease Anger, Hostility, and Violent Behavior Anorexia Complications Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia: Help for Family Members Anorexia: Learning New Eating Behaviors Anorexia: Learning to Trust Others Anorexia: Other Health Problems That May Occur Antianxiety Medicines for Alcohol Withdrawal Anxiety Apolipoprotein E-4 Genetic (DNA) Test Asperger's Syndrome Assessing PTSD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Autism Autism and Vaccines Autism: Behavioral Training and Management Autism: Support and Training for the Family Avoiding Temper Tantrums Barriers to Psychological Care Behavior Rating Scales for ADHD Behavior Therapy for ADHD Benefits of Quitting Alcohol or Drugs Binge Eating Disorder Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens Bipolar Disorder in Children: Other Health Problems That May Occur Bipolar Disorder in Children: School Issues Bipolar Disorder: Helping Someone During a Manic Episode Bipolar Disorder: Hypomanic Episodes Bipolar Disorder: Manic Episodes Biting Biting as a Behavior Problem Blackouts Caused by Alcohol or Drugs Borderline Personality Disorder Building Resilience Building Self-Esteem Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia: Misuse of Ipecac Syrup Bulimia: Overuse of Laxatives Bullying Bullying: Building a Child's Self-Esteem Bullying: How to Help Your Child Who Bullies Bullying: Signs a Child Is Bullied CAGE Questionnaire for Alcohol Problems Cancer Support: Managing Stress Caring for Adults With Autism Case Management for Schizophrenia Cathy's Story: Dealing With Stress Cerebral Palsy Cerebral Palsy: Bathing and Grooming Tips Cerebral Palsy: Controversial Treatments Cerebral Palsy: Help for Speech Problems Cerebral Palsy: Safety Tips Change a Habit by Setting Goals Cheryl's Story: Dealing With Depression Child Abuse and Neglect Childhood Schizophrenia Chronic Fatigue: Antidepressants Chronic Fatigue: Changing Your Schedule Chronic Fatigue: Getting Support Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pain Management Common Coping Responses for Stress Communication Styles Comparing Symptoms of Normal Moodiness With Depression in Children Complications of Grief Conditions Related to Dyslexia Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Depression in Children and Teens Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness Counseling for HIV Infection Counseling for PTSD Dealing With Anxiety After a Loss Dealing With Childhood Fears Dealing With Guilt After a Loss Dealing With Negative Thoughts Debbie's Story: People Can and Do Recover Deciding to Get Treatment for PTSD Dementia Dementia: Bladder and Bowel Problems Dementia: Helping a Person Avoid Confusion Dementia: Legal Issues Dementia: Medicines to Treat Behavior Changes Dementia: Support for Caregivers Dementia: Testing How Well a Person Functions Dementia: Tips for Communicating Dementia: Understanding Behavior Changes Dental Anxiety Depression Depression and Coronary Artery Disease Depression and Suicide Depression and the Holidays Depression During Pregnancy Depression in Children and Teens Depression in Older Adults Depression Screening Depression, Anxiety, and Physical Health Problems Differences Between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in Children Do I Have Depression? Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence Domestic Violence: Checklist of Things to Take When You Leave Domestic Violence: Getting a Protective Order Drug Abuse and Dependence Drug Problems: Helping Someone Get Treatment Dyslexia Eat a Balanced Diet for Mental Health Eating Disorders and Self-Esteem Eating Disorders: Avoiding Guilt and Self-Blame Eating Disorders: Cultural and Social Factors Eating Disorders: Feeling Better About Yourself Eating Disorders: Malnutrition Tests Eating Disorders: Personality Traits That Put You at Risk Eating Disorders: Stopping Negative Thoughts Ecstasy (MDMA) Effective Parenting and Disciplining Children Elder Abuse Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Emotional Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years Emotional Eating Emotional Reactions to a Diagnosis of Cancer Examining Your Beliefs to Manage Stress Exposure Therapy Family Meetings Family Therapy Family Therapy for Depression in Children FDA Advisories for Antidepressants Fear and Anger in PTSD Feeling Depressed Fetal Alcohol Effects: How to Help Your Child Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Caring For Your Baby Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Signs That Your Child Needs to Be Evaluated Fran's Story: Finding Support When You Have COPD Generalized Anxiety Disorder Get Regular Exercise for Mental Health Grief and Grieving Grief and PTSD Grief and Your View Of Death Grief Counseling Grief: Crying Can Help Grief: Dealing With Feelings of Insecurity Grief: Helping Children Understand Grief: How Storytelling Helps Children Grief: Losing a Loved One Grief: When Major Loss Challenges Your Beliefs Grieving a Chronic Illness Guided Imagery Handling Sadness and Yearning After a Major Loss Healing Through Humor Health Tracking Forms and Checklists Healthy Eating to Decrease Stress Healthy Eating: Influences on Eating Behavior Help for Anger Problems Helping a Family Member Who Has PTSD Helping Kids Handle Peer Pressure Helping Someone During a Panic Attack Helping Your Child Build Inner Strength How ADHD Affects Your Child How Can CBT Help? Hysterectomy: Emotional Reactions Ideas to Help You Cut Back On or Stop Using Alcohol Illness Patterns in Schizophrenia Importance of Personal Relationships for Lowering Stress Infertility: Emotional and Social Concerns Inhalant Abuse Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse Interactive Tool: Are You Depressed? Interactive Tool: Do You Have a Drinking Problem? Interactive Tool: How Well Do You Bounce Back? Interactive Tool: What Is Your Stress Level? Interactive Tools Learning Disabilities Life Transitions