1. Mental Disorders
An illness that affects the mind and reduces a person’s ability to function, to adjust to change, or to get along with others.

2. Causes of Mental Disorders
Physical Factors- Damage to the brain-growth or tumor-prolonged use of drugs or alcohol.
Heredity- Disorders may be inherited.
Early childhood experiences- ex; a child who is neglected or abused.
Recent experiences- ex; death of a loved one.

3. Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder- intense worry, fears, restlessness, fatigue, trouble falling asleep, and trouble concentrating.
Phobias- anxiety associated to a specific situation or object.
Panic Attacks- fast heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling or shaking etc.

4. Anxieties cont.
Obsessive compulsive Disorder (OCD)- an unwanted thought or image takes control of the mind and the person has unreasonable need to behave in a certain way to prevent feared outcome.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Survivors of life-threatening events-flashbacks, nightmares-produce intense fear or horror.

5. Other Mental Disorders
Mood Disorders- experience extreme emotions-ex; bipolar disorder also called manic-depressive disorder-overly excited and restless-periods of deep depression.
Schizophrenia-severe disturbances in thinking, mood, awareness and behavior- means “Split mind”. Hear voices and often talk to themselves.

6. Depression & Suicide
Clinical Depression- Mood disorder- characterized by feeling sad or hopeless for months maybe longer.
Risk Factors-
A parent or other close biological relative with a mood disorder
A major life change or a prolonged stressful situation
Being a victim of a violent crime or witnessing violence
A previous bout with depression
A sense of hopelessness

7. Signs of Clinical Depression
Change in appetite, significant weight loss or gain
Change in sleep patterns, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
Change in activity level; sluggish (slow) or frantic (fast-paced)
Loss of interest in usual activities
Loss of energy; always tired
Hopelessness; excessive guilt
Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Repeated thoughts of death and suicide

8. Depression Cont. Treatment Medication
Learn new strategies to cope with problems

9. Eating Disorders
An eating disorder is a mental disorder that reveals itself through abnormal behaviors related to food.
Anorexia Nervosa- Extreme weight loss, slowed heart and breathing rates, dry skin, lowered body temperature, menstrual period problems.
Possible causes- Lack of a chemical that regulates mood, low self-esteem, strong desire to please someone.
Most often it’s a matter of control!

10. Eating Disorders
Bulimia- uncontrolled eating binges followed by purging.
Health Risks- dehydration, kidney damage, lack of necessary vitamins and minerals, acid in vomit irritates throat and erodes enamel on teeth, depression and possible suicide.
Possible Causes- Use of food to feel better emotionally.

11. Eating Disorders
Binge Eating Disorder- Uncontrollable urge to eat large amounts of food- Ex; intend to eat 1-2 slices of bread and they eat the entire loaf!
Health Risks- Excess weight, unhealthy dieting, diabetes, high blood pressure, tendency to turn to extreme diets.
Possible Causes- avoid difficult emotions, such as anger or stressful situations.