Mental and emotional suffering is the most common ailment known to mankind yet remains the most poorly understood. More than seventy percent of visits to primary care doctors are related to psychosocial issues, and neuropsychiatric disorders are a leading cause of disability worldwide. When we see people acting out of the ordinary–becoming easily angered, falling into depression, talking incessantly, having trouble sleeping, using drugs and alcohol–we naturally assume that they have complete control over their behavior.
     But what most of us don’t realize is that the emotional system is made of more than just the mind; it also involves the brain. Of course, it is clear that we use our brains, but what is not so clear, even among most mental health professionals, is what the distinction is between the mind and the brain.
     This book is about the dynamic relationship between these two parts of the cognitive-emotional system and the way they interact in sickness and in health. We will see how our limited ability to control our brains can explain the wide variety of psychiatric disorders from simple phobias to major depression and begin to better understand ourselves and others.
     Included in this discussion, which is intended for both healthcare providers and patients, are precise details about what goes wrong in the development of psychiatric disorders and what we can do to prevent the escalation of symptoms before they get out of control and lead to a disruption of work and family relationships. Based on the dynamic interplay between the mind and the brain, we will see why natural remedies such as proper rest and regular exercise may be adequate for some persons and why medication and other medical treatments may be needed by others.
     The concepts discussed in this book are based on over thirty years of clinical experience treating a wide variety of psychiatric disorders in conjunction with the latest scientific research. Through this knowledge, the inner workings of the human mind will be illuminated like never before, and the cause of mental and emotional problems will become more clear and less frightening. As a part of this discussion, we will review the various treatment options that are currently available with an emphasis on a revolutionary new approach that is unparalleled in safety and efficacy.
     It is our hope that this information will empower those who have been affected by psychiatric disorders, optimize the effectiveness of treatment, and help end the long-held stigma of mental illness. Available only through the Binder Foundation