50 Signs of Mental Illness: A Guide to Understanding Mental Health

Yale University Press Health & Wellness

by James Whitney Hicks

A user-friendly, alphabetical guide to psychiatric symptoms and what you should know about them.

Anger, fatigue, obsessions, memory loss, sexual performance problems, suicidal thoughts. Are these signs of mental illness? How can you tell? Should you consult your physician? This reassuring book is for anyone seeking to understand their own symptoms or those of a loved one.

"A smart, alphabetically arranged layperson’s guide to common symptoms."—Gregory Mott, Washington Post

"Each of us has experienced one or several of the various forms of emotional distress described in this enormously helpful book--and who has not worried about their meaning and sometimes wondered whether, or how, to seek treatment? Finally, here is the book that answers every question lucidly, directly and authoritatively."— Sherwin B. Nuland, M.D., author of Lost In A Journey With My Father and How We Die

"This resource on the symptoms of mental illness and their treatment is a solid gem."— Library Journal

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Health, Research

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

On page 1 of his introduction, James Whitney Hicks, M.D. writes, "This book will teach you what you need to know about mental illness, whether you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, have untreated problems, or care about someone who may be mentally ill." I disagree. "50 Signs of Mental Illness..." is actually 50 symptoms that may or may not accompany various mental illnesses. Dr. Hicks provides a thumb nail sketch of these symptoms, which could be helpful if you have little knowledge of mental illness. However, the book is a far cry from teaching you what you need to know about mental illness.

If you appreciate footnotes and a bibliography from your reference books, you will be disappointed, there are neither. What Dr. Hicks does provide is a rather extensive list of Recommended Resources which could be very helpful if you are interested in further research on your own.

[Ronnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. It broke down everything perfectly, accurately, and very, very comprehensibly. It was easy to understand, even if one would have no background knowledge of any mental illness. The author gave excellent examples and described it all well. I highly recommend this book.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, I'm not crazy. It's just more research for my fiction.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

6-10 pages per syndrome, expresses traits, and how to determine whether the symptoms displayed are just quirkiness or genuine mental illness, in order to avoid "textbookitis". Gives concise suggestions about what to expect at the doctor's or therapist's office, which meds have shown the most promise recently, and even some alternative therapies in lieu of Rx. Also helpfully compares and contrasts syndromes for a fuller understanding of loverlapping symptoms, terminology, and spectrum analysis. Very readable text helpful for counselors, teachers, social workers, and those who work with the public in a compassionate manner.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to mental illness by showing the experience from the point of view of someone suffering from each of 50 "types" of mental illness. These are not all proper diagnostic categories, but that is really beside the point. Hicks does an excellent job to introduce the general public to the reality of mental illness and suffering.

Each chapter starts with a brief paragraph, written as someone with that illness narrating his or her inner thoughts. The remainder of the chapter gives a thorough and rounded background of that illness, without getting too technical.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! The best resource I found for pre-diagnosis.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to understand.I enjoy reading it.