Chapter 10 Lesson 3 – Getting Help

Signs of Mental Health Problems Prolonged sadness for no specific reason Hopelessness Violent or erratic mood shifts Inability to concentrate or to make decisions about daily life Overwhelming fear, anxiety, or anger at the world Severe sleep disturbances, nightmares, insomnia, fitful sleep Compulsive behavior, excessive handwashing

Signs of Mental Health Problems Self destructive behavior, overeating, starving, drinking, drugs Frequent physical ailment for which no medical cause can be found

Kind of Professional Help Mental health care workers Psychiatrist Neurologists, clinical, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and counselors

Psychiatrist Medical Doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental disorders and can prescribe medications

Psychiatrist May use these therapies Psychotherapy – ongoing dialogue between the patient and psychiatrist designed to get to the root of the problem Psychoanalysis – an analysis of a patients past, particularly his or her early life, to determine the early roots of a mental problem Medical psychotherapy – the use of medications to treat or reduce a mental disorder or to use in conjunction with or as preparation for the above two treatments

Neurologist If a psychiatrist thinks a patient may have some organic problem of the brain, the patient may be refereed to a neurologist Neurologist – Physician who specializes in organic disorder of the brain and nervous system

Neuro-surgeon – specialize in surgery

Clinical Psychologist Psychologist who diagnoses and treats emotional and behavioral disorders but cannot prescribe medications State law determines what kinds of training is required to earn the title psychologist

Counselors Professionals that have masters degree’s and work with young people helping them in personal or educational matters

Psychiatric Social Worker One who has concentrated on psychiatric casework, doing fieldwork in a mental hospital, clinic, or family service agency that provided guidance and treatment for clients with emotional problems Usually have to have Master’s degree