Search

Understanding the relationship between brain structure and function and particularly how this relationship becomes disturbed in the mentally ill, is one of the major challenges to clinical and experimental neuroscientists. The brain may be described in terms of its general structure and key anatomical areas. It may also be described in terms of the cellular or subcellular structure of the different types of cells that constitute the brain. Finally it may he considered in terms of its functional importance in memory, consciousness and control of bodily functions.

Mental health services research is discussed and delivery of health services is summarized and explained in four areas: equity, efficiency, economy and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the influence of social factors on mentally ill patients. It is inferred that social factors have an enormous influence on the life course of people, affecting the development and socialization aspects. Adverse social and developmental factors may increase susceptibility to serious mental illness and may trigger illness among vulnerable persons. Most of major social factors are associated with mental illness either contributing to onset or due to social factors.

Elimination of attitudinal and institutional barriers is necessary for persons with developmental disabilities to fully participate in society's mainstream. This chapter outlines the framework of models that promote self-determination, economic independence and inclusion, citing the following characteristics of such a model: flexible and accountable, supportive of new and existing relationships, individualized and individually driven, culturally aware, and outcome driven. The chapter includes two appendices providing an extensive list of references, publications and websites, on employment initiatives and other information relating to public and private employment programs and support services. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Children with Down syndrome understand the concepts of language and communication, and have the desire to communicate at an early age. However, speech is a most difficult skill for young children with Down syndrome to master. There are many communication skills they can learn to prepare them to speak. This chapter describes the prerequisite skills necessary for both language and speech. An early intervention program can help the young child develop necessary skills that will form the basis for speech. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The pain and suffering of those with major psychiatric illness has been appreciated since the dawn of civilization. For over 5000 years, drugs have been used in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of such patients. There is evidence that the Sumerians in the Tigris-Euphrates "alley were aware of the mood-elevating effects of the juice of the opium poppy and cultivated these plants for that purpose. Other plants known to contain psychoactive compounds include hellebore, which was used for centuries in Europe to treat mania, violent temper, mental retardation and epilepsy.