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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Depression Cont.

• Treatment– Medication– Learn new strategies to cope with problems

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!

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.

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.