Finding specific aspects of the disorder

To find relevant journal articles, you may want to narrow your search. For specific treatments, causes, or behaviors related to a disorder, try looking at the NIMH website. If you are still having difficulty identifying specific aspects of the disorder, then put the disorder name and a relevant keyword into a Google search. Example searches:

"anorexia nervosa" and treatment

depression and causes

"borderline personality disorder" and behavior

Once you have specific search terms (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressants, etc.), then go to a database and search these terms along with the disorder. For example:

"anorexia nervosa" and "nutritional counseling"

depression and genetics

"borderline personality disorder" and “distorted self-image"

Quotation Marks

Use quotations to find an exact phrase. For example:

"personality disorder"

"attachment disorder"

"post-traumatic stress disorder"

"social anxiety phobia"

"anorexia nervosa"

Advanced Search and Sorting Results

Most databases provide links or a drop-down menu to sort by relevance or date.

Most databases have a link called Advanced or Advanced Search. Using Advanced Search, you may be able to:

• limit the date range
• limit the document type
• refine your keyword search
• limit to peer-reviewed only