Book excerpt: A practical guide to understanding and coping with anxiety, depression, addiction and suicide. 'This is a superb book; it looks at mental-health problems in a fresh and accessible way' Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent, The Irish Times 'This outstanding book will be of tremendous help to those who are trying to understand the complexities of mental illness' Professor Patricia Casey Flagging The Problem: A New Approach to Mental Health investigates how the mood system in the brain and the body works, and how problems in this system contribute to anxiety, depression, addiction and suicide. Bestselling author and GP Dr Harry Barry reveals a pioneering system using a coloured flag which represents a particular mental state or area of concern: - Green Flag explains the normal mood system -The Red Flag deals with depression - The Yellow Flag addresses anxiety - The Purple Flag deals with addiction - The White Flag addresses the issue of suicide. Using this system to help readers visualise the illness and its symptoms, Dr Barry aims to provide hope to those suffering from depression, addiction, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and with it the possibility of a new life where the pain can be alleviated. Previously published as Flagging the Problem: A New Approach to Mental Health, this edition has been fully revised and updated.