1. Chap. 9 Mental and Emotional Problems

2. What are Mental Disorders
People who suffer from some form of mental disorder are often identified by their in ability to cope in healthy ways with life’s changes and demands
About 54 million people in the United States are affected by some form of mental disorder
Some people are reluctant to seek treatment for mental/emotional problems because they feel embarrassed or ashamed
Many mental disturbances involve imbalances in brain chemistry

3. Types of Mental Disorders
Mental disorders are classified as either organic or functional
A Functional Disorder has psychological cause and does not involve brain damage, may result from heredity, stress emotional conflict, or fear
Organic Disorders are caused by a physical illness or an injury that affects the brain, which involves tumors, infections, chemical imbalances, exposure to drugs or anything else that can result in brain damage

4. Anxiety Disorders 4 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders
These people arrange their lives to avoid situations that make them feel anxious or fearful, there are 4 classifications:
Phobias- is a strong and irrational fear of something specific such as high places, dogs, snakes or spiders. People with phobias may be unable to live a normal life, like people with agoraphobia (fear of public places)

5. Anxiety Disorders cont.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder- a person that is trapped in a pattern of repeated thought or behaviors, a person with OCD might for example feel the urge to was his or her hands constantly throughout the day
Panic Disorder-involves unexplained feelings of terror. It’s a condition in which fear and anxiety get in the way of a person’s ability to function and enjoy life. Can happen any place at any time
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- a condition that may develop after exposure to a terrifying event that threatened or caused physical harm, common in people who were assaulted such as rape, symptoms may include flash back like in military combat

6. Mood Disorders
Clinical Depression- Involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair that last for more than a few weeks and interfere with daily interests, ability to sleep, concentrate, or engage in activities
Bipolar Disorder- Marked by extreme mood changes, energy levels, and behavior. Characteristics involve manic highs and depressive lows.

7. Eating Disorders
Brought on by psychological pressures, possible genetic factors, or an obsession with body image
People with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia suffer from life threatening disturbances in eating behavior
Complications from eating disorders involve kidney failure and heart problems

8. Conduct Disorders
Acting out impulses toward others in destructive ways
Lying, theft, aggression, violence, vandalism, and arson are examples of conduct disorders
People with this disorder usually have low self-esteem

9. Schizophrenia
Is a severe mental disorder in which a person loses contact with reality
Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders
People have difficulty understanding the difference between real and imaginary events
Often leads to unpredictable behavior, must be treated through professional help and medication

10. Personality Disorders
The terms personality refers to an individual’s unique traits and behavior patterns
People with personality disorders think and behave in way that make it difficult for them to get along with others
Antisocial Personality Disorders-Tend to be irritable, aggressive, impulsive, or violent

11. Personality Disorders cont.
Borderline Personality Disorder- Experience troubled relationships, engage in risky activities, fear abandonment, last out violently
Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder- Tend to be uncooperative, resent being told what to do, angry over issues of control

12. Suicide Risk Factors
Most suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and actions are expressions of extreme distress, not bids for attention
More than 90 percent of the people who kill themselves are suffering from depression or another mental disorder, sexual abuse, abusing drugs, or alcohol

13. Multiple Suicides
Occurs as a result of pacts or agreements between two or more people to take part in suicide
Others result when individuals commit suicide in response to the suicide of a friend or family member

14. Warning Signs of Teen Suicide
Verbal Signs:
I want to Die
Nothing matters
They’ll be sorry when I’m gone
Soon this pain will be over
Writing poems, song lyrics, or diary entries that with death
Nonverbal or Behavioral Signs:
Unusual obsession with death
Withdrawal from friends
Substance abuse
Giving away personal belongings
Dramatic changes in personality

15. Strategies to Prevent Suicide
Despite the fact that depression is the leading cause of suicide, it is very treatable. Knowing methods for effectively expressing feelings and opinions ca help people suffering from depression as well as seeking help professionally.

16. Knowing When to Get Help
You feel trapped with no way out
Your feelings affect your sleep, eating habits, school performance
You’re becoming increasingly aggressive, violent, or reckless

17. Stumbling Blocks to Seeking Help
Asking for help from a mental health professional does not mean that a person is weak
People who have mental disorders often cannot get better on their own
Sharing your deepest thoughts with a stranger is not painful or embarrassing, in fact most people find out unloading problems is a great relief

18. Therapy Methods
Psychotherapy- on going dialogue between a patient and mental health professional
Behavior Therapy- focuses on changing unwanted behaviors through rewards and reinforcements
Cognitive Therapy- identify and correct distorted thinking patterns
Group Therapy- treating a group of people who have similar problems
Biomedical Therapy- use of medication to treat symptoms of a mental disorder

19. The Grieving Process Denial- cant believe the loss has occurred
Emotional Releases- involve periods of crying
Anger- feeling powerless and unfairly deprived, may lash out
Bargaining- reality of loss becomes clear
Depression- beyond the natural feelings of sadness, feeling isolated
Remorse- thoughts about what he or she could have don’t o prevent the loss
Acceptance- involves a sense of power, allowing the person to face reality
Hope- beginning to look ahead to the future

20. Coping with Death
Allow time to reflect on who you were before the loss
Focus on what you were able to do in the relationship, not what you could or should have done
Remember the wonderful things about that person
Seek support from others