Mental disorder posters

August 31st, 2010 239 Comments
Mental disorder posters

I was doing some research about mental health and I came across a list of mental disorders. I chose a few, starting with OCD, and set myself the challenge of defining each in a minimal style.

Find out why I have removed Gender Identity Disorder from the series.

They still need work, but I was thinking they could form part of a mental health awareness programme. I may approach Mind to see if I can volunteer my services.

Posted in Graphic Design, Self initiated
Tags Agoraphobia, Anorexia Nervosa, Depression, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Gender Identity Disorder, Mental health, Narcolepsy, OCD

239 Comments on “Mental disorder posters”

siddony kalair said at 2:55 pm on August 31st, 2010:
love this. xx
Patrick said at 4:10 pm on August 31st, 2010:
Thanks Sid, I’d really like to develop these. OCD is my favourite, but I quite like the Narcolepsy one
Merete said at 7:38 pm on August 31st, 2010:
They are really good Patrick. Think they make good sense and I look forward to see what you can get out of Borderline????
Kisses M
Patrick said at 11:45 am on September 1st, 2010:
Thanks Merete. Yeah, Borderline could be difficult – will give it a try though.
Nicola said at 4:11 pm on September 2nd, 2010:
Are these yours? They are really clever and , um , true … its not me who suffers with narcoleptic depressive obsessive compulsive gender disorder – a friend told me about it…
Linda Aberg, Sweden said at 4:47 pm on September 2nd, 2010:
For me as a poet these pictures certainly fill my storage of inspiration!
Patrick said at 9:04 pm on September 2nd, 2010:
Um, I have you down for at least one of them.
Patrick said at 9:05 pm on September 2nd, 2010:
Thanks Linda. They should provoke a response.
siddony kalair said at 5:35 pm on September 3rd, 2010:
patrick, did you actually do these yourself? they are not someone else’s work that inspires you?
Brandon said at 9:40 pm on March 7th, 2011:
Love the OCD poster…. (un)fortunately fits me to a tee.
jg said at 1:41 am on March 8th, 2011:
Would love to see your rendition of ADD/ADHD!
Larry Lundstrom said at 5:22 am on March 8th, 2011:
Very nice. The attitude of society towards these as well as the self struggle are both taken into account. Dig it!
Oliver said at 5:01 am on March 9th, 2011:
I would like to throw it out there that I don’t view my gender identity as a disorder. I am not ill nor do I need to be cured.
There are likely others out there who have ‘mental disorders’ who feel the same way.
Joe said at 8:39 pm on March 9th, 2011:
Hi, Just wanted to say I thought these were great. We’ve just built a small online learning application for a clinical course at UCL, and we spent quite a bit of time trying to find appropriate imagery for each of the course modules – I wish we had the budget, I think we’d get you to do all of them!! They’re really excellent!

Thanks for sharing…

Joe
Mental Disorders as Minimal Posters by Patrick Smith (at Sketch Perception) said at 4:57 pm on March 11th, 2011:
[...] You can check out the project/post on Patrick’s wonderful website/blog. [...]
Mental Disorders as Minimal Posters by Patrick Smith (at Sketch … | Mentlog said at 6:11 pm on March 11th, 2011:
[...] You can check out the project/post on Patrick’s wonderful website/blog. [...]
Phil said at 3:03 pm on March 12th, 2011:
That’s all very nice, but could you please put the OCD square back into place now? I’d appreciate that.
Thank you.
Self-Esteem Guy said at 9:47 am on March 13th, 2011:
It made me think. I like the OCD one at the very beginning.
Maen said at 1:02 pm on March 13th, 2011:
I liked OCD a lot
Patrick said at 2:42 pm on March 13th, 2011:
Thanks for all your posts, tweets, retweets and comments. In order to give a context to these posters, my brief was to raise awareness and create a dialogue within the creative community and beyond. The proliferation of this through the Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other digital places has proven this. I didn’t set out to address the semantics of psychology in a professional or social context. If this series of posters has raised questions or controversy, I am glad that it is at least being discussed.

I am planning to extend this series, so I would be interested to hear your thoughts and feelings.
Alexander J. Allison said at 4:14 pm on March 13th, 2011:
Would you be willing to discuss the possibility of using one of these as a book cover?
Elders #41 said at 6:01 pm on March 13th, 2011:
[...] aandoeningen vertaald in posters [Adapt] [...]
mental disorder posters. | narrylikes said at 7:54 pm on March 13th, 2011:
[...] years ago, it might be a good idea to try it again – especially after seeing these minimalist Mental Disorder posters by Patrick [...]
Mental Disorder Posters said at 8:00 pm on March 13th, 2011:
[...] nice minimalist posters about mental disorders by British designer Patrick Smith (aka Graphic Patrick). “I was doing some research about [...]
Mental Disorder Posters | Mentlog said at 6:33 am on March 14th, 2011:
[...] nice minimalist posters about mental disorders by British designer Patrick Smith (aka Graphic [...]
Grafiker illustrerar mentala sjukdomar « tommix said at 9:16 am on March 14th, 2011:
[...] Grafikern Graphic Patrick försökte sig på att illustrera mentala problem och sjukdomar. Resultatet är jävligt snyggt och beskrivande. Här är några smakprov. Du kan se fler här. [...]
The House Studio | Monday morning is for the random said at 12:50 pm on March 14th, 2011:
[...] – I enjoyed this OCD poster from the Mental Disorder poster series. [...]
ERP4k said at 3:40 pm on March 14th, 2011:
LOVE THIS, PLEASE MAKE MORE!!!!
7 minimalistic posters representing various mental disorders - 22 Words said at 7:57 pm on March 14th, 2011:
[...] Designed by Patrick Smith… [...]
Mental disorder posters « Carmen Pernicola said at 10:07 pm on March 14th, 2011:
[...] questi collezione di poster “Disordini mentali” il designer e art director Patrick Smith descrive in maniera minimalista ed efficace alcuni tra i principali disturbi mentali. Che ne [...]
Madfishmonger said at 1:36 am on March 15th, 2011:
I think you really hit the nail on the head with some of these, depression especially.
Hess said at 5:17 am on March 15th, 2011:
Very nice! As a matter of personal interest, I’d like to see what you do with bipolar disorder.
Minimalist Posters For Mental Disorders « Joke Radar | Mentlog said at 7:00 am on March 15th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith: I was doing some research about mental health and I came across a list of mental disorders. I [...]
Mental disorder Minimal Posters | feel desain said at 1:01 pm on March 15th, 2011:
[...] estremamente minimalista. Nasce così la sua collezione di poster Disordini mentali. Nei suoi lavori Patrick riesce a rappresentare disturbi di cui sono affetti molte persone, con semplici schemi [...]
[ decoratiuni + postere minimale ]] « Decorabilitate's Blog said at 1:11 pm on March 15th, 2011:
[...] Designed by Patrick Smith… [...]
Anna Z said at 1:24 pm on March 15th, 2011:
These are great. Especially, for people with mental disorders because they can connect with them. Good job!
fajas colombianas said at 3:31 pm on March 15th, 2011:
I would love to see your depictio of AIDS and HIV
Liz wells said at 4:15 pm on March 15th, 2011:
Love the depression one. Really “describes” the concept of a black day
OCD » Picmarks ♥ said at 5:28 pm on March 15th, 2011:
[...] Hilfe ausblenden Michael | vor 12 Minuten | Keine Kommentare BildOCD via adaptcreative.co.ukTags:Bild, Krankheit, Poster, Zwangsstörung Tweet Short URL Kommentar schreibenKeine Kommentare [...]
Narcolepsy » Picmarks ♥ said at 5:30 pm on March 15th, 2011:
[...] Hilfe ausblenden Michael | vor 14 Minuten | Keine Kommentare BildNarcolepsy via adaptcreative.co.ukTags:Bild, Illustration, Minimal, Narkolepsie, Poster Tweet Short URL Kommentar schreibenKeine [...]
Mental disorder posters | DesertStandard said at 5:47 pm on March 15th, 2011:
[...] Adapt » Blog Archive » Mental disorder posters. This entry was posted in culture, health and tagged art, mental disorders, ocs, posters. Bookmark the permalink. ← Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-03-12 [...]
ruth spiegel said at 6:03 pm on March 15th, 2011:
These are fantastic. I hope you continue along the theme of mental disorders. WOW! When will you sell these?
Rebecca said at 11:44 pm on March 15th, 2011:
I only have experience with 1, depression, but you nailed it!
giantmecha // Blog Archive // Minimalist posters about mental disorders said at 12:46 am on March 16th, 2011:
[...] More here. [...]
GID said at 5:15 am on March 16th, 2011:
Gender Identity disorder is actually really offensive to trans people. When was the last time you heard of a mental disorder being cured by plastic surgery? That’s because G.I.D is not really a disorder.
Patrick said at 11:42 am on March 16th, 2011:
@GID When I set out to create these posters, I started my research like most average people at Wikipedia and used this as a foundation. The definition of Gender Identity Disorder is a controversial area. This ranges far deeper than I could hope to address in this series. Apologies if any offense is caused.
Progolog » Mentale Störungen visualisiert said at 1:50 pm on March 16th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith hat mit diesem Projekt Mentale Störungen an Hand von minimalistischen Posterdesigns dargestellt. Ziemlich gelungen, wie ich finde. Allerdings nicht nur um mal die Missverständnisse um die Begrifflichkeit “Platzangst” aus dem Weg zu schaffen. [...]
Nicki » Mental Disorder Posters said at 2:02 pm on March 16th, 2011:
[...] Mental Disorder Posters by Graphic Patrick [...]
Simon H. said at 7:35 pm on March 16th, 2011:
Brilliant. Featured here: http://www.facebook.com/gomedia/posts/189648291071536
The High Definite » Minimalist Posters For Mental Disorders | Mentlog said at 7:38 pm on March 16th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith: I was doing some research about mental health and I came across a list of mental disorders. I [...]
Andy W. said at 1:47 am on March 17th, 2011:
These are AWESOME. I keep staring at the OCD one and it’s driving me out of my tiny little mind. While I can only speak to a couple of them from personal experience, as far as I’m concerned you’ve nailed it.

