1. 3
Caring for Your Mind

2. In This Chapter, You Will Learn To:
LIST
Key structures of the brain
Depression symptoms and treatment
Suicide symptoms and prevention
DESCRIBE
Neurons and their role in the brain
Difference between mental health and mental illness
Options for yourself in case of mental illness

3. The Brain: The Last Frontier
Figure 3.1. The Brain

4. Communication within the Brain
What are the parts of a neuron?
Cell Body
Contains nucleus
Axon
Long fiber that carries electrical signal
Axon Terminal
Where the axon ends and its signal is transferred to the dendrite of a different neuron
Dendrite
Shorter fiber that receives signal from the axon terminal

5. Communication within the Brain (cont’d.)
WHERE
At Synapses:
Area between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron
HOW
Through Neurotransmitters:
Packets of chemicals released from the axon terminal of the neuron sending the signal

6. Brain Messaging: Anatomy of a Neuron
Figure 3.2. Brain Messaging: Anatomy of a Neuron

7. Understanding Mental Health
Figure 3.3. The Mentally Healthy Individual

8. What is a Mental Disorder?
‘Clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that is associated with present distress, disability or significantly increased risk of suffering death pain, disability or an important loss of freedom’
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
‘…mental, behavioral or emotional disorders that interfere with one or more major activities in life like dressing eating or working.’
U.S. Government

9. The Mind-Body Connection
A positive mental attitude decreases the risk of disease
Mental Illness increases risk for many diseases
Complex relationships between mental and physical health have been found
Heart Disease and Depression
Diabetes and Depression
Bone Density and Depression

10. diagnosable mental disorder
Mental Health in America
Almost half of all Americans will experience a
diagnosable mental disorder
in their lifetime

11. Mental Health in America (cont’d.)
Mental Disorder
High Risk Group
Depression
Women & Girls
Anxiety
Migraines
Alzheimer’s
Substance Abuse
Men
Alcohol Abuse

12. Mental Health on Campus
In a nationwide study of college students:
15.4% reported having been diagnosed with depression
28.4% reported feeling depressed (regardless of diagnosis)
But only 8.3% were receiving treatment

13. Mental Health on Campus (cont’d.)

14. Depressive Disorders Fewer or Extreme Feelings Alterations In Thinking
Depressed
Helpless or hopeless
Restless or slow
No interest in pleasurable activities
Physical symptoms
Alterations In Thinking
Difficulty concentrating or thinking critically
Persistent thoughts of death
New Actions
Withdrawal from others
Eating more or less

15. Depressive Disorders (cont’d.)
STRESS
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SLEEP LOSS

16. Depressive Disorders (cont’d.)
Which Groups Are More Likely To Experience Major Depression
Women
Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Those Without a High School Education
Divorced or Never Married
Jobless
Those Without Health Insurance

17. Depressive Disorders (cont’d.)
Depression Symptoms in Men
Irritability
Tremendous fatigue
Headaches and pain
Insomnia
Self-medication with alcohol or drugs
Men may not become ‘sad’ and are more likely than women to take their own life

18. Treating Depression Psychotherapy Antidepressant Medication
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Interpersonal Therapy
Antidepressant Medication
Electroconvulsive or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy
Exercise
Behavior Change

19. Bipolar Disorder Defined Who is affected Symptoms Treatment
Manic states of feeling euphoric and energetic to depressive states of utter despair
Who is affected
50% have family member with bipolar
More women than men affected
Symptoms
Mood swings
Changes in thinking and behavior
Changes in physical condition
Treatment
Medication
Professional therapy is essential

20. Anxiety Disorders Specific Phobia Treatment
Out-of-the-ordinary, irrational, intense, persistent fears of certain objects or situations
Treatment
Behavioral therapy for systematic exposure to feared object
Medical hypnosis

21. Anxiety Disorders (cont’d.)
Panic Attack
Rapid heart rate, light-headed, hyperventilation, numb fingers or toes
Terrible sense that something horrible is about to happen
Panic Disorder
When panic attacks recur OR
Apprehension of panic attack impairs normal function
Treatment
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Medication

22. Anxiety Disorders (cont’d.)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Constant fear or apprehension
Irrational or unwarranted reaction to everyday objects
Treatment
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Medication

23. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsession
Recurring idea, thought or image
Compulsion
Repetitive behavior performed according to certain rules
Other Features
Cannot resist or control thoughts or behavior
Behaviors consume time and impact normal function
Treatment
Cognitive Therapy
Behavioral Techniques
Medication

24. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Features
Inattention (wandering off task, difficulty sustaining focus, being disorganized, lacking persistence)
Hyperactivity (excessive movements)
Impulsivity (behaviors done without forethought)
Treatment
Drugs
Dietary interventions
No evidence of success with psychological treatments

25. Autism Spectrum Disorders
Features
Repetitive patterns of thoughts and behavior
No verbal communication before age 3
Four times more likely to occur in boys than girls
Treatment
Behavior therapy
Speech-language therapy
Physical therapy
School-based educational programs

26. Schizophrenia Features Treatment Causes
Affects every aspect of psychological functioning
Hallucinations and delusions
Inability to think in logical manner
Showing few, if any emotions
Treatment
Antipsychotic medication
Causes
Failure in brain development very early in life
Heredity

27. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
Features
Deliberately hurting oneself without intention of suicide
Can take the form of cutting, burning, stabbing, hitting
Treatment
Hospitalization

28. Suicide Two-thirds of college students
who killed themselves experienced
depressive symptoms
at the time of their death

29. Suicide (cont’d.)
Table 3.1. Suicide Risk

30. Factors that Lead to Suicide
Suicide (cont’d.)
Factors that Lead to Suicide
Impulsivity
High level of arousal and aggression
Past suicidal behaviors
Hopelessness

31. Overcoming Problems of the Mind
Self-Help Strategies
Eating right
Exercise
Peer support

32. Overcoming Problems of the Mind (cont’d.)1.
Talk to a mental health professional 2.
Talk to someone you trust 3.
Write down positive thoughts 4.
Avoid drugs and alcohol 5.
Go to the hospital

33. Overcoming Problems of the Mind (cont’d.)
Therapy
Many types of therapists
Many types of therapy
Medication
Work closely with health professional to choose medication
Alternative Activities
Can combine therapy and medication with other treatments to enhance results (yoga, meditation)

34. Chapter Summary List Explain Describe Discuss
Key structures of the brain and the communication functions of neurons
Explain
Differences in mental illness and mental health
Describe
Major mental illnesses, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and others
Discuss
Factors leading to suicide and suicide prevention strategies