and PTSD Light Therapy Living With More Than One Health Problem Managing Job Stress Marijuana Martha's Story: A Voice for Recovery Marvin's Story: Coping After Hurricane Katrina Medical History for Alcohol Problems Medical History for Eating Disorders Medications and Other Substances That Can Cause Symptoms of Depression Medicine for Tourette's Disorder Medicines That Interact With Alcohol Memory Problems: Issues With Driving Memory Problems: Tips for Helping the Person With Daily Tasks Memory Problems: Wandering Meningitis: Long-Term Problems Mental Health Problems and Stigma Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Mind-Body Wellness Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Multiple Sclerosis: Medicines for Depression Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy Myths About Tourette's Disorder Myths and Facts About Depression Nervous System Problems Neurosyphilis Night Eating Syndrome Nonepileptic Seizures (NES) Nonprescription Sleep Medicines Nonverbal Learning Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obstacles to Grieving OCD Medicines Other Than SSRIs OCD: Exposure and Prevention Therapy OCD: How Family Members Can Cope Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Bipolar Disorder Other Types of Counseling for PTSD Overcoming Frustration and Anger Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Panic Disorder: Other Conditions That May Occur Parkinson's Disease and Depression Patty’s Story: Using Positive Thinking to Help Back Pain Pervasive Developmental Disorders Phobias Physical Abuse Physical Exam for Eating Disorders Physical Signs of Alcohol Dependence Planning for Alcohol or Drug Relapse Postpartum Depression Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Practicing Gratitude Pregnancy: Relationship Changes Problem Solving to Manage Stress Psychotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome PTSD and Depression PTSD and Negative Coping PTSD and Panic Attacks PTSD and Physical Health Problems PTSD and Suicide PTSD and Your Family PTSD Myths Questions About Substance Abuse Treatment Programs Questions Your Doctor May Ask Before Prescribing Medicine for Depression in Children and Teens Quick Tips: Reducing Holiday Stress Quick Tips: Reducing the Stress of Caregiving Ravi’s Story: Coping With Back Pain and Depression Reducing Anxiety Relapse of Schizophrenia Relaxation Exercises Residential Treatment for Substance Abuse Ron's Story: Therapy Helps Safety Plan: Preparing to Leave a Violent Relationship Sarah's Story: Dealing With the Emotions From COPD Saying No to Alcohol and Drugs Schizophrenia Schizophrenia and Pregnancy Schizophrenia and the Caregiver Schizophrenia: Encouraging Social Skills Schizophrenia: Encouraging Someone to Take the Medicines Schizophrenia: Helping Someone Who Is Hallucinating Schizophrenia: Helping Someone Who Is Paranoid Schizophrenia: Related Disorders Schizophrenia: Social Skills Training Schizophrenia: Warning Signs of Violence Schizophrenia: When Hospital Care is Needed Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Seizure Medicines for Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures Self-Care for AIDS Caregivers Self-Hypnosis Self-Hypnosis for Stress Sexual Abuse or Assault (Rape) Sharing Memories With Older Adults Sherri's Story: Medicines Do Work Shoulder and Neck Massage Signs of Drug Abuse Signs of Stress Signs of Substance Use Sleep Problems, Age 12 and Older Social Anxiety Disorder Social Connections Specific Phobias Sponsor's Role in Alcohol or Drug Recovery Stan's Story: Getting There Hasn't Been Easy Staying Safe: After You Leave a Violent Relationship Staying Safe: If You Are in a Violent Relationship Stop Negative Thoughts: Choosing a Healthier Way of Thinking Stress and Diabetes Stress in Children and Teens Stress Journal Stress Management Stress Management When You Have Cancer Stress Management: Breathing Exercises Stress Management: Imagery Exercises Stress Relief and Relaxation Stroke: Behavior Changes Stroke: Changes in Emotions Stroke: Dealing With Depression Substance Abuse and Mental Health Problems Substance Abuse in Older Adults Substance Abuse Support Groups: Being an Active Member Substance Abuse: Staying Alcohol- or Drug-Free After Treatment Suicidal Thoughts or Threats Suicide Assessment Suicide Threats: What to Do Support Groups and Social Support Supporting Someone Who Has an Eating Disorder Susan's Story: A Friend Really Helps Symptoms of Depression Symptoms of Depression in Children Symptoms of Severe Anxiety and Panic Taking Care of Yourself When You Have a Child With Physical, Emotional, or Behavioral Problems Taking Care of Yourself When Your Baby Is Fussy Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Is Sick Talk to Others About Depression Tapping the Power of Optimism Teen Relationship Abuse Teen Substance Abuse: Signs at Home Teen Substance Abuse: Signs at School Teen Substance Abuse: Signs in Your Teen's Friendships Teen Substance Use: Making a Contract With Your Teen Temper Tantrums Temper Tantrums: Keeping a Record Temporary Confusion or Decreased Alertness Thumb-Sucking Thumb-Sucking Versus Pacifier Use Time-Out Tim's Story: Dealing With Trauma And Grief Tips for Finding a Counselor or Therapist Tips for Getting More Sleep Topiramate for Binge Eating Disorder Tourette's Disorder Tourette's Disorder: Habit Reversal Training Tourette's Disorder: Making Home and School Life Easier Tourette's Disorder: Tic Triggers Types of Domestic Abuse Types of Schizophrenia Unproven Treatments for Autism Unresolved Grief Violent Behavior Violent Behavior in Children and Teens Virtual Reality Treatment Warning Signs of Dementia Warning Signs of Suicide Warning Signs of Suicide in Adults Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens Warning Signs of Suicide in Older Adults Ways To Reduce Stress Weakness and Fatigue What Increases Your Risk of Becoming a Victim of Domestic Abuse or Violence?

