“

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

” - Walter Bagehot

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.