American Psychiatric AssociationHealthyMinds.org - Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives.

Let's Talk Facts™ Brochures

APA is releasing the latest edition of Let’s Talk Facts brochures. The series is designed to improve mental health by promoting informed factual discussion of psychiatric disorders and their treatments. They were developed for educational purposes for the general public and provide answers to commonly asked questions on mental health issues and disorders.

LTF: Los estudiantes universitarios y el abuso de alcohol
College Students and Alcohol Abuse
Students of legal age who consume alcohol should do so responsibly and in moderation. Unfortunately, many students engage in underage, risky drinking that could lead to long term alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. The health and social effects of alcohol misuse can be extremely serious and even life threatening both to the individual and to others.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Trastorno de pánico
Panic Disorder
Panic attack, the core feature of panic disorder, is a period of intense fear or discomfort that strikes suddenly, often in familiar places, where there is seemingly nothing threatening an individual. But when the attack comes, it feels as if there is a real threat, and the body reacts accordingly.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format


LTF: Trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
During the fall and winter months, some people suffer from symptoms of depression that can appear gradually or come on all at once. These symptoms often dissipate as spring arrives and stay in remission through the summer months. For some people, this is a sign that they suffer from SAD. Text-only version - Adobe PDF format


LTF: Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders
What are Anxiety disorders? Anxiety disorders are the most common of emotional disorders and affect more than 25 million Americans. Although each anxiety disorder has its own unique characteristics, most respond well to two types of treatment: psychotherapy and medications.

Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Choosing a PsychiatristChoosing a Psychiatrist
What Is a Psychiatrist? A psychiatrist is a medical physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses, including substance abuse and addiction. Psychiatrists are uniquely qualified to assess both the mental and physical aspects of psychological disturbance.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: DepressionDepression
What is Depression? Depression is a serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Depression is never normal and always produces needless suffering. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression will overcome it.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Eating DisordersEating Disorders
What is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders are illnesses in which the victims suffer severe disturbances in their eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. Eating disorders affect some several million people at any given time, most often women between the ages of 12 and 35. There are two main types of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa; a third disorder, binge eating disorder, is still being examined.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Posttraumatic Stress DisorderPosttraumatic Stress Disorder
What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed life-threatening events such as natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist incidents, war, or violent personal assaults like rape. Today, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals have good success in treating the very real and painful effects of PTSD.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: What is Mental Illness?What is Mental Illness?
What is Mental Illness? In the past, the subject of mental illness was surrounded with mystery and fear. Today, we have made tremendous progress in our understanding and especially, in our ability to offer effective treatments. However, questions about mental illness often go unanswered, and stand in the way of people receiving help.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

 

Ordering Information

Brochures may be ordered by visiting www.appi.org or calling 800-368-5777. The brochures are sold by topic in packets of 50 brochures for $31.50 each. Discount pricing available for bulk quantities of five or more packets. Please email bulksales@psych.org for more information.

APA physician members receive a 10% discount.

LTF: Dimensiones psiquiátricas del VIH y el SIDA
Psychiatric Dimensions of HIV and AIDS
Mental health problems can strike anybody, but people with HIV are more likely to experience a range of mental health issues. More common are feelings of acute emotional distress, depression, and anxiety, which can often accompany adverse life-events. HIV also can directly infect the brain, causing impairment to memory and thinking. In addition, some anti-HIV drugs can have mental health side effects.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which time-consuming obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with a person’s routine, making it difficult work or to have a normal social life. OCD often begins in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. Afflicting over four million Americans, OCD is equally common in men and women and knows no geographic, ethnic, or economic boundaries.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)Bipolar Disorder
What is Bipolar Disorder? A brain disorder that causes shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Bipolar disorder is very treatable. A combination of psychotherapy and medication is optimal for managing the disorder over time.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format



LTF: Childhood DisordersCommon Childhood Disorders
For parents, the key to handling mental disorders of children is to recognize the problem and seek appropriate treatment. These disorders have specific diagnostic criteria and treatments, and a complete evaluation by a mental health provider can determine whether a child needs help. Some of the mental disorders commonly seen in children are depression, ADHD, and conduct disorder.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence
What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence is control by one partner over another in a dating, marital or live-in relationship. The means of control include physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse, threats and isolation. While you cannot stop your partner’s abuse – only he or she can do that - you can find help and support for yourself.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: PhobiasPhobias
What are Phobias? Phobias affect people of all ages, from all walks of life, and in every part of the country. They are the most common psychiatric illness among women of all ages and are the second most common illness among men older than 25. Any phobia that interferes with daily living and creates extreme disability should be treated.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

LTF: Teen SuicideTeen Suicide
A considerable number of teenagers are dealing with depression, an illness with significant long-term consequences, including an increased risk for suicide. Simply taking the time to talk to troubled teenagers about their emotions or problems can help prevent the senseless tragedy of teen suicide. Let them know help is available.
Text-only version - Adobe PDF format

 


Let's Talk Facts Brochures:
Folletos Let's Talk Facts

Addiction
Anxiety Disorders
Bipolar Disorder
Choosing a Psychiatrist
College Students & Alcohol Abuse
Common Childhood Disorders
Depression
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder
Phobias
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Psychiatric Dimensions of HIV & AIDS
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Schizophrenia
Teen Suicide
What is Mental Illness?

Minority Mental Health
African American Mental Health
Asian American/Pacific Islanders (AAPI)
Hispanic Mental Health
National American Indian/
Alaskan Native Heritage

Men's Mental Health
Military Mental Health

Mental Health Issues
Alcohol Awareness
APA Expert Opinions
Children's Issues

College Mental Health
Psychiatry FAQ
Suicide Prevention Week
Women's Issues
World AIDS Day

Fact Sheets
- Schizophrenia
- Disasters: Mental Health, Students and Colleges
- Confidentiality
- Funerals & Memorials
- Gay, Lesbian & Bi Issues
- Insanity Defense FAQ
- Managed Care
- Media Violence
- Patients Bill of Rights
- Postpartum Depression
- Psychiatric Hospitalization
- Storm Disasters

 
All information on HealthyMinds.org is © of the American Psychiatric Association
The information contained on the HealthyMinds.org Web site is not intended as, and is not, a substitute for
professional medical advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with your treating physician.