Medical Tests
Mental Health Assessment Neuropsychological Tests

Medications
Acamprosate for Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Alprazolam for PMS-Related Anxiety Antidepressant Medicines Used to Treat OCD Antihypertensives for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Antipsychotics for Child and Teen Bipolar Disorder Antipsychotics for the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder Antipsychotics for Treating Schizophrenia Atomoxetine (Strattera) for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Benzodiazepines for Panic Disorder Benzodiazepines for Social Anxiety Disorder Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer's Disease Danazol for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Disulfiram Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH-a) for Severe PMS Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease Methadone for Drug Abuse Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) for Depression Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) for Panic Disorder Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) for Social Anxiety Disorder Mood Stabilizers for Child and Teen Bipolar Disorder Mood-Stabilizing Medicines for Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Other Antidepressants for Depression Prazosin for PTSD Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Depression Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Depression in Children and Teens Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for PMS and PMDD Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Postpartum Depression Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for PTSD Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Depression and Pain After a Stroke Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Panic Disorder Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Social Anxiety Disorder Stimulants for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Tricyclic and Tetracyclic Antidepressants for Depression Tricyclic Antidepressants for Panic Disorder Tricyclic Antidepressants for Postpartum Depression Tricyclic Antidepressants for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Make a Wise Decision
ADHD: Should My Child Take Medicine for ADHD? Alzheimer's Disease: Should I Take Medicines? Alzheimer's or Other Dementia: Should I Move My Relative Into Long-Term Care? Depression: Should I Stop Taking My Antidepressant? Depression: Should I Take an Antidepressant? Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant? Depression: Should My Child Take Medicine to Treat Depression? Healthy Aging: Is It Time to Stop Driving? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Should I Take Medicine for OCD? Panic Disorder: Should I Take Medicine?

Take Action
ADHD: Helping Your Child Get the Most From School ADHD: Helping Your Child Get Things Done Alcohol Problems: Helping Someone Get Treatment Alcohol Problems: How to Stop Drinking Anxiety: Stop Negative Thoughts Bipolar Disorder in Children: Helping Your Child Prevent Manic Episodes Bipolar Disorder: Preventing Manic Episodes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Depression: Dealing With Medicine Side Effects Depression: Helping Someone Get Treatment Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression Depression: Stop Negative Thoughts Depression: Supporting Someone Who Is Depressed Depression: Taking Antidepressants Safely Grief: Coping With Grief Grief: Helping Children With Grief Grief: Helping Older Adults With Grief Grief: Helping Teens With Grief Growth and Development: Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem Seasonal Affective Disorder: Using Light Therapy Stop Negative Thoughts: Getting Started Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation Stress Management: Doing Guided Imagery to Relax Stress Management: Doing Meditation Stress Management: Doing Progressive Muscle Relaxation Stress Management: Helping Your Child With Stress Stress Management: Managing Your Time Stress Management: Practicing Yoga to Relax Stress Management: Reducing Stress by Being Assertive Stress Management: Relaxing Your Mind and Body Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop Weight Management: Stop Negative Thoughts

Credits

By:

Healthwise Staff

Last Revised: June 10, 2011

Medical Review:

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.