“I have found it to be seductively complicated, a distillation both of what is finest in our

82)This emphasizes the book’s point of saying that some criteria are “abnormally increased activity or energy,” and “flight of ideas or subjective impression that thoughts are racing,” (Kring et al. 2016, p. 140). She mentions that during these episodes that her friends would tell her to slow down (Jamison 1995, p. 37). This can also be considered as the symptom characterized by unusual talkativeness and rapid speech (Kring et al. 2016, p. 140). According to the textbook, a decreased need for sleep also characterizes mania, which Jamison often refers to, saying that “Decreased sleep is both a symptom of mania and a cause,” (Jamison 1995, p. 69). During her manic episodes, Jamison also had a tendency to dress provocatively and overspend money, which the DSM-5 characterizes as “excessive involvement in activities that are likely to have painful consequences, such as reckless spending, sexual indiscretions, or unwise business investments,” (Kring et al. 2016, p. 140). She also mentions that during one of her manias, she bought snakebite kits because “God had chose me, and apparently only me, to alert the world to the wild proliferation of killer snakes in the Promised Land,” (Jamison 1995, p. 76), which can be classified as the DSM-5 criteria “increased self-esteem; belief that one has special talents, powers, or abilities,” (Kring et al. 2016, p. 140). As for her depressive

Our progress in learning the causes and treatments for mental illness has been steady as we build on the medical model of mental illness, which Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman (2010) describe as a model that, “views emotional and behavioral problems as a mental illness, comparable to a physical illness (pp. 341). Only in modern times have we been able to effectively treat mental illness with behavioral therapy, social support, medicine, and other research-based programs. However, there is still much work to be done in regard to access, proper facilities, policy and a host of other challenges that affect this issue.

Both Kayleen and Doug provide a lot of emotion and conflict to the play. Doug came from a loving family that cared about him. Kayleen came from a broken family because her mom left when she was young and her dad was emotionally abusive. They both suffer from mental disorders such as anxiety depression and physical harm inflicted by themselves throughout the play.

Throughout the centuries mental illness has been treated by countless treatments. Modern treatments have created an argument over which treatment options are best. the most debates treatments today are medication and therapy. the argument of medication versus therapy as treatments for mental illness is fairly new. Yet, proponents of both sides have strong arguments stating the advantages of their treatment option. proponents of medication believe pharmacogenetics, tailored treatments, and medication's ability to treat severe disorders makes medication the better treatment option. proponents of therapy believe drug addiction, suicide prevention, and need adaption establishes therapy as the better treatment choice.

The definitions of mental health and mental illness can vary greatly and most are subjective, simplistic or are only partial definitions (Freshwater & Boyd, 2006). Freshwater and Boyd (2006) highlight the idea of mental health and illness being viewed as a “continuum”, where people are located at different points due to life events, developmental stages and genetic influence throughout their lives. As Hinshaw and Cicchetti (2000) state individuals with mental illness aren’t either “ill” or “well”, instead they experience episodes of remission and relapse over the course of their lives. From a medical view

Allie Brosh’s Hyperbole and a Half (2013) is a compilation of short personal occurrences that Brosh experienced in her life. This book takes on a unique format in that rather than just text, it is composed of short sentences and paragraphs combined with little drawings of the scenes described. Her frank language and juvenile drawing style allows all different types of readers access to the genuine heart that is portrayed during each snippet of time. While an enjoyable read solely for the depictions and sometimes-comic storytelling, the book also addresses very serious subjects such as depression and identity. Having been published in 2013, this book appeals to contemporary readers and it is necessary to analyze it in its historical context in order to understand its true significance. For many people, it is difficult to address serious concerns regarding mental health and this book makes it available in a form that is both casual and real. As opposed to medical journals or psychologists who will provide a scientific explanation, this publication provides people with a relatable experience that promotes comprehension rather than correct terminology. Ultimately, Hyperbole and a Half tells the story of a woman trying to cope with the difficulties and conundrums of everyday life, but its real significance cannot be understood without insight into the twenty-first century person struggling to understand and confront their own or another’s mental illness.