I encourage you to extend the series and I hope that I get to see the results.
Minimalist Posters of Mental Disorders | THAT PANIC said at 5:03 pm on March 17th, 2011:
[...] MORE. Share and Enjoy: [...]
minimalist mental disorder posters | clusterflock said at 6:17 pm on March 17th, 2011:
[...] here [...]
Caitlin said at 2:49 am on March 18th, 2011:
These are really lovely and would be a great way to promote awareness of mental disorders. As a person suffering from Bi Polar Disorder, seeing things like this really make me feel better. Knowing that people who do not suffer from mental illness are researching them and trying to raise awareness means a lot to me.

Thank you.
>Il disagio mentale illustrato in chiave minimalista « I Die 4 Industrial Design said at 2:20 pm on March 18th, 2011:
[...] Fobie e manie sono state ritratte con poche linee e riescono ad arrivare al nocciolo di ogni questione con precisione. Le immagini risultano così potentemente simboliche ed evitano la retorica che ogni tratto in più avrebbe potuto tradire. [...]
Craig B said at 3:43 pm on March 18th, 2011:
Are these available for purchase? I work for an organization that funds mental health services for kids and these would be great in our office.
Steverett said at 5:36 pm on March 18th, 2011:
You should do a little more research; the first one depicts OCPD, not OCD.
Patrick said at 7:23 pm on March 18th, 2011:
@Steverett Thanks for your comment. I have OCPD myself and I found out more about this condition after doing research on OCD. Unfortunately, I had already created the posters and I haven”t had a chance retro-fit them – something I will address. Although indicators of OCPD may be seen in a person with OCD, I agree that there is often a misconception.
Tyler said at 7:24 pm on March 18th, 2011:
Can you please let us know if you end up making these available for sale? I won’t repeat all of the kudos above (okay I will: they’re brilliant).
Patrick said at 7:29 pm on March 18th, 2011:
Lot’s of people are asking if these posters are for sale. Thanks for your interest and sorry if I can’t answer you all individually. I would like to print these and I am considering the options of involving a charity. Watch this space.
Minimalisme | Lamahange said at 7:42 pm on March 18th, 2011:
[...] zekere Patrick Smith heeft deze minimalistische posters ontworpen. Met minimale middelen beeldt hij psychische ziektes [...]
recolector.de blogs tecnológicos » Blog Archive » Pósteres minimalistas sobre fobias y estados mentales said at 9:13 am on March 19th, 2011:
[...] tremenda este póster y necesitas arreglarlo, pues ya sabes: tienes un T.O.C.. Es parte de la serie Pósteres de desórdenes mentales, de Adapt, donde se resumen en imágenes minimalistas los síntomas y lo que se siente con algunos [...]
Emmy-Lou said at 10:39 am on March 19th, 2011:
Hi Patrick..

Love these! I’m a mental health nurse and I think these are great to really get across of what an illness may look like to someone suffering it. I could really see some of my patients receiving these well.

Just some ideas: I’d like to see a psychosis, anxiety and a schizophrenia one. I think you could get inspiration from artwork by people suffering these illnesses – they often portray it perfectly
Pósteres minimalistas sobre fobias y estados mentales | Las mejores web en español said at 10:48 am on March 19th, 2011:
[...] tremenda este póster y necesitas arreglarlo, pues ya sabes: tienes un T.O.C.. Es parte de la serie Pósteres de desórdenes mentales, de Adapt, donde se resumen en imágenes minimalistas los síntomas y lo que se siente con algunos [...]
Criptus said at 10:58 am on March 19th, 2011:
Me gustan los posters o imagenes que resumen perfectamente algo, ya sea un estado mental, una pelicula o un grupo de musica.

Muy buenas, sobre todo el de narcolepsia.
IanH said at 1:50 pm on March 19th, 2011:
Really like these – if you do requests, would suggest self-injury as a useful addition.

You’ve probably already thought of this, but these would make a fantastic set of postcards (or stamps, if we were continuing the snail-mail theme), as well as t-shirts. Am very tempted to print off a couple of images to put up above my computer.
miminalist mental disorders | Mentlog said at 3:00 pm on March 19th, 2011:
[...] via http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk [...]
Nicole Tripp said at 3:16 pm on March 19th, 2011:
These are really brilliant Patrick! I’m in line with some others here though, that “Gender Identity Disorder” is along the lines of how homosexuals are often interpreted as needing spiritual counseling to “reform.” Transgender is not a disease, mental or otherwise, and transgender youth suffer more suicides and bullying than any other group. People easily toss them aside because it’s easier than taking a stand, or learning the facts to educate. If you’re truly interested in educating about mental health, perhaps you could make a note under your “GID” design? I have a great deal of respect for your trying to bring forth awareness of mental health disorders and applaud you for it, but you are also indirectly facilitating un-truth about GID at the same time, and I work with kids that will live their whole lives with that kind of unintentional marginalization.

