MENTAL DISORDERS

Just like our body can be broken, our mind can be “broken” too. Often we refer to what we can see as “physical illness” and there isn’t much stigma attached to it. When we hear the term “mentally ill” we don’t think that the brain can be “broken”. What do you think? We view mentally ill people differently than we view physically ill people. This is stigma!

A mark of disgrace; a stain on one’s reputationDisapproval of personal characteristics that are

against the “norm”.Stigma may be obvious and direct, such as

someone making a negative remark about your mental health condition or your treatment. Or it can be subtle, such as someone assuming you could be violent or dangerous because you have a mental health condition.

What stigmas do we hold for mental disorders?

STIGMA

A mental disorder is an illness of the mind that can affect the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person, preventing him or her from leading a happy, healthful, and productive life.

MENTAL DISORDERS

Causes may include physical injuries or illnesses: Strokes Brain tumors Car accidents Alcoholism

Other causes may include: Stress Traumatic experiences and poor coping skills

CAUSES OF MENTAL DISORDERS

Anxiety Disorders Generalized anxiety Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Phobias Social phobia (social anxiety)

Affective Disorders SAD Depression Bi-Polar Disorder

CATEGORIES OF MENTAL DISORDERS

Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that involve excessive amounts of anxiety, fear, nervousness, worry, or dread. Anxiety that is too constant or too intense can cause a person to feel preoccupied, distracted, tense, and always on alert.

ANXIETY DISORDERS

Anxiety is a natural human reaction that involves the mind and body. It serves an important basic survival function: anxiety is an alarm system that is activated whenever a person perceives danger or threat.

ANXIETY

Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety from time to time. Anxiety can be described as a sense of uneasiness, nervousness, worry, fear, or dread of what’s about to happen or what might happen. While fear is the emotion we feel in the presence of threat, anxiety is a sense of anticipated danger, trouble, or threat.

NORMAL ANXIETY

Anxiety that’s too strong can interfere with doing our best.

Too much anxiety can cause a person to feel overwhelmed, tongue-tied, or unable to do what they need to do.

WHEN DOES ANXIETY BECOME A PROBLEM?

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions.

They affect people of all ages – including adults, children, and people in their teens. There are many different symptoms.

They all have one thing in common: Anxiety occurs too often, is too strong, is out of proportion to the present situation, and affects a person’s daily life and happiness.

ANXIETY DISORDERS ARE COMMON

Excessive worrySomeone with generalized anxiety may worry excessively about school, the health or safety of family members, and the future.

They may always think of the worst that could happen.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY

Must show at least 3 symptoms for a period of 6 months.

RestlessnessDifficulty in concentratingTensionFatigueIrritabilityMuscle tensionSleep disturbances

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

For a person with OCD, anxiety takes the form of obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (actions that try to relieve anxiety).

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

Excessive washing or cleaningCheckingRepeating actionsHoardingPutting objects in a set pattern

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

As Good As It Gets 1:07—hand washing

AS GOOD AS IT GETS VIDEO CLIP

These are intense fears of specific situations or things that are not actually dangerous, such as heights, dogs, or flying in an airplane.

Phobias usually cause people to avoid the things they are afraid of.

PHOBIAS

Arachnophobia (fear of spiders)Socialphobia (fear of being evaluated negatively in social

situations)Aerophobia (fear of flying)Agoraphobia (intense fear and avoidance of any place or

situation where escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of developing sudden panic-like symptoms)

Claustrophobia (fear of being trapped in small confined spaces)Acrophobia (fear of heights)Emetophobia (fear of vomit)Carcinophobia (fear of cancer)Brontophobia (fear of thunderstorms)Necrophobia (fear of death or dead things)

EXAMPLES OF PHOBIAS

3:00Notice the handkerchief as he exits and the symptoms he

describes to go outside his apartment.

WHAT ABOUT BOB? VIDEO CLIP

1:53

PHOBIA CONVENTION VIDEO CLIP

This intense anxiety is triggered by social situations or speaking in front of others.

