This 1974 article reviews the literature on patterns of emotional illness among American Indians, cautioning that cultural differences & stereotypy may cloud judgments about behavioral adjustment. Epidemiological findings are reported: (a) alcohol abuse is a wide spread problem; (b) suicide & homicide appear to be tribe- & culture-specific; (c) depression is more prominent in Navahos & custom-related; (d) manic depressive illnesses are absent; (e) drug abuse is not a problem. (NBB)