Thank you again for these beautiful designs; I think my favorite is “Agoraphobia,” that one really drives home the fear of being cornered without escape!
Carol said at 3:42 pm on March 19th, 2011:
El de narcolepsia me causo mucha gracia, claro como yo no sufro de eso.
Pósteres minimalistas sobre fobias y estados mentales | Reparacion Ordenadores Cantabria said at 5:15 pm on March 19th, 2011:
[...] tremenda este póster y necesitas arreglarlo, pues ya sabes: tienes un T.O.C.. Es parte de la serie Pósteres de desórdenes mentales, de Adapt, donde se resumen en imágenes minimalistas los síntomas y lo que se siente con algunos [...]
Posters de desórdenes mentales said at 5:18 pm on March 19th, 2011:
[...] Posters de desórdenes mentales http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk/2010/08/mental-disorder-posters/  por detawah hace 3 segundos [...]
miminalist mental disorders | Mentlog | Mentlog said at 9:00 pm on March 19th, 2011:
[...] via http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk [...]
dylan said at 9:52 pm on March 19th, 2011:
love these, can you do one for ADD?
Jean Power said at 12:26 am on March 20th, 2011:
Hi Patrick, these are great images, I am also interested in mental health and my current project is to create awarness also, the more people can do this the better.WELL DONE
Laura said at 1:12 am on March 20th, 2011:
They are amazing! Clean and simple, but really well made. congrats
Tasevski said at 2:13 am on March 20th, 2011:
I study psychopathology at the moment and this minimalist way of explanation for mental phenomena is much better even than the long monologue in a theater dedicated to such similar mental disorder (you did a fantastic job)
k said at 2:32 am on March 20th, 2011:
You are an ignorant, hateful fool for perpetuating the myth of “gender identity disorder”. Even more so since you left that picture up after people called you out on it.

That is all.
Nupur Maskara said at 4:08 am on March 20th, 2011:
Awesome! What a great change from information overload:0
Kat said at 6:07 am on March 20th, 2011:
Not gonna lie, the Narcolepsy one me laugh a little.
>.>
Jessica said at 11:55 am on March 20th, 2011:
Hi Patrick

Can these posters be purchased? If so how and for how much?
Robin said at 1:23 pm on March 20th, 2011:
These are fantastic. I teach Introduction to Psychology and ask my students to create informational flyers/posters but I’m going to share your ideas for those with a more creative flair and challenge them to create some of their own. Thanks, I think this will challenge students to think about the disorders is a little different way.
Pamela Donehew said at 1:36 pm on March 20th, 2011:
Can I purchase these posters? Where, and how? I teach Advanced Placement Psychology and find that visual representations make powerful statements to many students. I have posters all around my room and I would love to add these. These posters are inventive and creative. I especially like depression poster.
Desordenes mentales en poster. | Adlover said at 5:50 pm on March 20th, 2011:
[...] Serie de posters minimalistas hechos por Adapt. [...]
Arte e disturbi mentali - Generale, Notizie - RiabilitazionePsichiatrica.com said at 6:27 pm on March 20th, 2011:
[...] Oggi mi sento un quadratino

È possibile rappresentare graficamente alcuni dei maggiori disturbi mentali che affliggono le persone? Patrick Smith crede di sì e la sua arte minimal ce lo dimostra [...]
mental disorder poster copy paste « Alexdlfcraft's Blog said at 11:49 pm on March 20th, 2011:
[...] August 31st, 2010 84 Comments [...]
Pari said at 11:49 pm on March 20th, 2011:
o.c.d.’s is killing my nervers, I wanna put the square in the right place so bad!!!

awsome job
Matt - started treatment for Narcalepsy last Friday!!!! said at 10:25 am on March 21st, 2011:
Just wondered what the triangles singnified (if anything) in the Narcalepsy poster??
Erik said at 12:06 pm on March 21st, 2011:
From someone who suffers from OCD, the OCD poster makes me want to tear my hair out.

A few different posters I think would be cool for you to make are Bipolar Disorder, Paranoia, and Schizophrenia. You don’t have to, of course. Artist’s choice.
Laura said at 1:28 pm on March 21st, 2011:
Nice job!!!

I Like it!

Greetings from a spanish psychologist
Patrick said at 1:36 pm on March 21st, 2011:
@Matt – the triangles in this case signify the state of being of an individual. I will leave the rest up to you. I would be interested to hear what you make of this interpretation, as you seem to be undergoing treatment.
Mental disorder posters said at 3:28 am on March 22nd, 2011:
[...] just find these stunning minimalist posters about mental disorders, designed by the British designer Patrick [...]
Jacob said at 5:04 pm on March 22nd, 2011:
I am actually using these in my senior presentation on Personality Development and Mental Disorders. Very good job.
Pósteres minimalistas sobre fobias y estados mentales : Apolorama Netzine // Arte + Cultura + Tecnología + Música said at 7:33 pm on March 22nd, 2011:
[...] y sientes la necesidad de modificarlo, pues ya sabes: tienes un T.O.C.. Es parte de la serie Pósteres de trastornos mentales, de Adapt, donde se resumen en imágenes minimalistas los síntomas y lo que se siente con algunos [...]
Geometry « I am not some kind of artist* I am not some kind of artist* said at 10:17 pm on March 22nd, 2011:
[...] strong, sexy and meaningful it can be! This morning I found this amazing poster designed by Patrick Smith and this made my [...]
Narcoleptic said at 12:34 am on March 23rd, 2011:
All of these really spoke to me, and I felt they really represented themselves well, except for the one that I would expect to speak to me the most: narcolepsy, since I have been struggling with it for years. I think I sort of get it- everyone else is up and your always down? I just didn’t find it really captured how tiresome narcolepsy actually is and how emotionall draining it is.
Thoughts?
Desórdenes intelectuales: Trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC) | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 9:20 am on March 23rd, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC)", [...]
Alex said at 9:40 am on March 23rd, 2011:
Would also love to see a poster on ADD/ADHD!
Adapt » Blog Archive » My view on gender identity has been challenged said at 10:51 am on March 23rd, 2011:
[...] August 2010 I created a series of posters that tried to define 7 Mental Disorders. My aim was to start a dialogue in the digitally savvy [...]
Rose (German to English translator) said at 1:00 pm on March 23rd, 2011:
Fantastic work.

I recently had a bit of a debate with a friend about Gender Identity ‘Disorder’. One of my good friends is f-m trans, and, moreover, a trans rights campaigner – even from before my friend switched (and was a lesbian). As such, I am quite aware and sensitive about the issue. I was shocked that some quite politically aware people still find it very hard to understand gender identity issues, failing to understand how it can be hurtful to be referred to as their birth-gender, or how anyone can really want to be a different gender.

