National Institute of Mental Health

NIMH

For additional faqs, information, or full-length articles and booklets on the mental health issues cited on this page go to the National Institute of Mental Health website.

NIH Curriculum


Students gain insight into the biological basis of mental illnesses and how scientific evidence and research can help us understand its causes and lead to treatments and, ultimately, cures.

Online Psychology Tests and Quizzes

PsychCentral

Check PsychCentral for psychological tests and quizzes on a variety of mental health disorders and symptoms. You get automatic results online.

Mental Health Assessments

Discovery Health


Mental Health Assessments
Want to know how smart you are? Think you're sensual? From personality and intelligence to relationships and career try one of our professionally designed assessments and see how you really rate.


What help is there for OCD?

There is help for people with OCD. The first step is to go to a physician or health clinic to talk about symptoms. The physician will do an exam to make sure that another physical problem isn’t causing the symptoms. The physician may make a referral to a mental health specialist.

Physicians may prescribe medication to help relieve OCD. It’s important to know that some of these medicines may take a few weeks to start working. Medications can be prescribed by M.D.s (usually a psychiatrist) and in some states also by clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and advanced psychiatric nurse specialists. Check with your state’s licensing agency for specifics.

The kinds of medicines used to treat OCD are listed below. Some of these medicines are used to treat other problems, such as depression, but also are helpful for OCD.

  • Antidepressants
  • Antianxiety medicines
  • Beta-blockers

Physicians also may ask people with OCD to go to therapy with a licensed social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist. This treatment can help people with OCD feel less anxious and fearful.

There is no cure for OCD yet, but treatments can give relief to people who have it and help them live a more normal life. If you know someone with signs of OCD, talk to him or her about seeing a physician. Offer to go along for support. To find out more about OCD, call 1-866-615-NIMH (1-866-615-6464) to have free information mailed to you.
 

Just the Beginning

This Emotional Life

When people watched the PBS "This Emotional Life" series they witnessed real stories exploring our pursuit of happiness. For the next two years, the series campaign will continue to foster awareness, connections and dialogue. Explore the site to learn more, find wellness resources in your community and to connect with others like you.

Click the image to view This Emotional Life series trailer.

Click for an overview of each topic:

Episode 1: Family, Friends, and Lovers

Episode 2: Facing Our Fears

Episode 3: Rethinking Happiness

OCD Screening Quiz

Do you think you or a loved one may have an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Click for a short quiz from PsychCentral to help you evaluate the seriousness of the condition.

SAMHSA

The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), promotes the quality and availability of community-based substance abuse treatment services for individuals and families who need them. CSAT works with States and community-based groups to improve and expand existing substance abuse treatment services under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Program. CSAT also supports SAMHSA’s free treatment referral service to link people with the community-based substance abuse services they need.

SAMHSA's Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

DBSA

Improving the lives of people with mood disorders.

 

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-directed national organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses. The organization fosters an environment of understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. DBSA supports research to promote more timely diagnosis, develop more effective and tolerable treatments and discover a cure. The organization works to ensure that people living with mood disorders are treated equitably.

Click here to find a DBSA support group in your area.

Pittsburgh Chapter of DBSA

Pittsburgh Chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBS) has been around for over 20 years.  We meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month.  The meeting is held at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic (WPIC), 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2593, in room 413 on the fourth floor. Free Parking on the roof level of the 5-level parking garage attached to the hospital at the top of DeSoto St. by the Peterson Event Center.  Tell the security guard that you're here for a meeting.  The group starts at 7:30 pm and finishes up around 9:45 pm.

All are welcome...consumers, spouses, family members and friends who wish to know more about these illnesses along with what we go through or our family members see how other people have done. Our format is a very relaxed enviroment for caring and sharing. Generally about 20-25 attendees and a very comforting and caring group.  No pre-registration or costs are involved...just show up!

We also have a social group that tries to get together to do social events.
Info is at http://bipolar.meetup.com/264/

.

Light Therapy Products