Mental Illness

What are your expectations as a teen? How do these expectations make you feel?

It may not be easy, but worrying about these pressures and expectations are NORMAL. Feeling extremely sad, hopeless, or worthless is not normal. It may be a sign of a mental health problem.

What does it mean when someone has a mental illness?

It means that the brain, or a part of the brain, is not working correctly.

General Symptoms of Mental Illness may include ●The inability to deal with stressful situations ●Problems focusing ●Extreme mood changes ●Sleep problems When these symptoms start to disrupt a person’s daily life, a person may be diagnosed with a mental disorder.

A mental illness is a condition that impacts a person's thinking, feeling or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis. Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis.

What causes a mental illness?

The exact cause is unknown, but it is becoming clear that these conditions are caused by: ●Genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Facts About Mental Illness Mental health problems affect 1 in 5 young people. Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Most people with mental disorders live productive & positive lives while managing their mental disorder. An estimated 50% of young people with mental illness are not getting help.

Myths about Mental Illness ●These conditions are not true illnesses. ●People can just “get over it.” ●People who suffer from them are… o crazy o dumb o violent

Can Mental Illness be treated?

Yes!! If you have experienced... ●Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in others. ●An unusual drop in functioning, especially at school or work, such as quitting sports, failing in school, or difficulty performing familiar tasks. ●A loss of desire to participate in any activity. ●Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or deterioration in personal hygiene. ●Rapid or dramatic shifts in feelings or “mood swings.” If you said “yes” to any of these, please consider talking to a parent, teacher, counselor, or a doctor.

Depression

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life

Depression Major depression,—severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes. Persistent depressive disorder—depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for 2 years. Also, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and postpartum depression

In addition, trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or any stressful situation may trigger a depressive episode. Other depressive episodes may occur with or without an obvious trigger.

Signs and symptoms include: ●Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings ●Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism ●Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness ●Irritability, restlessness ●Loss of interest in activities or hobbies ●Fatigue and decreased energy ●Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions ●Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping ●Overeating, or appetite loss ●Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts ●Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

Bipolar Disorder

Also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.

Bipolar disorder can worsen if left undiagnosed and untreated. Delays in getting the correct diagnosis and treatment can contribute to personal, social, and work-related problems. **Proper diagnosis and treatment help people with bipolar disorder lead healthy and productive lives. In most cases, treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.**

Social Anxiety Disorders Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Panic Disorder Phobias

Eating Disorders

Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life- threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

Mental Illness Stigma How do people sometimes view mental illness?

2 Minute Paper What can you do to decrease the stigma of mental illness? What can you do to increase positive awareness of mental illness?

How can the stigma of mental illness be potentially harming to health at any age?

on-mental-health-reform

Preventative/ Helping Strategies

If you need help...