I applaud you for being open to criticism, learning more and so openly expressing your revised opinion. You have done trans people a great service.
Les posters minimalistes des désordres mentaux | golem13 said at 3:30 pm on March 23rd, 2011:
[...] source [...]
Desórdenes intelectuales: Agorafobia | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 6:55 am on March 24th, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Agorafobia", url: [...]
Lynoth said at 2:46 pm on March 24th, 2011:
These are really great. I wonder what bipolar looks like to you…
Lynoth said at 3:17 pm on March 24th, 2011:
Very nice posters, I especially like the agoraphobia one. I would be interested to see what you do with bipolar; I imagine it would be difficult to step away from the overdone pop culture visual metaphors though.
vho said at 8:32 pm on March 24th, 2011:
I think the ODC poster is misleading, and kind of plays into the stereotype of OCD being about neatening things up. I feel like the design should illuminate something at the core of a disorder, help us understand it more deeply, and your poster, while neat, doesn’t really do that for me.
Julie Flygare said at 8:39 pm on March 24th, 2011:
Very interesting! As a lover of art and a person with narcolepsy, I was very excited to see your designs. I do see a small aspect of narcolepsy, a neurological autoimmune disorder of the sleep/wake cycle in your design. How I interpreted your work is this – other people standing while the person with narcolepsy is laying down (collapsed or asleep). Or the triangles representing one person standing throughout a day and then down at an odd interval. The true experience if narcolepsy is not as cookie-cutter nor simple as this. It’s more like living in a middle world between dreams and reality. The cells that are missing in the brains of people with narcolepsy are believed to regulate the boundaries between waking, sleeping and dreaming. Aspects of REM sleep are inappropriately triggered at the wrong times in the brains of people with narcolepsy – including when they are conscious. Imagine part of your brain is dreaming and another part is conscious – experiencing that dream. It’s a fascinating disorder and I think if you learn a bit more about it – you may come up with a truly remarkable visual representation. Thank you for your work in this area – it’s bold, important and thought-provoking!
Allessa said at 5:05 am on March 25th, 2011:
I would throughly enjoy owning these one day. Please contact me if you ever put them into production!
Minimalist Mental Disorder Posters | CMYBacon said at 2:30 pm on March 25th, 2011:
[...] (Via Adapt) [...]
holly said at 3:04 pm on March 25th, 2011:
i’m suprised no-one has made a comment about Narcolepsy being included here. “Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder. It is not caused by mental illness or psychological problems.” http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_narcolepsy_000098_2.htm
i think of Gender Identity Disorder being real, it’s a disorder because something isn’t right, but i think it’s a physical thing rather than a mental health thing.
i really like the look of the posters but i think you need to be careful about checking the definitions before you do any more. your style is really clear and eye-catching.
writteninthemargins said at 4:51 pm on March 25th, 2011:
Your visual description of OCD in particular is so accurate that I (a person with accute OCD) want to “put the square back” so much so that I can barely look at it. I think that demonstrates to the core the incredible power of minimalism.
Saraiah said at 6:22 pm on March 25th, 2011:
Patrick, I hope that you will keep doing more research about the disorders you’ve publicized here. As Holly has mentioned, narcolepsy is not a psychiatric disorder. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder which results from the autoimmune destruction of a certain type of brain cells, called hypocretin cells. Without hypocretin cells, the brain can no longer appropriately coordinate the timing of many physiological processes. That includes the timing of sleep and waking.

People with narcolepsy face extraordinary difficulty because of the widespread misunderstanding of the diagnosis. I hope that you will do the necessary research to retract your characterization of narcolepsy as a mental disorder. A good place to start is the Stanford University Center for Narcolepsy at http://med.stanford.edu/school/Psychiatry/narcolepsy/.
Robert said at 9:11 pm on March 25th, 2011:
I presently am a resident at the world renown OCD Institute @ McLean Hospital, and I would say that the majority of the patients here do not conform the stereotype depicted in the OCD poster. Of course the minimal design can be interpreted in many ways, but the apparent reference to the tired associations of OCD & neatness/ symmetry/organization do not fully represent the spectrum of OCD. As a user stated above, you should address the “core” of OCD instead, as the obsessions & compulsions are a product of an anxiety rather than the root.
jamie zzzz said at 6:05 am on March 26th, 2011:
Ditto on the previous comments about narcolepsy. Love your work as a whole.
Bob King said at 8:04 am on March 27th, 2011:
DID: One colour? Really?

Minimalism requires the least amount of information to communicate the essential concept.

…so you need a spectrum. but in the same way as GID is not a disorder, neither is DID, per se.

unless you define multiple personalities as being “wrong” because it is “uncommon” and therefore “abnormal.”

which, btw, is exactly why there is a distinction between europe and North America on this topic.

…speaking as a functional multiple, and a graphic artist.
Posters De Desordenes Mentales | Buffete said at 9:21 pm on March 27th, 2011:
[...] [Mental Disorder Posters] [...]
Disordini mentali, i poster « Surus said at 6:06 am on March 28th, 2011:
[...] via | adaptcreative.co.uk [...]
Minimalist Mental Disorder Posters | CMYBacon | Mentlog said at 11:33 am on March 28th, 2011:
[...] (Via Adapt) [...]
Robot Activate » Mental Disorder Posters said at 11:05 am on March 29th, 2011:
[...] More here! Tweet This [...]
Brittany said at 9:32 pm on March 29th, 2011:
I studied the Developmental Services Worker Program at a college in Canada and I really wish we used these posters as examples. They are so simple, yet just by looking at them you can already understand the disorder just by guessing.

Since 99% of people ask what the DSW program is I will include that as well… it is a program for people who are looking to work with individuals who have mental, intellectual or physical disabilities.
Jose Gpe. Hernandez Vargas said at 7:12 am on March 30th, 2011:
Apreciable Patrick: Me gustaron mucho tus posters minimalistas en los que describes algunos desordenes mentales. Creo que lo intentas hacer con respeto y precision puesto que eres un artista grafico (brillante, diria yo) y no un profesional de la psicologia. Las criticas, -algunas muy academicas y otras mas injustas y llenas de enojo-, me parecen inadecuadas, porque el proposito es invitar a las personas a reflexionar acerca de estos problemas y no intentar una definicion super precisa y exacta de cada trastorno y luego hacer el dibujo del mismo. Aprecio mucho tu trabajo y te agradezco que por medio del mismo podamos explicar en forma sencilla y precisa, algo tan complejo como lo es un trastorno de la personalidad.

Jose Gpe. Hernandes Vargas, Ph. D.

–
Translated with Google Translate:
Dear Patrick: I really like your minimalist posters which describe certain mental disorders. I think trying to do with respect and precision because you are a graphic artist (brilliant, I’d say) and not a professional psychology. Criticism, “some very academic and other more unfair and full of anger, ” I seem inadequate, because the purpose is to invite people to think about these issues and not try a super precise and accurate definition of each disorder and then make the drawing of it. I appreciate your work and I thank you that through it we can explain in simple and precise, something as complex as a personality disorder.
A said at 10:03 am on March 30th, 2011:
I am also looking forward to seeing what you would come up with regarding bipolar disorder.

My favorite so far is OCD, I also very much appreciate the eating disorder poster. If I understand it properly, then you have really captured the essence of this disorder.

