The Family Intervention Guide to Mental Illness: Recognizing Symptoms and Getting Treatment

by Bodie Morey, Kim T. Mueser PhD

Overview

Over 50 million Americans have a mental illness, but as many as 20 million don't have their illness detected. And many others get substandard treatment. Family members play a crucial role in recognizing mental illness, and helping a loved one get the treatment they need. The early signs of mental illness are clear if you know what to look for, and getting rapid and effective treatment will help your relative get better faster. If you think a family member or friend may be struggling with a mental illness, or isn't getting effective treatment, this guide will help you recognize symptoms, get the right treatment, and work together as a family to help your loved one get better.

Inside you'll find step-by-step support and information for determining whether someone you care about is suffering from a mental disorder, and what you can do to help. The Family Intervention Guide to Mental Illness outlines the nine fundamental steps to recognizing, managing, and recovering from mental illness. It provides both diagnostic information and details about therapy options and useful medications. With the right advice, determined effort, and a lot of love, you can make a difference.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781572245068
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	07/01/2007
Series:	Unassigned Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Bodie Morey received her AB from Harvard and experienced firsthand the turmoil and challenges of a mental illness developing in her family: her husband of twenty-six years had severe bipolar disorder, and one of her daughters developed schizoaffective disorder as she approached adulthood. Morey was instrumental in initiating a model program for mental health outreach services in New Hampshire, developed a popular long-running public education series, Families Coping with Mental Illness, co-taught the first Family Education Course in New Hampshire-the forerunner of the present NAMI national Family-to-Family Program. Morey was president of the NAMI affiliate in Concord, NH from 1986 to 2000, and works to promote better public information on mental illnesses.


Kim T. Mueser, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who works with clients and families, and a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Community and Family Medicine at the Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, NH. He has conducted extensive research on the treatment of mental illness sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

He has published ten books for clinicians and family members, and numerous articles in scientific publications, and frequently gives lectures both nationally and internationally on mental illness treatment. Mueser has served as a board member of NAMI New Hampshire and has strong commitment to educating the public and mental health professionals about mental illnesses and their treatment.

In 2007 he received the Armin Loeb Award from the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association for his contributions to research on the treatment of mental illness. Mueser's book with Susan Gingerich, The Complete Family Guide to Schizophrenia (Guilford Press, 2006) was the recipient of a 2007 Ken Book Award, presented by the Kenneth Johnson Memorial Research Library at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City Metro.

What People are Saying About This

David Shern

"Morey and Mueser have written an invaluable resource for families on mental illnesses. Scientifically current yet easily read, this volume demystifies psychiatric jargon to help families correctly identify mental health problems and successfully respond to them. The volume is filled with practical advice about real-world situations, including helpful case vignettes. It will do much to build knowledge and improve access to and participation in care."--(David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America, formerly the National Mental Health Association.)

Michael J. Fitzpatrick

"Above all, this is a book about love. Families will rely on it to help loved ones. They will share it with friends when their families in turn are confronted by mental illness. The book covers a broad spectrum of concerns from recognizing symptoms to maintaining wellness-and offers practical information and strategies. First-hand knowledge and down-to-earth perspective provide concise discussions of good steps, bad steps, wish lists, pitfalls, and recipes for success."--(Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI))

Editorial Reviews

Above all, this is a book about love. Families will rely on it to help loved ones. They will share it with friends when their families in turn are confronted by mental illness. The book covers a broad spectrum of concerns from recognizing symptoms to maintaining wellness-and offers practical information and strategies.
--Michael J. Fitzpatrick, MSW, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness

From the Publisher

According to data from the U.S. surgeon general, more than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in any given year, while only eight million seek treatment. To educate the public, Morey (former president, Concord, NH, chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness) and Mueser (clinical psychiatry & community & family medicine, Dartmouth Medical Sch.) have assembled this solid, pragmatic lay guide to understanding and identifying common mental illnesses and assisting loved ones who suffer from them. Readers will learn how to recognize the signs of mental illness in a timely fashion and get effective treatment, as well as come to understand the role of family members in helping their loved ones manage and recover from mental illness. This highly useful material is organized into sections on finding out about and discussing various mental illnesses, how mental illnesses are diagnosed and treated, and long-term strategies for maintaining wellness. The superb appendixes provide further information on psychiatric medications, mental health resource organizations, and a handy nine-step guide to recognizing and managing mental illness. While targeted to lay readers, this book will also be of value to professionals. Highly recommended for public libraries.
—Dale Farris

Library Journal