Chapter 5 What are Mental Disorders?

Mental Disorders  Illness of the mind that can affect thinking, feeling, behaviors and disrupt normal life  In the past, mental disorders were misunderstood  Mental disorders are imbalances in the chemistry of the brain

Types of Disorders  Organic disorder – caused by physical illness or an injury Examples – syphilis, meningitis, lupus, brain tumors, alcoholism, and stroke  Functional disorder – caused by psychological disorders such as stress, emotional conflict, fear, or poor coping skills

Anxiety Disorders  Illness in which real, imagined, or persistent fears prevent a person from enjoying life  Types of anxiety disorders – phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorders, and post traumatic stress disorders

Phobia  Specific fear that is so strong a person goes to extreme measures to avoid it  Prevents people from carrying out daily activities

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder  Pattern of repeated behaviors or thoughts  Obsessions – persistent, recurring, unwanted thoughts  Compulsions – urgent,repeated, irresistible behaviors

Panic Disorders  Condition in which fear or anxiety prevails and gets in the way of functioning and enjoying life  Symptoms include trembling, racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or feel of losing control and dying

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  Condition caused by witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event that produces long lasting aftereffects  Veterans, rape survivors, survivors of natural disasters

Somatoform Disorders  Condition in which a person complains of disease symptoms, but no physical cause can be found  Hypochondria – fear of presumed diseases that aren’t present

Affective Disorders  Mood disorder that involves mood swings or mood extremes - often inherited  Clinical Depression – hopelessness or despair that lasts for more than a few weeks  Bipolar Disorder – psychological illness characterized by severe mood swings between extreme depression or happiness

Personality Disorders  Variety of psychological conditions that interfere with a person’s ability to get along with others  Antisocial personality disorder – constant conflict with society. This person may display uncaring, cruel, and irresponsible behavior

Personality Disorders  Passive Aggressive Disorder – people that are uncooperative and resent being told what to do, yet they rely on others direction  Schizophrenia – split personality Symptoms- inappropriate behavior, abnormal emotional responses, hallucinations, talk to themselves, hear voices, withdrawal, and lost sense of time

Lesson 2 – Suicide Prevention  Teen Depression – results from new challenges and life changes that can overwhelm a person  Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and sadness

Suicide Risk Factors  Over 50% of suicidal youths are considered depressed  Substance abuse, violence, or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse  Prior suicide attempts, firearms in the house, jail time, exposure to other suicide, family history of emotional disorder

Warning Signs  Verbal Signs – “I wish I were dead”, “I want have to put up with this much longer”, “I want be a problem for you much longer”  Nonverbal Signs – depression, lack of zest for life, withdrawal, poor grades, giving away possessions, increased risk taking, change in appearance, sudden upbeat mood, drug and alcohol abuse

Preventing Suicide  Take any potential suicide talk seriously  Stress the temporary nature of the problem  Make it clear that you want the persons pain to end, but not with suicide  Ask the person if they have specific plans  Suggest talking to a trusting adult or counselor  Do not agree to keep it a secret

Kinds of Help  Psychiatrist – doctor who specializes in mental disorders and can prescribe medication Psychotherapy – ongoing dialogue between doctor and patient in order to solve a problem Psychoanalysis – analysis of the patients past in order to get to the root of a problem Medical psychotherapy – use of medication to treat mental disorders

Kinds of Help  Neurologist – physician who specializes in organic disorders of the brain The neurologist becomes involved in organic disorders to determine if surgery is required

Kinds of Help  Clinical Psychologist – diagnoses and treats emotional and behavior disorders but cannot prescribe medication  Counselors -