Mental Health Medical Reference

When you have PTSD, it might feel like you'll never get your life back. But it can be treated. Therapy and medications can work very well and are often better together.

Find out about the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and when and how it's used.

Conversion disorder is a rare condition in which your brain converts mental stress into physical symptoms. What causes it and how is it treated?

Learn what causes tardive dyskinesia (TD), how symptoms can change, and what treatments and lifestyle steps can help you manage this movement disorder.

Learn what existential therapy is, and how you can use its principles to make meaning out of every situation.

Learn what exposure therapy is, what it involves, and how it can help.

Misophonia is a strong dislike or hatred of certain sounds. Learn more about this unusual condition, from symptoms to treatment.

Borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder are often confused. They both have symptoms of impulsiveness and mood swings.

Narrative therapy is when you turn your past trauma into an autobiography for coping purposes. Learn more about what it is and how it can impact your mental health.

People with antisocial personality disorder - ASPD - can be witty, charming, and fun to be around -- but they also lie and exploit others. WebMD looks at the causes, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of this disorder.

A look at the symptoms, treatment, and causes of skin picking disorder (excoriation), a condition in which people repeatedly try to pick at scabs, scars, and other areas of the skin.

An explanation of how new laws are increasing the coverage provided by health insurance companies for mental health problems.

WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of depersonalization disorder, which is marked by periods of feeling disconnected or detached from one's body and thoughts.

WebMD explains the symptoms and treatment of a somatoform disorder -- a mental disorder in which patients experience pain that can't be traced to any physical cause.

WebMD explains the benefits of dialectical behavioral therapy for borderline personality disorder and other self-destructive behaviors.

Learn what psychoanalysis is, including when you might need it, how it helps, and more.

Learn what equine therapy and equine-assisted therapy are.

Anxious attachment is a type of insecure relationship. Learn more about what causes it, what to expect, and more.

WebMD discusses the signs of avoidant personality disorder as well as treatments and complications.

WebMD explains the differences among psychiatry, psychology, counseling, and therapy, and what to expect from each

WebMD explains common mood disorders, including Persistent Depressive Disorder and cyclothymic disorder.

Learn what person-centered therapy is including how it can help your mental health and more.

What is complex PTSD? Triggered by chronic trauma, complex PTSD adds problems with relationships, emotions, and self-esteem to the usual symptoms of PTSD.

Learn what acceptance and commitment therapy is and how it can benefit your mental health.

Dissociative identity disorder, once called multiple personality disorder, results in two or more split identities. Learn more from WebMD about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this complex mental illness.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Learn how it lowers the strength of emotional memories.

Uncontrolled anger can affect many aspects of your life, including your health and relationships. Learn more from WebMD about anger management.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) -- which has been used successfully to treat conditions like Parkinson's disease -- is now being researched as a treatment for mental illnesses like obsessive-compulsive disease and major depression. Learn more from WebMD.

WebMD provides an overview of group therapy for mental health issues.

WebMD explains how to notice signs of suicidal behavior, along with risk factors.

Learn more from WebMD about the role of hypnotherapy, or hypnosis, in treating behavioral, physical, and psychological conditions.

Information on paranoid personality disorder (PPD), a mental health condition marked primarily by distrust of others.

Narcissistic personality disorder goes beyond confidence, it involves a fragile self-image hidden behind grandiosity and a real difficulty handling criticism.

WebMD explains the laws that protect people with mental illnesses.

WebMD explains schizotypal personality disorder, including its characteristics and treatment.

Schizoid personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called eccentric personality disorders. Learn more from WebMD about its diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment.

Learn more from WebMD about mental illness in children, including risk factors and treatments.

If you have body dysmorphia, or body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), you may focus a lot on how you look. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and how to treat this mental health condition.

Learn about somatic symptom disorder, formerly known as hypochondria, from the experts at WebMD.

WebMD provides information on dissociative fugue, which can be caused by extreme stress or trauma. Learn about symptoms and treatment.

Read about histrionic personality disorder, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Rumination disorder is an uncommon eating disorder usually in infants and young children. Learn more.

Choosing the right provider for your mental health needs is an important step towards getting proper treatment. Learn about doctors and therapists who treat mental illness.

Pica is the persistent eating of substances with no nutrition, such as dirt or paint. Learn more.

WebMD explores the role of psychotherapy in treating and managing mental illness.

Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) occurs in children who have been neglected and are unable to form a healthy emotional attachment with their primary caregivers.

WebMD looks at factitious disorders, conditions in which a person deliberately and consciously acts as if he or she -- or a loved one -- has a physical or mental illness when he or she is not really sick.

Look at the symptoms and causes of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a rare psychological disorder due to an attention-seeking caregiver.

WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, which affects children and teens.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental condition that requires treatment. WebMD explains causes, symptoms, and treatment.