What is Mental Illness?

Mental Illness Is … Mental illness is a biological brain disorder that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning.

Treatable Mental Illness Is …

Facts… 1 in 4 US Adults are affected 20% of all students have mental illness 50% - symptoms by age 14 By 2020, Major Depressive illness will be the leading cause of disability in the world for women and children.

Types of Mental Illness ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity) Depression Bipolar (Manic Depressive) Anxiety Panic Disorder OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Schizophrenia ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity) Depression Bipolar (Manic Depressive) Anxiety Panic Disorder OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Schizophrenia

ADD (attention deficit disorder) Trouble focusing Forgetful Disorganized Don’t follow direction Often don’t finish school work Trouble focusing Forgetful Disorganized Don’t follow direction Often don’t finish school work

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) Same symptoms as ADD Seem driven or“on the go” Impulsive Disruptive in class Talk excessivley Same symptoms as ADD Seem driven or“on the go” Impulsive Disruptive in class Talk excessivley

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

Depression: (kids) Not Sadness like Adults, but irritability and agressiveness Mad, Combative Extra sensitive Physical Complaints Won’t do Homework, hate school Trouble Sleeping -Tired, Sleepy, Bored Not Sadness like Adults, but irritability and agressiveness Mad, Combative Extra sensitive Physical Complaints Won’t do Homework, hate school Trouble Sleeping -Tired, Sleepy, Bored

Depression: (teens) Feel Hopeless, empty, worthless Uninterested in things once enjoyed Isolate Self Injure Abuse alcohol or drugs Develop an Eating Disorder Think about Suicide Feel Hopeless, empty, worthless Uninterested in things once enjoyed Isolate Self Injure Abuse alcohol or drugs Develop an Eating Disorder Think about Suicide

Depression

Bipolar Disorder HIGHS: Need Little or No Sleep Hyperactive Rage HyperSensitive Talk too fast & too much HIGHS: Need Little or No Sleep Hyperactive Rage HyperSensitive Talk too fast & too much Mood Swings – High (manic) to Low (depression)

Bipolar Disorder LOWS: Similar or Same as Depression LOWS: Similar or Same as Depression Mood Swings – High (manic) to Low (depression)

Bipolar Disorder (teens) Out of Control Go on spending sprees Engage in Sexual promiscuity Unrealistic expectations Overachieve Aggressive Out of Control Go on spending sprees Engage in Sexual promiscuity Unrealistic expectations Overachieve Aggressive

Bipolar

Anxiety Excessive worry, uptightness Separation issues, will not sleep alone Fears Avoidance of fearful situations Dread of being embarrassed Excessive worry, uptightness Separation issues, will not sleep alone Fears Avoidance of fearful situations Dread of being embarrassed The Most Common mental illness in children and adolescents.

Panic Disorder Pounding heart, feeling of dying or losing control, sweating, dizziness, trembling, nausea or feeling of choking

Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder Repetitive Actions – counting, touching, checking Obsessive Thoughts Fear of Contamination/Germs Too much Grooming Fixation on numbers Repetitive Actions – counting, touching, checking Obsessive Thoughts Fear of Contamination/Germs Too much Grooming Fixation on numbers

Schizophrenia HALLUCINATIONS – See, Hear, Feel things that aren’t there DELUSIONS – False Beliefs, Paranoia HALLUCINATIONS – See, Hear, Feel things that aren’t there DELUSIONS – False Beliefs, Paranoia Under age 15 only 1 of 40,000 kids, 18 years and up increases to 1 of 100.

Schizophrenia

RECOVERY

Recovery There is no cure for mental illness, BUT there is very effective treatment. No blood test or X-Ray Many kinds of therapies and medications Can live a happy, healthy, productive Life Develop Coping Skills No blood test or X-Ray Many kinds of therapies and medications Can live a happy, healthy, productive Life Develop Coping Skills

Coping Strategies Eat Right Get the right amount of Sleep Get regular Exercise Enjoy a hobby- music, sports, scrapbooking Journal or keep a Diary Have a Pet Watch movies or sports Enjoy nature – go for walks Check in with healthcare people regularly Eat Right Get the right amount of Sleep Get regular Exercise Enjoy a hobby- music, sports, scrapbooking Journal or keep a Diary Have a Pet Watch movies or sports Enjoy nature – go for walks Check in with healthcare people regularly

HELP TALK: To a parent or family member To a friend A social worker or psychologist at school Neighbor or pastor Write a note Go to ReachOut.com Call NAMI TALK: To a parent or family member To a friend A social worker or psychologist at school Neighbor or pastor Write a note Go to ReachOut.com Call NAMI

HELP How YOU can help a Friend: Encourage them: –To take their medications –Keep their Doctor’s appointments –Not to engage in risky behavior Invite them out for relaxing activities Don’t let others say mean things to them or about them Help them study Recognize the signs of the disorder How YOU can help a Friend: Encourage them: –To take their medications –Keep their Doctor’s appointments –Not to engage in risky behavior Invite them out for relaxing activities Don’t let others say mean things to them or about them Help them study Recognize the signs of the disorder

Hope

Acknowlegements: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Parents & Teachers as Allies, Joyce Burland, Ph.D National Institute on Mental Health, 2005 Surgeon General, 2001 Mental Health; A report of the Surgeon General, 1999 National Alliance on Mental Illness