It would also be interesting to see:
avoidant personality disorder
schizophrenia
dependent personality disorder
narccisism
panic disorder
Design Crush » In Print 3.30.11 said at 2:01 pm on March 30th, 2011:
[...] OCD, Graphic Patrick (check out the whole line of Mental Disorders posters) [...]
Jean said at 9:35 pm on March 30th, 2011:
These are great!
Meg said at 11:09 am on March 31st, 2011:
Mental health awareness doesn’t actually do any good — in fact, it’s provided more stigmatization for people with mental disorders than was already present. It’s, perhaps, useful for the people with the disorder, personally; however, that’s about it.

That being said, I did enjoy your work.
RetroCreamParlour»Blog Archive » Mental disorder posters said at 11:13 am on March 31st, 2011:
[...] Meer op: Mental disorder posters [...]
Tina said at 5:55 pm on March 31st, 2011:
Having sampled most of the states in your poster, I would suggest replacing “disorder” with “discomfort”. Classifying a compulsion with order as a disorder is whimsical for starters, DSM be damned.

Discomfort is the common underlying theme in all examples showcased here; ditch “disorder” (no one knows what mental order is anyway) and you get to keep your take on GID
Therese said at 7:39 pm on March 31st, 2011:
Hi! I’m in love with your art! Can I buy them somewhere?
Kate said at 12:52 am on April 1st, 2011:
If you ever decide to print these professionally, please let me know. I would love to have the OCD one on my wall.
Hiển thị hóa các rối loạn tâm thần « Tâm Ngã said at 1:30 pm on April 1st, 2011:
[...] thị hóa các rối loạn tâm thần của một tay thiết kế người Anh tên Patrick này, và muốn chọn đăng hai cái trong toàn bộ số [...]
Mental Disorder… | said at 11:01 am on April 2nd, 2011:
[...] designed by Patrick Smith. share: Share on bebo Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Share on dzone Recommend [...]
Mental disorder posters « NCutting said at 12:53 am on April 3rd, 2011:
[...] Link [...]
best of the blogs. « wabi wabi said at 1:38 am on April 3rd, 2011:
[...] Kelly over at design crush sourced these fascinating minimally designed mental disorder posters by graphic patrick. They are quite wonderfully insightful, I [...]
joe said at 2:03 am on April 3rd, 2011:
MENTAL DISORDERS ARE NOT CURABLE. THEY ARE NOT THE PROBLEM, PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO CONDONE THE USE OF PSYCHOPATHIC DRUGS ARE THE PROBLEM.
Designlov » Pôsteres de distúrbios mentais said at 5:33 pm on April 3rd, 2011:
[...] Via Adapt Creative [...]
kdestun said at 7:02 pm on April 3rd, 2011:
nice work! as for the debate of gender identity, kudos to you for putting your work out there, then being open enough to consider other perceptions about the topic. You have reached one of your goals to raise awareness, and start conversations on the topic, as an artist that is what you do. Even if the opinions that you changed are your own. nicely done.
Karin said at 9:31 pm on April 3rd, 2011:
Very nice! Any ideas about dementia yet?
OCD « My Computer Made This said at 11:13 pm on April 3rd, 2011:
[...] http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk/2010/08/mental-disorder-posters/ [...]
mental disorder + graphic design | jumpstarting a life with a little spark to the head said at 2:36 am on April 4th, 2011:
[...] My friend Jeremy told me about a British designer Patrick Smith who’s created posters that bring minimalist design and mental health awareness together. See all of them here. [...]
Desórdenes intelectuales: Narcolepsia | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 8:54 am on April 4th, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Narcolepsia", url: [...]
Minimal disorder « it's a small web said at 1:51 pm on April 4th, 2011:
[...] Smith wrote on Adapt, his personal blog “I was doing some research about mental health and I came across a list of mental disorders. [...]
mental monday « the natterist said at 9:19 pm on April 4th, 2011:
[...] by patrick smith @ [adaptcreative.co.uk] [...]
Liz said at 3:32 am on April 5th, 2011:
As a future psychologist (currently in school), I would love to purchase these prints for an office. They are very minimalist yet effective at conveying the issue behind some of the more common psychological disorders. Excellent work.
Liz said at 3:36 am on April 5th, 2011:
Also, “Joe”, not only is your comment landing in the wrong place for such issues; but certain mental disorders like bipolar REQUIRE treatment with psychiatric drugs like lithium. The ideal situation is in combination with therapy. The point of this post is some excellent design that draws attention to some of the more common psychological disorders not to prescribe courses of action.
Tamara G. Suttle, M.Ed.,LPC said at 4:37 am on April 5th, 2011:
You’ve done an amazing and beautiful job! Can’t wait to hear how you end up marketing them. Love the idea of postcards!
Mental Disorder Posters | Just Freshly Squeezed said at 2:24 pm on April 5th, 2011:
[...] For more info: http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk/2010/08/mental-disorder-posters/ [...]
Mental disorder posters | said at 3:06 pm on April 5th, 2011:
[...] Mental Disorder Posters [...]
Mental Disorder Posters « ideascanners said at 4:08 pm on April 5th, 2011:
[...] British designer Patrick Smith has created a great series of Mental Disorder Posters. [...]
Mental disorder posters | Ashli Yuan said at 9:16 am on April 6th, 2011:
[...] in Adapt by: Patrick Filed under Goods Click here to cancel [...]
Lauren said at 6:43 am on April 7th, 2011:
The OCD one is still fucking aggravating me haha!
Michael said at 1:09 am on April 8th, 2011:
Here is a poster for ADHD –
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++=====____————-(((((((
$$$$###########@@@@@@@@+++
+++++++++++*********Hey look a squirrel
Desórdenes intelectuales: Anorexia Nervosa | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 9:08 am on April 8th, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Anorexia Nervosa", url: [...]
WELOVECOM | Desórdenes mentales explicados con diseño said at 11:09 am on April 8th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith ha creado una serie de carteles que explican diferentes desórdenes mentales, de forma minimalista y muy visual. Impecable. [...]
Izzy said at 4:04 pm on April 8th, 2011:
hey! these are fantastic
definitely approach mind
x
Desórdenes intelectuales: Depresión | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 7:31 am on April 9th, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Depresión", url: [...]
Desórdenes intelectuales: Desórdenes intelectuales: Transtorno de Identidad Disociativo (TID) | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 8:10 am on April 10th, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Desórdenes intelectuales: Transtorno [...]
英國設計師Patrick :: Ocean Design 禾洋商業設計 said at 4:42 am on April 11th, 2011:
[...] 分享英國設計師帕特里克史密斯平面設計作品心理障礙系列海報，目前為自由創意設計者與藝術總監的功做，Patrick此系列的海報作品..讓平面設計的精隨與力量表現的淋漓盡致，點.線.面.基本構成..與色彩運用都非常的上乘，將*心理障礙*系列海報的主題..用最簡單的構成發揮最大的視覺震撼。 [...]
Desórdenes intelectuales: Disforia de género | Minusvalido.net Blog said at 8:51 am on April 11th, 2011:
[...] en AdaptCreative.co.uk) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Desórdenes intelectuales: Disforia de género", url: [...]
El Blog de la Negreta » Desordre mental said at 9:20 am on April 11th, 2011:
[...] sèrie de cartells de Patrick Smith vol plasma gràficament alguns dels desordres mentals. Per aconseguir-ho utilitza el minimalisme i [...]
Feedgeeks » Mental Disorder Poster said at 3:33 pm on April 11th, 2011:
[...] Minimalist design poster about mental disorder designed by Adapt [...]
Jenn said at 4:57 pm on April 11th, 2011:
I think these are brilliant, and am surprised by some of the harsh and really rude criticism. It’s pretty obvious from the work itself that you are a graphic artist with a sympathetic viewpoint, not a physician trying to make a perfect description of a diagnosable “disease.” May I re-post them?
Mental Disorder Posters said at 12:03 pm on April 12th, 2011:
[...] See more here. [...]
Anna said at 2:49 pm on April 14th, 2011:
Nice! As a psychology student I tried to guess them all. Like the OCD, Anorexia and Narcolepsy. Maybe cuz they where the ones I could guess Interesting approach nevertheless- trying to express diagnoses like that in a minimalistic way reflects the pure essence of what diagnoses are in my point of view, a bit stereotyping and reductional. Maybe another approach would be to make a series of illustrations that are in themselves much more diverse, as the ppl being diagnosed with various diagnoses are. Thank you for a this fun and bold work!
Mental disorder graphics said at 8:58 am on April 15th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith has a minimalist look at mental disorders: I was doing some research about mental health and I came across a list of mental disorders. I [...]
chariti said at 11:02 am on April 15th, 2011:
idea?
narcissistic: circle in the middle surrounded by a bunch of other cirlcles each with an arrow from each pointing to the inner circle.