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Tell a parent or other adult about physical sensations, worries, or fears. Because anxiety disorders don’t go away unless they are treated, it’s important to tell someone who can help. If a parents doesn’t seem to understand right away, talk to a school counselor, religious leader, or other trusted adult.

Get a checkup. See a doctor to make sure there are no physical conditions that could be causing symptoms.

Get regular exercise, good nutrition, and sleep. These provide your body and brain with the right fuel and time to recharge.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY DISORDER

A disorder in which a person undergoes mood changes that seem inappropriate or extreme. Bi-polar disorderDepressionSeasonal Affective Disorder

AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

A person with bipolar disorder will go through episodes of mania (highs) and at other times experience episodes of depression (lows). Dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.

These aren’t the normal periods of happiness and sadness that everyone experiences from time to time. Instead, the episodes are intense or severe mood swings, like a pendulum that keeps arcing higher and higher.

BI-POLAR DISORDER

Racing speech and thoughtsIncreased energyDecreased need for sleepElevated mood and exaggerated optimismIncreased physical and mental activityExcessive irritability, aggressive behavior, and impatiencePoor judgmentReckless behavior, like excessive spending, making rash

decisions, and erratic drivingDifficulty concentratingInflated sense of self-importance

SIGNS OF BI-POLAR DISORDER

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that appears at the same time each year.

With SAD, a person typically has symptoms of depression and unexplained fatigue as winter approaches and daylight hours become shorter. When spring returns and days become longer again, people with SAD experience relief from their symptoms, returning to their usual mood and energy level.

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

SadnessDespairSleep disturbanceExhaustionLack of concentrationLoss of motivation or interestFeeling agitatedChange in appetite

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Involves long-lasting feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or helplessness.

Many factors contribute to depression including: genetics, environment, medical conditions, life events, and certain thinking patterns.

Some people inherit genes that make it more likely for them to get depressed.

DEPRESSION

UnhappinessIsolated behaviorDrop in school performanceLoss in interest in activities that were sources of

enjoymentFeelings of worthlessnessLack of energyChange in sleeping habitsPreoccupation with sad thoughts or deathSudden outbursts of anger

INDICATORS OF DEVELOPING DEPRESSION

EvaluationMedicationTherapySupport groups

HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISORDERS

Who here is a Winnie the Pooh fan?

A.A. Milne, who created Winnie the Pooh in 1926,

F.Y.I.

WINNIE THE POOH

Some believe Pooh bear is the illustration of someone who has a binge eating disorder, but he also shows all of the same signs as someone with addiction!

PIGLET

TIGGER

EEYORE

RABBIT

OWL

CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

Suzie’s mother died a year ago, but Suzie just can’t seem to move on. Suzie is still having a hard time sleeping at night, and concentrating in school. Last week, I even caught Suzie crying in the bathroom. What do you think Suzie could be suffering from? What advice would you give Suzie’s friend? What advice would you give Suzie?

WHAT IS THE DISORDER?

Sara is constantly worried about catching colds. In fact, Sara washes her hand just about 20 times a day. When asked, Sara says that she can’t afford to be sick, and then goes into a lecture about how many germs there are around. Sometimes Sara washes her hands so much that they bleed. What advice would you give Sara? What disorder do you think Sara is suffering from?

Jenny is my best friend. We both play volleyball together. We’ve been playing volleyball together since 7th grade. I’ve noticed that every winter Jenny withdraws from her friends and always seems sad. Every winter, I think that it’s me…that I’ve done something to Jenny to upset her. Once spring hits, Jenny slowly returns to her “normal” self. What do you think Jenny could be suffering from? What advice would you give Jenny?

Brian had mood swings that were the worst anyone could have ever seen. He would have episodes of extreme happiness followed by all-time lows. Brian’s poor parents thought he hated them, but really he was sick and didn't even realize it. Now, Brian is on medications for his disorder and lives a pretty normal life. His family and friends support him, and they, along with his therapist, have helped him get to the point where he is today.