MENTAL HEALTH December 2017

American Psychological Association Anxiety An emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increase blood pressure Individuals with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/index.aspx

Anxiety Anxiety can be a completely normal response to stress Anxiety disorders are manageable with treatment, such as counseling and/or medication Therapy for anxiety disorders works by helping people identify and change the irrational beliefs or fears behind their anxiety

Treatment for Anxiety A healthy lifestyle also plays an important role in managing anxiety Adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercises can all help minimize symptoms Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety

Emotional Intelligence The ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others New research shows that happy people are more likely to work towards goals, find the resources the need to attract others with their energy and optimism American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/index.aspx

Substance Abuse Even the “experimental” use of alcohol and drugs can negatively effect a person’s life Blackouts, overdoses, and accidents can happen when it seems like things are under control

Substance Abuse Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases Alcohol and/or drug use doesn’t have to affect your ability to function academically to be a problem Substance abuse can be treated

Stress Can be a reaction to a short-lived situation, such as being stuck in traffic. Or it can last a long time if you’re dealing with relationship problems, death of a loved on, or other serious situations. Stress becomes dangerous when it interferes with your ability to live a normal life over an extended period. You may feel tired, unable to concentrate, or irritable. ULifeline http://www.ulifeline.org/topics/128-depression

Stress is always bad for you Stress is the same for everybody Myths about Stress Stress is always bad for you Stress is the same for everybody Stress is different for each of us. What is stressful for one person may or may not be stressful for another. Each of us responds to stress in a unique way Essential to figure out how to manage stress Managed stress makes us productive and happy; mismanaged stress hurts and even kills us

Myths about Stress Stress is everywhere, so you can’t do anything about it The most popular techniques for reducing stress are the best ones Effective planning involves setting priorities and working on simple problems first When stress is mismanaged, it’s difficult to prioritize No universally effective stress reduction techniques exist. Only a comprehensive program tailored to the individual works

Only major symptoms of stress require attention Myths about Stress NO Symptoms NO Stress Only major symptoms of stress require attention Absence of symptoms does not mean the absence of stress. Camouflaging symptoms with medication may deprive you of the signals you need for reducing the strain on your physiological and psychological symptoms Minor symptoms of stress (ie. headache) are the early warnings that your life is getting out of hand and that you need to do a better job of managing your stress

Depression A medical condition that can affect a person’s ability to work, study interact with people, or take care of themselves Can be caused by imbalances in brain chemistry Can also be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, physical illness, personal loss, and school or relationship difficulties ULifeline http://www.ulifeline.org/topics/128-depression

Depression Depression is highly treatable 80-90% of people who are treated for depression experience significant improvement, and almost all individuals gain some relief from their symptoms