Mental
    Disorder

... research resources for counselling students

Web Destinations

Key Sites for Practitioners

Hundreds of websites now present information about the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders both for practitioners and for clients and their families. Most websites contain information for all of these constituencies. We have included some of the best available sites available; however, some information and treatments may not be accurately or fully described. Other treatments are controversial and are not accepted standards of practice. Individuals with mental disorders should receive face-to-face treatment by a licensed mental health professional. We have avoided sites where treatment is offered online or through sales of books and materials. Most information about childhood disorders can be found in the section on children and adolescents.

Baldwin's Trauma Information Pages
David Baldwin is a psychologist who shares clinical and research information on trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder. The site includes information about trauma, links to trauma resources, sources of support, a trauma bookstore, disaster handouts, and links.
http://trauma-pages.com

Mental Health Matters
This website describes itself as "mental health and mental illness information and resources for professionals, consumers, and families." There is a special section on caregiver support. There are links to more than 20 categories of mental disorders. In addition, there are pages for mental health advocacy, legal/ethical issues, electronic journals in mental health, research and data base sites, recent articles, self-help, and toll-free numbers for mental health organizations including suicide lines.
http://www.mental-health-matters.com/links.html

Mental Health Net
This is one of the most important sites on the web for mental health practitioners. It is a "free encyclopedia of web information on mental health." Started by a Canadian psychiatrist, Mental Heath Net contains information about psychotropic medications, including dosage and side effects. It looks at the 50 most common mental disorders and for each gives the following information: description, diagnosis, treatment, research, booklets, magazines, and other web pages and links. There is also an online magazine.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/p.html

Mental Health & Psychology Resources Online
Since 1991, Dr. John Grohol has been compiling and updating links to mental health issues for clinicians, clients, and family members. The site contains 1,268 links grouped into 16 subcategories from licensure to depression to relationships.
http://psychcentral.com

SleepNet
Here one can find links to over 100 sleep disorders, with related sites including sleep apnea, insomnia, and narcolepsy. In addition, there are links to professional organizations, a "snooze paper" with news and tips, research links, support groups, and sleep laboratory information.
http://www.sleepnet.com/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association
This site describes model treatment programs and grants for the treatment of substance abuse/dependence. If you go a little deeper, you can find a directory of substance abuse treatment facilities.
http://www.samhsa.gov/

Key Sites for Client Information

Because there are so many Internet sites for mental disorders, a good place to begin is the first four sites in the "Web Sites for Practitioners." These sites have information for clients and client families as well as for clinicians. Some more specific sites for clients are listed below. Again, be aware that there are links that offer "virtual counseling" over the Internet and even group counseling in a chat room format. In those situations, verifying the credentials of the counselor is difficult if not impossible. At present, there seem to be few advantages to such counseling other than convenience, and significant risks may be involved.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded in 1935, has helped more than 2 million people with alcohol abuse/dependence. This website has much of the traditional information from AA, including facts about alcoholism, information for families and teens, resources for professionals, a newsletter, and information on meeting places and dates.
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/

Alzheimer's Association
Since 1980, the Alzheimer's Association has organized families and caregivers of Alzheimer's clients. The site provides information about causes and treatments and ways to gain access to support.
http://www.alz.org

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
This site is designed to serve AACAP members, parents, and families. Information is provided to aid in the understanding and treatment of developmental, behavioral, and mental disorders, which affect an estimated 7 to 12 million children and adolescents at any given time in the United States. You will find information on child and adolescent psychiatry, fact sheets for parents and caregivers, current research, practice guidelines, managed care information, and more.
http://www.aacap.org/

Andrew's Depression Page
A depression sufferer named Andrew manages this site. There are useful links for clients and client families as well as frequently asked questions about depression, suicide, and medications.
http://www.blarg.net/~charlatn/Depression.html

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
This site provides resources for professionals and nonprofessionals about anxiety disorders. Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) promotes the prevention and cure of anxiety disorders and works to improve the lives of all people who suffer from them. The site has consumer resources, message boards, and chats.
http://www.adaa.org/

The Anxiety-Panic Internet Resource (TAPIR)
TAPIR is a grassroots organization composed of volunteers, but it has no official status as a nonprofit. It is designed for individuals "interested in anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, phobias, shyness, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and post traumatic stress." There is a comprehensive set of links to anxiety sites, but much information can be obtained by searching the vast resources on the site itself.
http://www.algy.com/anxiety/menu.shtml

