Mental Disorders Websites

Official site of the TSA, a national organization dedicated to providing "accurate and up-to-date information about TS, its treatment, relevant scientific research, and consumer services."

http://www.tsa-usa.org/

Fetal alcohol syndrome

“(FAS) is a condition characterized by abnormal facial features, growth retardation, and central nervous system problems. It can occur if a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy." This site presents basic information about FAS, fact sheets on alcohol use and pregnancy, and details of the FAS education and prevention activities of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities of the CDC.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/

Web MD

Easy-to-understand information on hundreds of diseases and conditions. Each topic includes description, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and related articles.
URL: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/common-topics/

Mental Retardation

Developmental Disabilities and Mental Retardation

Fact sheet about mental retardation (sometimes referred to as a cognitive or intellectual disability), which "is characterized both by a significantly below-average score on a test of mental ability or intelligence and by limitations in the ability to function in areas of daily life." Covers causes, research, resources available to people with mental retardation and their parents, and related matters. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddmr.htm

Schizophrenia

This group "is the largest severe mental illness charity in the UK." It is "dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by severe mental illness." The site features basic information about types of mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia and depression), treatment options (such as medications, cognitive therapy, and psychotherapy), living with mental illness, and more. Some materials apply only to the United Kingdom.
URL: http://www.rethink.org/

National Institute of Mental Health

This site is about mental health: depression, anxiety and panic disorders, Alzheimer's disease, learning disabilities, autism, schizophrenia, and other illnesses. It contains information for researchers, practitioners, and the general public. Information includes news, events, grants, contracts, committees, research, clinical trials, funding opportunities, and links to other NIMH programs. Searchable. Some information in "For the Public" is available in Spanish. From the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
URL: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

UCSF: Department of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Conditions

A brief, browsable overview of adult psychiatric conditions as well as child and adolescent psychiatric conditions. Overviews feature facts about the disorders, signs and symptoms, treatment, research, mental help services, and related links. From the University of California, San Francisco.
URL: http://psych.ucsf.edu/psychiatric-conditions.aspx?id=122

Autism

Autism Speaks

Website for this organization "dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism." Features material about organization's activities and policies, and background about autism including how to cope, how to grow with it, and video clips "to help parents and professionals learn more about the early red flags and diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)." Access to videos requires free registration.
URL: http://www.autismspeaks.org/

Medline Plus: Autism

Compilation of links to sites about this type of developmental disorder. Topics include news, organizations, overviews, diagnosis and symptoms, treatment, genetics, research, and statistics. From the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/autism.html

Autism Society of America

The official ASA Web site provides a description of the disorder, its causes, diagnosis, and definitions of relevant terms. Features a section to help families cope with raising autistic children; and links to ASA chapters, related support and advocacy groups, educational and vocational rehabilition programs, and other organizations and resources.
URL: http://www.autism-society.org/

Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children

Division TEACCH provides general information about autism, an overview of different educational and communication approaches, as well as information on research and professional training opportunities. Hosted by the Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
URL: http://www.teacch.com/

The Source

Site of MAAP Services, "a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information and advice to families of More advanced individuals with Autism, Asperger's syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)." Includes basic information on developmental disorders; an international directory of support services; and a newsletter archive featuring letters from experts, parents, and individuals challenged with autism/Asperger's/PDD.
URL: http://maapservices.org/

Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury

"Each year in the United States, an estimated 1.5 million people sustain a TBI [Traumatic Brain Injury], which is 8 times the number of people diagnosed with breast cancer and 34 times the number of new cases of HIV/AIDS." This site provides statistics on TBI, causes, consequences, prevention strategies and resources, and related documents. From the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/tbi.htm

Human Brain

"Here you can get to know your brain — the food it likes, the challenges it craves, the rest it requires, the protection it deserves." Provides information about nutrition, brain injuries, lead poisoning, the effect of exercise and stress on brain functions, and related health topics (such as Alzheimer's disease/dementia, depression, and stroke). From the Franklin Institute Online.
URL: http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/

UCLA Neuosurgery Diseases and Disorders

Directory of neurological diseases and disorders. Browse by condition (adult, pediatric, brain, spine) or individual disease. Each entry includes general information, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. From the Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles.
URL: http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/DiseasesDisorders/Sort/AlphaList_A-L.asp

National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research

This research center at the University of North Carolina "collects and disseminates death and permanent disability sports injury data that involve brain and/or spinal cord injuries." The center's website features annual reports and data on catastrophic sports injuries, with an emphasis on football injuries. The center's general annual report includes a "Special Section on Cheerleading" with samples of cheerleading injuries.
URL: http://www.unc.edu/depts/nccsi/