But since the “about me” is perceived, that may not be clear enough/accurate.
Momoko Price said at 3:44 pm on April 15th, 2011:
This is so cool.

While I agree that the OCD one is conceptually the most clever/elegant/evocative, as someone who has battled clinical depression again and again (and will continue to do so I’m sure), the depression poster is spot on. I passed it along to my partner, who has quite a time trying to understand what happens to me when I go from happy, happy, fun girl to can’t-even-get-out-of-bed-to-eat.

Thanks for this! Keep up the great work!
Momoko Price said at 3:44 pm on April 15th, 2011:
Oh yeah — have you considered doing Panic Disorder?
Anne Marie said at 12:25 am on April 16th, 2011:
@Robert: It’s world-renowned when used as an adjective but bragging about your residency doesn’t change that minimalist art cannot capture the entire spectrum of a disorder.
Anne Marie said at 12:31 am on April 16th, 2011:
“Mental health awareness doesn’t actually do any good — in fact, it’s provided more stigmatization for people with mental disorders than was already present. It’s, perhaps, useful for the people with the disorder, personally; however, that’s about it.”

What? It’s only good for people with disorders but it’s bad for them because it stigmatizes the disorders? Awareness would be great. If people understood mental illnesses better, it would be a lot easier to NOT be stigmatized. When people are moody and say OMG I’M SO BIPOLAR or call themselves “OCD” when they are particular about one thing or make that stupid, “I’m not schizophrenic and neither am I!” joke, they are showing profound ignorance and a lack of awareness that hurt those with the disorder. Awareness would make a lot of difference.
Anne Marie said at 12:33 am on April 16th, 2011:
@Michael, this is why we need more awareness of mental health issues. ADHD is not like that at all.
Anne Marie said at 12:34 am on April 16th, 2011:
“MENTAL DISORDERS ARE NOT CURABLE. THEY ARE NOT THE PROBLEM, PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO CONDONE THE USE OF PSYCHOPATHIC DRUGS ARE THE PROBLEM.”

@Joe:
1. No one mentioned drugs but you.
2. I’d rather be happy and alive than dead without them.
3. Why are you screaming?
4. Are you Tom Cruise?
The Curious Brain » Mental disorder posters said at 12:11 pm on April 16th, 2011:
[...] A list of mental disorders defined in a minimal style by Graphic Patrick’s adapt creative [...]
Gallery Site » Blog Archive » Mental disorder graphics said at 6:19 pm on April 16th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith has a minimalist look at mental disorders: I was doing some research about mental health and I came across a list of mental disorders. I [...]
Posters minimalistas que representan algunos trastornos mentales (6 fotos) — Tecnoculto said at 7:01 pm on April 16th, 2011:
[...] Fuente [...]
cake said at 12:28 am on April 17th, 2011:
You are tackling very in depth concepts and your designs should reflect this. I feel that you really need to rethink basic visual concepts like form, line, shape, and especially color.

Why would depression be represented by a square, let alone a white square? Why would an agoraphobic square look like it is about to venture out into a bright open space? Why would a circle with dissociative identity disorder repeat the same color and shape?

Also, rethink your backgrounds. They dominate most of the compositions yet, the majority of them appear to be picked arbitrarily.

Your framing elements are all identical as well. Vertical rectangles. Just because it is a poster, doesn’t mean it has to fit in a poster frame.

This is only meant as constructive criticism so don’t take it personally. I think the ideas are good but they need a lot of refinement. Trying to minimize such in depth concepts is extremely difficult. Keep working at it!
Nico said at 8:59 am on April 17th, 2011:
watching at the OCD poster, it comes to my mind that it really looks like an array of atoms in a crystal with one of them in a defective position. Guess what: most of the time, in the big majority of cases, in nature you will find a defect crystal instead of a perfect one. Moreover, from defects arise the astonishing colours of rubies and a bunch of properties that we use for hi-tech applications.
Think of it. It’s not about looking at a “disordered” person but at how it grows up.
Deborah said at 4:46 pm on April 17th, 2011:
wow, these are awesome. really hope you can do some more and that you go far.
truely epic stuff
RedHeadFashionista said at 10:40 am on April 18th, 2011:
These are brilliant. I particularly appreciate the Anorexia one.
Mental Disorder Posters | Colorzine said at 1:52 pm on April 18th, 2011:
[...] nice minimalist posters about mental disorders by British designer Patrick Smith (aka Graphic [...]
Mog said at 2:22 pm on April 18th, 2011:
I love these but you really need manic depression (bipolar disorder).
Minimal Style Posters about Mental Disorders « ScienceRoll said at 3:32 pm on April 18th, 2011:
[...] Smith did some research about mental disorders and decided to try to visualize these conditions through minimal style posters. Amazing job! Here is one [...]
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-04-18 | truetech said at 8:03 pm on April 18th, 2011:
[...] infographics of mental disorders: http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk/2010/08/mental-disorder-posters/ [...]
Representación gráfica de desórdenes mentales | Geek Tecnología said at 8:53 pm on April 18th, 2011:
[...] Mental disorder posters [...]
Michael Durwin said at 8:59 pm on April 18th, 2011:
I don’t like the OCD poster. It’s chaos. I mean, have you seen that cube out of place. SOMEBODY PLEASE FIX IT!
vj said at 11:07 pm on April 18th, 2011:
How about one for bipolar disorder?
PeachyKeenPDX said at 5:54 am on April 19th, 2011:
I think these are extraordinary and would also like to see your take on ADD or anxiety. Bravo, color me impressed!
Minimalist Mental Health Posters | PEI Curmudgeon's Blog said at 11:26 am on April 19th, 2011:
[...] Mental Health Posters Posted on April 19, 2011 by peicurmudgeon I tripped over a post at Adapt where a graphic designer created several posters that illustrate mental illness using an [...]
Mental Disorder Posters | Laughing Out Loud said at 1:46 pm on April 19th, 2011:
[...] Designed by Patrick Smith… [...]
CR said at 3:00 pm on April 19th, 2011:
It doesn’t surprise me that you received overly sensitive complaints on this topic. It’s not a stretch to imagine someone with gender identity disorder who thinks that it can be cured simply by taking some hormone pills and installing some silicone tits would be as concerned with how people view their disorder as they are with how their body looks.