Mental illness in itself is a problem, however as humans we have not discovered a way to reverse or remove it. Although researchers have been able to establish common patterns in those who are diagnosed with mood disorders, we do not have any objective information at all. Researchers claim that it can be a combination of our genetics and brain chemistry. (MedWeb, 2015) Despite this gray area, we have discovered a way to suppress the symptoms of mental illness, however many of our children are paying for this at a high

By definition, manic depression is otherwise known as bipolar disorder in modern times. It is “a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, behavior, thinking and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.”(Introduction: Bipolar Disorder) This overall definition clearly supports the argument that Rose Mary carries bipolar disorder. Often times in the memoir, Rose Mary changes her mind and mood about doing something very quickly without any foreshadow. This brief explanation of bipolar disorder shows that Rose Mary possesses most of the traits of having bipolar disorder. From a greater perspective, bipolar disorder has two very distinctive phases ---- the manic phase and depressive phase. During a manic phase, patients are often “jumping quickly from one idea to the next” (Melinda and Jeanne), feeling energetic and having “unrealistic beliefs about one’s abilities or powers” (Melinda and Jeanne); during a depressive phase, patients are often “feeling hopeless, sad, empty”(Melinda and Jeanne) or irritable and unable to

Future Research: Effective treatments for PTSD and depression exist, yet there are disparities in how these treatments are being geographically/regionally dispersed. Above, we highlighted key challenges: veterans’ perceptions of the negative consequences of seeking care; inadequate availability of mental health professionals; diverse and often competing mental health specialties and training approaches that inadequately prepare many practitioners to deliver evidence-based treatments for combat-related disorders or to understand military experience (Burnam et. al, 2009); and limited dissemination and implementation of QI strategies in mental health care settings . Overcoming these obstacles will require federal, state, and local leadership.

They are popularly referred to as being part of a continuum, the ability to successfully perform in productive activities and relationships, as opposed to the inability to do such things (Mental Illness Overview). Ever since the first edition of the DSM was published in 1952, scientists have studied how a person’s mind relates to their brain and whether the disorders they listed were organic or purely in the mind (Arben). Science has made extraordinary leaps in this aspect, as they have come to discover not only the biological change that causes mental illnesses, but they are also able to pin down even specific chromosomes linked to them. One in particular that has been heavily studied is depression, which is known to be related to a lack of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Some of the more recently developed medications, known as SSRIs, block the receptors that recycle serotonin from taking in too much and allowing enough to carry proper signals throughout the brain (Johnson). While some people insist on the opinion that drugs such as these are overprescribed (Medications for Mental Illness Are Overprescribed), professionals use tested algorithms when determining whether a patient is in need of medication, and if so what medication to use (Restricting Medications for Mental Illness Harms Patients). These methods have been fine-tuned over the past few decades and are used treat a patient to their own personal needs, and to aid

The basic premise of any doctor’s assessment is to address the patient’s concerns, perform lab work, diagnose the condition, perhaps administer medication, and monitor the patient for improvement or problems associated with medication. In general, patients are expected to follow the advice of a certified physician; however, mental illness challenges the rudimentary design of doctor and patient relationships. Psychiatry entails assessments that are elaborate and while often reducing patient symptoms, continue to pose challenges to the psychiatric field due to the level of maintenance and the evolution of recovery (Jacob, K., S. 2015.) Moreover, the approach to recovery in mental illness patients does not end with medication as management and continuous care dominate the mental illness landscape.

“A mental disorder (mental illness) is a psychological pattern that is generally associated with a defect or disease of the individual’s mind. It causes a disability that may affect an individual’s behavior patterns in ways that are not part of one’s normal development or culture. Mental disorders are common in the United States. Within any given year, nearly 25 percent of adults and slightly over 20 percent of children are diagnosable for one or more mental disorders. While mental disorder appears to be widespread among the population, the main burden (or threat) emanates from about 6 percent of those who suffer from a debilitating mental illness.” (National Institute of Mental Health, 2011)

The ‘medical model’ (Beecher, 2009), also called the ‘biomedical model’ (Germov, 2009), basis its beliefs on the theory that there is not a connection between the mind and the body (Sarafino & Smith, 2014) and illness is caused by ‘biological’ (Germov, 2009) factors that can be diagnosed and treated with medications (Germov, 2009). The biomedical model becomes problematic when applied to the treatment of mental health illness due to the cause being widely unknown and so how can mental illness be successfully treated using this model? Social factors that may have a contributory effect or allowance for preventative measures to be implemented are also not taken into consideration with the ‘medical model’ (Germov,

The general public increasingly attributes mental disorders to biological causes such as a chemical imbalance or inherited genes (Schnittker, 2008; Schomerus et al., 2012).

Over forty million Americans suffer from a mental health condition; and, unfortunately, fifty six percent do not receive any treatment at all. “Mental illnesses are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion and behavior”(Psychiatry.org). People live with their conditions even though their quality of life and personal relationships may be negatively affected. When one lives in a state of denial about having a mental illness, they are cheating themselves out of living life to their fullest potential and will achieve true freedom only when they face the illness head on and seek recovery.