Chap. 9 Mental and Emotional Problems

What are Mental Disorders People who suffer from some form of mental disorder are often identified by their in ability to cope in healthy ways with life’s changes and demands About 54 million people in the United States are affected by some form of mental disorder Some people are reluctant to seek treatment for mental/emotional problems because they feel embarrassed or ashamed Many mental disturbances involve imbalances in brain chemistry

Types of Mental Disorders Mental disorders are classified as either organic or functional A Functional Disorder has psychological cause and does not involve brain damage, may result from heredity, stress emotional conflict, or fear Organic Disorders are caused by a physical illness or an injury that affects the brain, which involves tumors, infections, chemical imbalances, exposure to drugs or anything else that can result in brain damage

Anxiety Disorders 4 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders These people arrange their lives to avoid situations that make them feel anxious or fearful, there are 4 classifications: Phobias- is a strong and irrational fear of something specific such as high places, dogs, snakes or spiders. People with phobias may be unable to live a normal life, like people with agoraphobia (fear of public places)

Anxiety Disorders cont. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- a person that is trapped in a pattern of repeated thought or behaviors, a person with OCD might for example feel the urge to was his or her hands constantly throughout the day Panic Disorder-involves unexplained feelings of terror. It’s a condition in which fear and anxiety get in the way of a person’s ability to function and enjoy life. Can happen any place at any time Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- a condition that may develop after exposure to a terrifying event that threatened or caused physical harm, common in people who were assaulted such as rape, symptoms may include flash back like in military combat

Mood Disorders Clinical Depression- Involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair that last for more than a few weeks and interfere with daily interests, ability to sleep, concentrate, or engage in activities Bipolar Disorder- Marked by extreme mood changes, energy levels, and behavior. Characteristics involve manic highs and depressive lows.

Eating Disorders Brought on by psychological pressures, possible genetic factors, or an obsession with body image People with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia suffer from life threatening disturbances in eating behavior Complications from eating disorders involve kidney failure and heart problems

Conduct Disorders Acting out impulses toward others in destructive ways Lying, theft, aggression, violence, vandalism, and arson are examples of conduct disorders People with this disorder usually have low self-esteem

Schizophrenia Is a severe mental disorder in which a person loses contact with reality Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders People have difficulty understanding the difference between real and imaginary events Often leads to unpredictable behavior, must be treated through professional help and medication

Personality Disorders The terms personality refers to an individual’s unique traits and behavior patterns People with personality disorders think and behave in way that make it difficult for them to get along with others Antisocial Personality Disorders-Tend to be irritable, aggressive, impulsive, or violent

Personality Disorders cont. Borderline Personality Disorder- Experience troubled relationships, engage in risky activities, fear abandonment, last out violently Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder- Tend to be uncooperative, resent being told what to do, angry over issues of control

Suicide Risk Factors Most suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and actions are expressions of extreme distress, not bids for attention More than 90 percent of the people who kill themselves are suffering from depression or another mental disorder, sexual abuse, abusing drugs, or alcohol

Multiple Suicides Occurs as a result of pacts or agreements between two or more people to take part in suicide Others result when individuals commit suicide in response to the suicide of a friend or family member

Warning Signs of Teen Suicide Verbal Signs: I want to Die Nothing matters They’ll be sorry when I’m gone Soon this pain will be over Writing poems, song lyrics, or diary entries that with death Nonverbal or Behavioral Signs: Unusual obsession with death Withdrawal from friends Substance abuse Giving away personal belongings Dramatic changes in personality

Strategies to Prevent Suicide Despite the fact that depression is the leading cause of suicide, it is very treatable. Knowing methods for effectively expressing feelings and opinions ca help people suffering from depression as well as seeking help professionally.

Knowing When to Get Help You feel trapped with no way out Your feelings affect your sleep, eating habits, school performance You’re becoming increasingly aggressive, violent, or reckless

Stumbling Blocks to Seeking Help Asking for help from a mental health professional does not mean that a person is weak People who have mental disorders often cannot get better on their own Sharing your deepest thoughts with a stranger is not painful or embarrassing, in fact most people find out unloading problems is a great relief

Therapy Methods Psychotherapy- on going dialogue between a patient and mental health professional Behavior Therapy- focuses on changing unwanted behaviors through rewards and reinforcements Cognitive Therapy- identify and correct distorted thinking patterns Group Therapy- treating a group of people who have similar problems Biomedical Therapy- use of medication to treat symptoms of a mental disorder

The Grieving Process Denial- cant believe the loss has occurred Emotional Releases- involve periods of crying Anger- feeling powerless and unfairly deprived, may lash out Bargaining- reality of loss becomes clear Depression- beyond the natural feelings of sadness, feeling isolated Remorse- thoughts about what he or she could have don’t o prevent the loss Acceptance- involves a sense of power, allowing the person to face reality Hope- beginning to look ahead to the future

Coping with Death Allow time to reflect on who you were before the loss Focus on what you were able to do in the relationship, not what you could or should have done Remember the wonderful things about that person Seek support from others