My point is Gender Identity Disorder cannot be fully “cured” with plastic surgery. It IS a disorder. Your mentality disagrees with your physiology and plastic surgery is not a mental fix, it is aesthetic. Therapy may not be necessary for everyone who wants to build a pole over their hole, but it is for those with Gender identity Disorder: a genuine medcal term used to describe those who struggle internally with issues of identity not externally with issues of appearance.
CR said at 3:14 pm on April 19th, 2011:
Furthermore, art is ALL ABOUT those feelings of comfort or anger that you illicit in people. As far as I’m concerned, your art is less about what you wanted to say to people as it is about what they heard (whether or not you like it). I would not be ashamed of a piece that was abler to elicit such a wide and passionate range of complicated emotions about people revealing our society’s wide range of emotions about a very charged topic. Some of the most interesting art is that that produces valid yet mutually exclusive responses in the public.
MS said at 12:09 am on April 20th, 2011:
I haven’t read all the comments but wanted to chime in. I feel the posters are OK but also they do not give any special insight. I feel they still need more work. To surpass the already generally known characteristics.
agoraphobia for instance should be off-center slightly left or right. Depression suddenly to me has a feeling of hope since a little white dot reminds me of “the light at the end of the tunnel”. My general critique is that they all are too centered. Disorders are offbeat unbalanced in dissarray that’s why they are disorders in the first place. They are not harmonious states.
You are right about going back and questioning the GID you should do this on every one of the disorders and find the peculiarities in each one of them.
Adapt » Blog Archive » Mental disorder posters | the psychocurator said at 4:06 am on April 20th, 2011:
[...] Adapt » Blog Archive » Mental disorder posters 19 April ktuzinski Adapt » Blog Archive » Mental disorder posters. [...]
Harriette said at 7:32 am on April 22nd, 2011:
having studied these mental disorders, I think the illustrations are amazing!
rfvedott said at 9:37 am on April 22nd, 2011:
Thank you for this superb and informative web page. I will be able to discuss this with my friends and also I will come once more to see a lot more exciting details.
Crystal said at 8:42 pm on April 22nd, 2011:
Just thought you should know, narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder, it’s not a mental illness or a mental disorder. With mental disorders, recovery is possible. There is no recovering from Narcolepsy, it is permanent and uncurable. As for your poster, I like it. As a person with Narcolepsy, I think it sums it up in the simplest illustration. Good luck with your other posters!
Microsiervos | Linkeando said at 2:17 am on April 23rd, 2011:
[...] tremenda este póster y necesitas arreglarlo, pues ya sabes: tienes un T.O.C.. Es parte de la serie Pósteres de desórdenes mentales, de Adapt, donde se resumen en imágenes minimalistas los síntomas y lo que se siente con algunos [...]
nipperblog » Blog Archive » Quite clever said at 5:52 pm on April 23rd, 2011:
[...] Yes, really quite clever. You can see a lot more, over here. [...]
Allie said at 5:06 am on April 25th, 2011:
Narcolepsy is not a mental illness or a mental disorder. I’d take it out. It’s like saying epilepsy is a mental disorder, and as a poster above pointed out, it isn’t. Perhaps extended this to neurological disorders would be a good jumping-off point, as I think you’ve done a fine job with the other ones. Just wanted to say that!
Mental disorder posters | Posters sobre enfermedades mentales | Blog de Mhou said at 2:25 pm on May 5th, 2011:
[...] gusta el trabajo de Graphic Patrick sobre la salud mental, creo que se transmite cada concepto de manera muy clara. Según explica en su [...]
DeEtte said at 1:34 am on May 6th, 2011:
Do you sell these?
sometimes i feel this way… « noodle 'n thread said at 4:04 am on May 11th, 2011:
[...] {Poster from Adapt Creative.} [...]
Narcolepsy « Psycoloca's Blog said at 8:51 am on May 11th, 2011:
[...] Fuente: http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk/2010/08/mental-disorder-posters/ [...]
O QUE É ISSO ? » Blog Archive » Cartazes transtorno mental said at 2:43 am on May 17th, 2011:
[...] Via Mental Disorder Posters [...]
EACH TO THEIR OWN. « ENJOY EVERYTHING | REGRET NOTHING said at 9:45 pm on May 20th, 2011:
[...] Smith did just that with his series of “Mental Disorder Posters”, that he aimed to put into use alongside a Mental Awareness [...]
Wendy said at 7:40 pm on May 22nd, 2011:
Patrick, I’m a psychology student and design hobbyist. I’m totally amazed by what you’ve done with these, they’re fantastic!
Disturbing the OCDs « miguellanlog said at 10:53 pm on May 22nd, 2011:
[...] http://www.adaptcreative.co.uk/2010/08/mental-disorder-posters/ Categories Uncategorized LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]
Bag of Randomness said at 11:02 am on May 23rd, 2011:
[...] Minimalist Mental Disorder Posters [...]
Posters Minimalistas Que Representam Transtornos Mentais | Design by Insight said at 6:29 pm on May 25th, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith decidiu desafiar suas habilidades de design, criando cartazes que definiu como transtornos mentais em um estilo minimalista. Sua esperança é que um dia eles possam ser usados como parte de um programa de conscientização sobre saúde mental. [...]
LRN said at 6:09 am on May 28th, 2011:
I just came across this and had to comment. As a recovering anorexic and graphic designer with a BA in Psychology, this hit home for me. The idea is wonderful and perfectly executed.
People often feel shame for having a mental disorder or illness. Thank you for bringing up the topic.
By reading the comments, it is obvious you started a dialogue in which people have many varied opinions. For the most part, everyone seems to be coming from a good place.
I think it is great you took out the poster about Gender Identity. You were going by the DSM, which once treated homosexuality as a disorder. I’m glad people spoke up and you listened.
Thank you for the very meaningful design!
▊ Patrick Smith ▊ « said at 8:50 am on May 31st, 2011:
[...] Patrick Smith , designer et directeur artistique américain, a décidé de consacrer sa dernière oeuvre aux troubles mentaux. Pour les représenter, ce dernier a décidé de dessiner de manière très minimaliste 6 posters censés représenter le plus simplement possible chaque trouble. Il espère qu’un jour, son oeuvre puisse être utilisée pour sensibiliser la population aux troubles mentaux, certains étant aujourd’hui largement sous-estimés dans leur impact sur la personne qui en est atteinte. Un travail minimaliste mais néanmoins très bien réalisé puisque chaque poster représente parfaitement le trouble qu’il vise à mettre en avant. [...]
Mental Disorder posters | THE SWAG MAG said at 3:00 pm on June 1st, 2011:
[...] posters are graphically interesting and increase awareness of different mental disorders. Each one represents a specific disorder that are a serious challenge for many people. Now we know [...]
MP said at 8:29 pm on June 9th, 2011:
simple G-R-E-A-T
The Art of Darkness » Blog Archive » Custer’s Last Link Dump said at 12:34 pm on June 10th, 2011:
[...] Mental Disorder Posters – Interesting set of “minimalist” posters designed to raise awareness of various mental disorders. [...]
Steve P. said at 11:30 pm on June 15th, 2011:
Love to hate the OCD poster because it seems so very right, correct, accurate, whatever.

