Understanding Common Mental Health Disorders
Compiled by Prof. Herbert Zirima
Copyright ©2024
Publishing Consultant: Atcumbre
This book aims to explain common mental disorders in simple yet detailed ways. In so doing, the hope is to demystify these disorders so that people have an understanding of the disorders, and as such, they will be able to recognise the symptoms in themselves and in others. This knowledge is important in the drive to destigmatise mental illnesses. This book also gives various coping mechanisms and treatment options with respect to the mental disorders. At the end, the readershould have a high level of mental health literacy regarding common mental disorders like depression and anxiety, which is a core competency in bothrecognizing these issues in themselves and others, aswell as combating the stigma and discrimination faced by those living with mental illness.
About the book
Making sense of the mental health conditions we rarely talk about
Understanding Common Mental Health Disorders by Professor Herbert Zirima is a plain-language guide to the conditions that touch most families at some point. It explains what each disorder looks like, why it develops and what can be done about it, so that readers can recognise the signs in themselves and in the people around them.The book begins by separating mental health from mental illness, two ideas that everyday speech often blurs, and introduces the four Ds clinicians use to judge when distress becomes a disorder: dysfunction, distress, deviance and danger. It also reminds readers that what counts as illness is shaped by culture and history. Every chapter that follows covers the symptoms, how common the condition is globally and in Zimbabwe, practical ways of coping and the treatment options available.
Written for anyone who wants to understand, not only specialists
Students, people living with a mental health condition, families and carers, educators and clinicians will all find it a clear starting point.Paperback, first edition 2024 · ISBN 978-1-77934-175-4 · Identity Consultancy, Harare
Full book: US$15