Mental Disorders & Suicide

A mental disorder is an illness that affects the mind and reduces a person’s ability to function, to adjust to change, or to get along with others Mental Disorder

Mental health experts see abnormal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors as signs, or symptoms, of a mental health disorder Physical factors, heredity, early childhood experiences, and recent experiences can cause mental disorders Mental Disorders

Anxiety is fear caused by a source you cannot identify or a source that doesn’t pose as much threat as you think Generalized Anxiety Disorder Phobias Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder A person with this disorder displays intense worry, fears, or anxiety most days for at least 6 months Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety that is related to a specific situation or object Phobias

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsession = unwanted thought or image that takes control of the mind; obsessions can lead to compulsions Compulsion = an unreasonable need to behave in a certain way to prevent a feared outcome Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress People who survive a life-threatening event may develop post-traumatic stress disorder They may have flashbacks or nightmares that produce intense fear or horror Post-Traumatic Stress

People who have a mood disorder experience extreme emotions that make it difficult to function well in their daily lives Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia Mood Disorders

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic- depressive disorder People experience one normal extreme to the other for no reason Extremely sad & hopeless followed by feelings of restlessness & over-excitement Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia One of the most serious mental disorders Severe disturbances in thinking, mood, awareness & behavior ‘Split Mind’ May believe someone or something controls their thoughts or wants to harm them Schizophrenia

Impulse-Control Disorders Cannot resist the impulse, or drive, to act in a way that is harmful to themselves or others Kleptomania- impulse to take/steal items you don’t need or want Gambling addiction- impulse to gamble even if you have no money Impulse-Control Disorders

A mental disorder that reveals itself through abnormal behaviors related to food Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Binge Eating Disorder Eating Disorders

Individual doesn’t eat enough food to maintain a healthy body weight Main symptom is extreme weight loss Other symptom: slowed heart & breathing rates, dry skin, lowered body temperature Even though they are very thin, anorexics still see themselves as fat Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia continued… Anorexics can starve to death! Causes: In some cases a lack of essential minerals causes the heart to stop suddenly Causes: Lack of chemicals in brain that regulate mood Low self-esteem Strong desire to please others History of troubled relationships Anorexia continued…

Individuals go on uncontrolled eating binges followed by purging, or removing, the food from their bodies People are aware of what they’re doing- they just can’t stop! Bulimia

Most people with bulimia maintain a weight within their normal range, however the cycle of binging & purging has a negative effect on their health Can suffer from dehydration, kidney damage, & lack of necessary vitamins & minerals Stomach acid & vomit irritates the throat & erodes the enamel from teeth Bulimia

Individual regularly has an uncontrollable urge to eat large amounts of food & do not purge after Ends in excess weight gain & unhealthy dieting Use eating to deal with emotions, like anger or stress Binge Eating Disorder

In what sports do you think eating disorders are the most prevalent In what sports do you think eating disorders are the most prevalent? Find an internet article to support your thoughts & write a summary of the article. 10 sentence minimum, include your opinions & thoughts ASSIGNMENT!!!!!

Clinical depression- Feeling sad & hopeless for months; unable to do activities one once enjoyed Depression can cause problems at school, home & in one’s social life. If untreated, depression can lead to substance abuse, serious behavior problems, and even suicide Clinical Depression

About 1 out of every 12 teens will experience clinical depression before they are 18. After 15, females are twice as likely as males to suffer from depression Medication is an effective treatment for depression Teen Depression

Depression Risk factors for depression: Parent or close biological relative with mood disorder Major life change or prolonged stressful situation Being the victim of a violent crime or witnessing violence A previous bout of depression A sense of hoplessness Depression

Depression Signs of depression: Change in appetite Change in sleep patterns Change in activity level Hopelessness Difficulty thinking/concentrating Repeated thoughts of death/suicide Loss of interest in usual activities Loss of energy Excessive guilt Depression

Self-injury is an unhealthy way to cope with emotions, stress, or traumatic events People who self-injure are not usually trying to kill themselves, they are trying to feel better Self-injury can be a symptom of a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder Self-Injury

Suicide Suicide is the intentional killing of oneself In the United States, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among young people between the ages of 15-24 Mood disorders, like depression, are a major risk factor for suicide Suicide

An important thing to remember is that suicidal behavior is a cry for help in dealing with problems that seem overwhelming, so it’s important to show care & concern If you feel depressed, it’s vital that you talk about your feelings with a trusted adult or mental health professional Suicide