The DID poster also seems pretty accurate, except for it is not a line of overlapping personalities. It should look more like a cluster-the outward spiral of a flower bloom. Something like that. And yes, some connections are linear- a to b to c. As time has gone along a, b, and c now overlap, and d, e are a straight line away from the cluster with limited pathways back to any previous iteration…
Maybe a flow chart looking thing with several options for reset to previous? Dunno.
Anyway, the current art work is as good as any single, integrated personality may be able to understand it.
Perhaps if you take the DID and provide certain conditions for some of the constituent personalities? Give one of them OCD, another gets bi-polar, etc. Perhaps even some of them have no additional issues.
Evan said at 10:39 am on June 16th, 2011:
The OCD and agoraphobia were the most evocative for me. Amazing concept, more in this grain please
Mental Disorder Posters « TOLSCA said at 12:11 am on July 7th, 2011:
[...] Adapt, Design [...]
Mental Disorder Posters | You Creatives said at 8:14 am on July 11th, 2011:
[...] nice minimalist posters about mental disorders by British designer Patrick Smith (aka Graphic [...]
Taylor said at 4:55 am on July 13th, 2011:
This is absolutely retarded.

This is like a real life Mr. Brainwash from Exit Through the Gift Shop.
Emma Jayne said at 10:47 pm on July 15th, 2011:
I think they are beautifully evocative.
Avisos minimalistas que explican enfermedades | Interactivity said at 2:44 pm on July 21st, 2011:
[...] avisos minimalistas que hace un tiempo publicamos en Interactivity. Estos avisos del diseñador Patrick Smith siguen la misma línea, pero tienen como oibjetivo mostrar diversas patologías y desórdenes [...]
Mary said at 1:53 am on July 29th, 2011:
WOW…these are excellent!!!
Ellie said at 8:05 pm on July 29th, 2011:
I think these are really cool. Being bipolar, I am curious to see what you would draw for my disorder. The OCD one made me cringe though….I hate it when squares aren’t straight with each other!
Jorge said at 3:47 am on July 30th, 2011:
If an individual is born male and wishes to be female, vice versa, or is born a hermaphrodite, then GID is going to be the time when that individual is not yet the sex they wish to be. Many individuals deal with distress while they struggle with a life changing decision. There is GID. It is NOT when a man who feels like a woman under goes a sex change. That is the solution.

My point is, GID is real, but it is not what most people think. It refers to those individuals who experience distress before a sex change (theoretically after too but that’s slightly different) if a man chooses to become woman, never feels anxious or distressed about it then there is not GID, just an individual who is making a choice.
Mental disorder posters » Paula Montes Sketchbook said at 5:28 pm on August 9th, 2011:
[...] just find these stunning minimalist posters about mental disorders, designed by the British designer Patrick [...]
Name (required) said at 8:55 pm on August 11th, 2011:
I love the OCD poster. Both my brother and my grandmother are obsessive compulsive, and I think these posters are a great and simple way to draw attention to these issues.
teenelizabeth said at 6:00 am on August 12th, 2011:
I would be interested to see how you would depict schizoid personality disorder. Your work is extremely interesting!
KJ said at 2:26 pm on August 12th, 2011:
I’ve recently been diagnosed with narcolepsy, and that poster makes a whole lot of sad sense in more than just the way you’re thinking.
none said at 2:23 am on August 16th, 2011:
bipolar disorder?
Ashley said at 8:32 pm on August 16th, 2011:
I love these so much! It’s hard to do artwork on mental illness without receiving backlash like “You couldn’t possibly know what it’s like unless you have ‘X disorder’.” But I think you captured these brilliantly.
There is a big push right now going on with Health and Human Services departments across the US to try & reduce the stigma of having a mental illness. Their community health promotion departments might be interested in your work. As would many college campuses, I suspect.
Brittany said at 5:04 am on August 17th, 2011:
These are awesome. (I’m a psychology major and design enthusiast–these are a perfect combination of the two!)
Lindsey said at 2:34 pm on August 18th, 2011:
I thought these were a nice representative of what mental disorders are like, on the outside. The OCD one made me laugh because I know how true that can be first-hand.
Erin said at 7:00 am on August 19th, 2011:
I have Borderline. I would love to see what you make of it. Also Dependant and Avoidant disorders.
elise of argyle whale said at 1:47 pm on September 16th, 2011:
These are outstanding! I came here after seeing your comment on design sponge.

Maybe it has be mentioned in the multitude of above comments but I would love to see one about ADD/ADHD.
Justin said at 5:00 am on September 20th, 2011:
should definitely do schizophrenia and bi-polar. these are conceptually astounding. they drastically bring out the core emotions associated with the disorder, great work.
John said at 4:28 am on September 22nd, 2011:
I really feel that there was nothing wrong with your Gender Identity Poster and that those who have criticized GID are confused. They seem to be under the impression that the disorder’s definition implies that homosexuality is a disorder.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002495/
It is specifically pointed out that homosexuality is not a symptom. The big requirement is an extreme discomfort with one’s physical sex. If one is comfortable with their ‘gender identity’ as an email you quoted put it, such as homosexuality, then they don’t have GID. The disorder is in the inability to accept one’s sex. I am explaining this as a sufferer of GID.

Having a symptom never necessarily means that one has the disorder or even a physical ailment that said symptom is for. The definition doesn’t mean that everyone who crossdresses has a disorder. Plenty of people do it for the thrill and not because of any discomfort with their sex.

I do understand that there is a time when any developing person may not yet accept their physical identity. There is a minimum of two years before you can be diagnosed with the disorder. There are so many disorders out there that cross symptoms with other disorders and people don’t realize how much more there is to a disorder than just a list of symptoms.

Please reconsider your poster. I was very pleased to have initially seen it on another website in its unedited form. It has personal meaning to me and I went to your website with the intention of asking if you’d sell me a print.
Adapt » Blog Archive » Mental health poster series for download said at 12:37 pm on September 22nd, 2011:
[...] August 2010 I designed a series of posters on the subject of mental health. These caused a lot of discussion and controversy, here and [...]
halfwaybetweenthegutter said at 12:37 am on October 12th, 2011:
I really like these; and as mentioned above, I’d love to see a borderline poster.
sara stoneham said at 11:43 am on November 10th, 2011:
I think these are brilliant and I think you should definitely approach Mind.

Maybe there might be a way where we could also all share our own visualisations of our mental state. There is a rich history of mental patients visualising their condition in artwork and over 1 in 4 ( I think) people suffer some kind of mental disorder in their life.
Metal Disorder Posters by Graphic Patrick. | i love myles [beta] said at 8:50 pm on November 25th, 2011:
[...] Disorder Posters by Graphic Patrick. Share [...]
meinbert said at 4:28 pm on December 21st, 2011:
hi
great posters
however
(i havent read all the respons, so i dont know if one has said this before)
i think the white cube in the depression poster should be black: there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
thanks
I’m a little crazy… « papier mache world said at 5:00 am on January 2nd, 2012:
[...] these mental disorder posters by designer Patrick Smith. Proof positive that all it takes is a simple idea to create something fabulous, that opens your [...]