Mental Disorders CHAPTER 4

NC Healthful Living Standards 9. MEH.2 Create help seeking strategies for depression and mental disorders 9.2.1 Identify causes and symptoms of depression and mental disorders 9.2.2 Design useful help-seeking strategies for depression and mental disorders

Mental Disorders Mental disorder –an illness of the mind that can affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person, preventing them from leading a happy, healthful, and productive life Require medical diagnosis and treatment 1 in 4 Americans affected Can be identified by their symptoms Stigma –a mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual being shunned or rejected

Anxiety Anxiety – the condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen Occasional anxiety is normal Use stress management techniques to help cope

Anxiety Disorders Anxiety disorders – conditions in which real or imagined fears are difficult to control Disorder Symptoms Phobia A strong, irrational fear of something specific, such as heights or social situations. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Persistent thoughts, fears, or urges (obsessions) leading to uncontrollable repetitive behaviors (compulsions). For example, the fear of germs leads to constant hand washing. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder A condition that may develop after exposure to a terrifying event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, guilt, sleeplessness, and problems concentrating. Panic Disorder Attacks of sudden, unexplained feelings of terror. “Panic attacks” are accompanied by trembling, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, or dizziness. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Exaggerated worry and tension for no reason. People with GAD startle easily and have difficulty concentrating, relaxing, and sleeping.

Impulse Control Disorders Impulse Control Disorders – class of psychiatric disorders where one cannot resist the urge to hurt themselves or others Impulse Control Disorders Symptoms Kleptomania Unplanned theft Pyromania Setting fire to release tension Cutting Repetitive cutting on body that can be hidden Excessive gambling Continuing to gamble and spend money one doesn't have

Eating disorders Eating Disorders – extreme, harmful eating behaviors that can cause serious illness or death Disorder Symptoms Anorexia Starving self, exercise excessive, weighing self constantly, counting calories Bulimia cycles of overeating and purging, goes to bathroom right after eating, Binge Eating Unable to control eating, hides food

Mood Disorders Mood Disorder – an illness that involves mood extremes that interfere with everyday living Disorder Symptoms Bipolar Extreme mood changes, energy changes and behavior Depression Persistent sad mood; loss of interest in activities; no energy; significant change in appearance, weight, behavior; or sleep habits; apathetic, thoughts of suicide;

Depression Depression – a prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness Serious condition that is treatable Caused by physical, social, or psychological reasons Treatments – medication, talking to counselor, making changes at home/ school

Conduct Disorder Conduct disorder – patterns of behavior in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated Truancy, stealing, arson, vandalism, aggression, lying, cruelty

Personality Disorder Personality Disorders - having a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning and behaving. A person with a personality disorder has trouble perceiving and relating to situations and people. Symptoms vary for each but can include unpredictable behavior, delusions, hallucinations This causes significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities, work and school. Examples – Schizophrenia, Antisocial personality disorder borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder

Help seeking strategies Teens should seek help if: Feeling trapped or worried all the time Feelings affect sleep, eating habits, school work, job performance, or relationships Becoming involved in drugs or alcohol Becoming increasingly aggressive, violent or reckless

Help seeking strategies Acknowledging/ recognizing there is a problem Get help from people in community – parent, guardian, teacher, coach, counselor Seek therapy Keep in mind - Asking for help shows inner strength and responsibility for one’s own wellness.

Types of therapy Drug Therapy - The use of certain medications to treat or reduce the symptoms of a mental disorder Psychotherapy - An ongoing dialogue between a patient and a mental health professional Behavior therapy - A treatment process that focuses on changing unwanted behaviors through rewards and reinforcements Cognitive Therapy - A treatment method designed to identify and correct distorted thinking patterns that can lead to feelings and behaviors that may be troublesome, self-defeating, or self-destructive Group Therapy - Treating a group of people who have similar problems and who meet regularly with a trained counselor. Family therapy - Treatment that focuses on helping the family function in more positive and constructive ways by exploring patterns in communication and providing support and education