Writing About Mental Illness

Mental illness has become a serious issues in many countries. Many writers know nothing or very little about mental illness. Research is important when a character of yours has a mental illness. With so many illnesses out there you must be precise about the affects and the way mental health affects someone's life. It is important to be accurate. Though not all mental illnesses affect everyone the same.

Research is difficult with all the websites out there that say they are legit but aren't. Make sue you find ones that are. It is hard to find them. Try out mental health clinic sites, university sites, old school reference books (yes I know, that takes forever), see if you can speak to a mental health therapist, someone that has a mental illness (Twitter is a good source), or a mental health physician's assistant. These are all great sources.
When approaching someone with a mental illness please ask if they are willing to talk. Many try and hide it. Those I found on Twitter are usually open about it and are willing to help. Make sure they understand that you are only looking for information for your writing and not writing about them in particular. If they believe you will be writing about them it may scare them and not want to help.
Another thing to remember, that two people can be diagnosed with the same illness but very different symptoms, medications, therapy and daily life.
Here are the three I like and know are legit.
National Institute of Mental Health,  Mayo Clinic and Science Daily There are more just look and be careful about what information you use. If someone with mental health reads your book, misinformation could possible upset them.

 The main mental health issues I find in novels are: anxiety, bipolar disorder and narcissism. Antagonists are usually the narcissists, which is good.

Now that you have some information get to researching!

@jesdeh2o on Twitter is open about her anxiety, mild OCD, rage and bipolar disorder. Feel free to contact her (aka ME)