Autism Society of America
The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research related to autism. The website offers information, research, and conference information.
http://www.autism-society.org/

Bipolar Disorders Information Center
This website provides information about bipolar disorder and includes chat forums, treatment information, and other support. It contains links and information for both professionals and nonprofessionals.
http://www.mhsource.com

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
CHADD is a national organization with over 32,000 members and more than 500 chapters nationwide. Its mission is to provide support and information to individuals, families, and communities about attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The website offers fact sheets, news releases, research studies, and links on ADHD.
http://www.chadd.org/

GriefNet
While bereavement is not a mental disorder, grief is a very common mental health problem that can trigger major depression and adjustment disorders. GriefNet connects bereaved people with resources on death and dying, as well as those experiencing emotional and physical loss. There is a section for children, a newsletter, a bookstore, and support groups.
http://www.rivendell.org

International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD)
The ISSD is a nonprofit professional society that promotes research and training in the identification and treatment of dissociative disorders, provides professional and public education about dissociative states, and serves as a catalyst for international communication and cooperation among clinicians and researchers working in this field. The website contains education, guidelines for treatment, and conference information.
http://www.issd.org/

National Institute of Mental Health—Public Information
NIMH disseminates public information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of the major mental disorders. Materials are in Spanish and English and can be copied and downloaded for dissemination.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm

The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (OCF) is an international not-for-profit organization composed of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders, their families, friends, professionals, and other concerned individuals. The website has information for both professionals and the public about OCD, treatment, and medication. This is a good site for clients or other nonprofessionals.
http://www.ocfoundation.org/

Online Psych
Online Psych is part of iVillage and allhealth.com. There is information and online tests and quizzes for consumers. The site contains support information and education for individuals who are interested in emotional health.
http://www.allhealth.com

Schizophrenia.com
This is a site for people with schizophrenia and their families. There is a free e-mail newsletter, a message board, chats, and information about the diagnosis, medications, success stories, support groups, and means for getting financial support. There are links to 200 websites.
http://www.schizophrenia.com

Professional Development

Professional Organizations

American Counseling Association
The American Counseling Association (ACA) is an organization of counseling professionals who work in educational, health care, residential, private practice, community agency, government, and business and industry settings. Its mission is "to enhance human development throughout the life span and to promote the counseling profession." The website contains links to divisions, conference information, an online newsletter, and information for the public.

American Counseling Association
5999 Stevenson Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22304
Telephone: (800) 347-6647 or (703) 823-9800
FAX: (703) 823-0252
http://www.counseling.org/

American Mental Health Counselors Association
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is now a separate organization from the American Counseling Association, although some ties still exist. The mission of AMHCA is "to enhance the profession of mental health counseling through licensing, advocacy, education and professional development." The website contains links to state chapters, client information, and related mental health areas. AMHCA holds an annual convention and publishes The Journal of Mental Health Counseling quarterly.

AMHCA Headquarters
801 N. Fairfax St., Suite 304
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: (703) 548-6002 or (800) 326-2642
Fax: (703) 548-4775
http://www.amhca.org

American Psychiatric Association—Practice Guidelines
The APA online site provides clinical resources, standards of practice, and practice guidelines for a number of disorders and psychiatric illnesses. For example, there is a 123-page document on identifying suicidal behavior. The association's website includes relevant news items, public information, and medical education.
http://www.psych.org (search for practice guidelines)

Codes of Ethics

In general, the codes of ethics of the major professional organizations do not make distinctions in ethical behavior of clinicians when treating mental disorders versus other kinds of problems. American Counseling Association—Code of Ethics
The website provides the ACA Code of Ethics and Standards for Practice. A new section deals with Internet counseling ethics.
http://www.counseling.org/content/navigationmenu/resources/ethics/ aca_code_of_ethics.htm

Annotated Bibliography

Foundational Works

American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders—TR (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
This book is also called DSM-IV. It categorizes mental disorders in children and adults into 17 categories and more than 300 diagnoses. DSM-IV is what counselors must use to describe mental disorders to insurance companies when they seek reimbursement. Although DSM-IV describes itself as atheoretical with regard to the etiology of mental disorders, there is a clear medical/biological underpinning. The book is controversial among clinicians for several reasons. For example, it fails to identify family psychopathology and relationship problems as mental disorders. Mental disorders exist only within a person, not a couple or family group. Many serious problems are relegated to "V codes" that are considered less serious and not reimbursed by insurance. Nevertheless, DSM-IV is the common language used by mental health practitioners. Compared to its predecessors, DSM-IV is more reliable and easier to use.

