More Amazing Human Brain Facts:

The 1990’s will forever be known in history as “The Decade of the Human Brain.” 

Neuroscientist made significant discoveries in human brain genetics, brain plasticity, new drugs, imaging, cell death, and brain development. In the area of genetics, key disease genes were identified for Alzheimer’s Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease.

With human brain plasticity, scientists began to understand how learning and memory work. New drugs were discovered in molecular neurophamacology. We began to understand addiction and depression in a new way.

Human Brain Imaging revolutionized the human brain systems that showed attention, memories and emotions. We learned about how and why neurons die in the human brain. Human Brain development was explored and scientists learned how childhood disorders begin (Society for Neuroscience, 2005).  

Scientists have identified more than 1,000 disorders in the human brain. Hospitalization is required for human brain disorders more than heart disease or cancer. Fifty million Americans will be effected by a brain disorder. These include mental and drug and alcohol problems. It costs our health care industry over $400 billion a year. Many patients are missed diagnosed and have their brain diagnosis frequently changed by different mental health providers they see (Society for Neuroscience, 2005). 

Diagnosis and treatment of patients is not an exact science. Psychology is often viewed as an art mixed with science. Proper diagnosis is the key to successful treatment of a patient. Currently, the DSM is the most used in the United States today. The DSM  is a structured framework and a set of criteria for identifying and describing mental disorders (Seligman, 2004). 

Clinical interviews, mental status exams are also used as part of the diagnosis and treatment process. Mental health professionals use the DSM at the beginning of a human brain diagnosis and treatment for a patient.

Sometimes it is used at different stages of human brain treatment for patients. The DSM is a tool to show if a patient can handle counseling. It is a criteria reference for what medications a patient should use. It shows how a disorder evolves. It also suggests interventions, assessments and helps mental health workers develop successful treatment plans. Insurance companies require the use of the DSM for accountability. 

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.