“ [This is] the doctrine that we cannot accept the command of an authority, however exalted, as the ultimate basis of ethics. For whenever we are faced with a command by an authority, it is our responsibility to judge whether this command is moral or immoral. The authority may have power to enforce its commands, and we may be powerless to resist. But unless we are physically prevented from choosing the responsibility remains ours. It is our decision whether to obey a command, whether to accept authority. ” - Immanuel Kant

There are a series of initial orientating comments that are likely to be helpful when trying to understand and cope with almost any type of psychological symptom. I have arranged these under the headings "Psychological symptoms in the general population", "Diagnosis of psychological disorders", "Taking an active problem solving approach", and "Choosing self-help, psychotherapy or medication". Click on the relevant heading below to read more.