Kaplan, B. (Ed.) (1964). The inner world of mental illness. New York: Harper & Row.
Kaplan's book is subtitled, "A series of first-person accounts of what it was like." Included are more than 30 stories by famous and unknown sufferers of mental disorders. There is a selection from Clifford Beers' "A Mind That Found Itself," and one by John Perceval, Winston Churchill's son, as well as others by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Nijinsky, and Sartre. The disorders described range from schizophrenia to substance abuse. It may be the only book available that can help the counselor appreciate the fear and distress that living with a mental disorder can bring.

Kaplan, H. I., & Sadock, B. J. (2002). Synopsis of psychiatry. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
This is a synopsis of the longer Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. Even so, it is over 1300 pages in two columns with small print. It is flavored with psychodynamic theory but is an invaluable resource for the practicing clinician. For example, it contains color photos of psychotropic medications in the front of the manual that clients can use to identify their pills. It contains the complete DSM-IV and recommended treatments for each disorder. It discusses all aspects of clinical work from inpatient to psychodrama to the use of restraints. The sections on brain imaging and neurochemistry are difficult but may be needed on occasion when the counselor needs to inform clients about procedures. It is the encyclopedia of psychiatry.

Maxmen, J. S., & Ward, N. G. (1995). Essential psychopathology and its treatment (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.
This edition was revised for the DSM-IV. The first 6 chapters of the text describe diagnostic psychopathology, including assessment, diagnosis, etiology, and treatment. The remaining 15 chapters are each devoted to a category of mental disorders. The clinical presentation, etiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment are presented for each disorder.

Turner, S. M., & Hersen, M. (Eds.) (2003). Adult psychopathology and diagnosis (4th ed.). New York: Wiley.
Each chapter addresses an area of psychopathology. The focus is on diagnosis, etiology, and current treatment modalities. The emphasis is on psychological treatment; all of the articles are academic by major researchers and writers.

Wetzel, J. W. (1991). Clinical handbook of depression. New York: Gardner Press.
Wetzel's book is an in-depth look at the etiology and treatment of depression. It includes sections on various models including the research base and methods of treatment using psychodynamic theory, cognitive-behavioral, existential, and so forth. A unique aspect of the book is its focus on women and depression. In each section, there is a box entitled "Women at Risk" that examines some of the key issues. For example, in the chapter on Life Events Models, the author examines living alone, nontraditional relationships, and sexual desirability as risk factors for women. Feminist theory is also introduced. This is not a totally theoretical book. There are useful resources, including several major tests for depression that can be reproduced and sections on suicide prevention. This volume was reissued in 1991 in paperback.

Key Current Works

First, M. B., Frances, A., & Pincus, H. A. (1995). DSM-IV-TR handbook of differential diagnosis. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
The handbook is a good companion to DSM-IV. It contains decision trees for presenting symptoms such as delusions and disorders such as anxiety. One of the most useful features is a comparison of competing diagnoses. For each disorder, there is a chart that shows the differences between it and other possibilities. This is very helpful when one is trying to differentiate between disorders with overlapping symptoms. Grohol, J. M. (2003). The insider's guide to mental health resources online. New York: Guilford.
The Insider's Guide gives web addresses for hundreds of websites of interest to mental health practitioners. The sites are rated on a one to four star system, and each site is described. Grohol's manual has been updated and includes resources for clinicians, patients, and family members. Grohol also addresses current trends, including online counseling, online ethics, and electronic journals.

Johnson, S. L. (2003). Therapist's guide to clinical intervention: The 1-2-3's of treatment planning. San Diego: Academic Press.
This could be described as a hodgepodge of useful clinical information for the beginning counselor. There are lists and charts and forms for patient registration, and discharge forms and intake interviews. The first chapter identifies treatment plans for major mental disorders. Chapter 2 looks at assessment of special situations from child custody to chemical dependency. Chapter 3 tells the clinician how to run social skills training in such areas as anger management, assertiveness, conflict resolution, setting priorities, and cognitive therapy.

Jongsma, A. E., Jr., & Peterson, L. M. (2003). The complete psychotherapy treatment planner. New York: Wiley.
This is a book that helps the counselor write treatment plans. The counselor chooses a presenting problem from the list of 34 in the book. These include depression, chemical dependence, childhood traumas, paranoid ideation, spiritual confusion, psychoticism, and the like. Each chapter gives a behavioral definition, long-term goals, short-term objectives and appropriate therapeutic interventions. There are spaces to write in alternative interventions as the clinician learns new techniques. While it is a cookbook for treatment planning, many beginning counselors find it useful, especially those working in managed care.

Jongsma, A. E., Jr., Peterson, L. M., & McInnis, W. P. (2002). The child and adolescent psychotherapy treatment planner. New York: Wiley.
This book enables mental health professionals to write effective treatment plans for children and adolescents that satisfy the demands of HMOs, managed care companies, third-party payers, and state and federal review agencies. It provides an extensive list of suggested interventions from a broad range of therapeutic approaches—including cognitive, behavioral, family-oriented, dynamic, pharmacological, educational, didactic, and bibliotherapeutic—and a simple but comprehensive treatment plan format that can be copied and emulated.

Meyer, R. G., & Deitsch, S. E. (1995). The clinician's handbook: Integrated diagnostics, assessment, and intervention in adult and adolescent psychopathology. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
This book provides overall diagnostic concepts and observations, special assessment and test data for diagnostic categories, and recommended intervention procedures. The unique feature of this textbook is how it fully integrates behavioral descriptions (primarily DSM-IV descriptors) and test data from commonly used psychological tests (e.g., MMPI) with the most valid treatment recommendations.

Millon, T., Blaney, P. H., & Davis, R. D. (Eds.) (1999). Oxford textbook of psychopathology. New York: Oxford University Press.
This textbook focuses almost exclusively on adult psychopathology in depth. It is intended for graduate students and professionals who are familiar with the field. The text may be used as a companion to the DSM-IV. Each of the 23 chapters addressing disorders provides a cutting-edge summary of the major theoretical and empirical issues pertaining to the disorder.

Morrison, J. (1995). DSM-IV made easy. New York: Guilford.
DSM-IV Made Easy contains chapters on each of the 17 categories of mental disorders and also explains the use of the multiaxial diagnostic system in simple language. There is a thumbnail sketch of each of the disorders at the beginning of the chapter. This helps in differential diagnosis for the beginner. In each chapter there are "tips to diagnosis" set off in a box. These are valuable hints from a skilled diagnostician. There are also case studies to depict each diagnosis. DSM-IV has many nooks and crannies and even those who know the basics will learn something.

Morrison, M. R., & Stamps, R. F. (1998). DSM-IV Internet companion. New York: Norton.
This is a guide to over 1500 websites on the Internet that offers information for clinicians and consumers on mental disorders based on DSM-IV. It also contains medical sites of interest. Each site is very briefly annotated, and related pages under a larger website are described.

Seligman, L. (1996). Diagnosis and treatment planning in counseling. New York: Plenum.
This is a book for mental health counselors that offers a critical look at treatment planning and diagnosis using DSM-IV. Seligman gives an excellent overview of assessment instruments and intake interviewing. She also describes how to keep detailed records of treatment.

Seligman, L. (1998). Selecting effective treatments: A comprehensive, systematic guide for treating mental disorders. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Few books actually identify treatments for each specific disorder in DSM-IV. Seligman's book is the exception. She indicates the standard interventions using case examples and treatment plans. Her DO A CLIENT MAP assessment system forms the basis of her diagnostic treatment-planning model based on DSM-IV.

Spitzer, R. L, Gibbon, M., Skodol, A. E., Williams, J. B. W., & First, M. B. (1994). DSM-IV casebook: A learning companion to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
This book provides accounts of real patients and their diagnosis based upon the diagnostic criteria in the Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV). It has proven to be an effective and enjoyable way for clinicians and students to get experience applying the principles of differential diagnosis to a wide range of patients.

Wiger, D. E. (1999). The clinical documentation sourcebook: A comprehensive collection of mental health practice forms, handouts, and records (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
The Clinical Documentation Sourcebook contains all of the forms, handouts, and records that the mental health professional needs to meet the documentation requirements of the managed care era. From intake to diagnosis and treatment planning, through discharge and outcomes assessment, this book offers sample forms for every stage of the treatment process. The sourcebook also contains 30 fully completed forms as well as 36 ready-to-copy blank forms (also provided on disk).

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