Mental Health Presentation

Chris Zheng

March 8th, 2015

Online Health

Introduction

This goal of this presentation is to present a background on stress and mental health with a specific investigation of Histrionic Personality Disorder to raise awareness of this uncommon and unknown disorder to high school students. Possible resources will also be offered in the hopes that high school students can seek help when necessary.

Definition of Mental Health

Mental Health is the state of psychological well-being in an individual in which there is a healthy relationship between mind and body. This establishes an important bridge between stressors in everyday activities and ability to function comfortably.

Stress Stress is the body’s natural reaction

to daily or unexpected activities or

situations.

The two types of Stress are Eustress

(Healthy) and Distress (Unhealthy)

Possible Stressors for high school students include: Daily school social relationships, performance in school for classes including testing, homework, sports, extracurricular activities, and family relationships

Indicators of stress can have a severe impact: changes in eating habits, isolation, feelings of hopelessness, heightened depression, and even aches/pains/colds can result from high stress

Stress Relief Strategies

Make a To-Do List and learn better time management skills

Don’t overload yourself- manage what activities you can handle and cut out activities that are stressful and not as rewarding

Avoid people who are stressors

Share your feelings with friends, trusted adults, family members- Talk it out!

Set time for fun/relaxation- Go on daily walks, hang out with friends, etc.

Maintain a healthy diet

Exercise daily

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) A disorder in which people feel severely emotionally insecure

and constantly seek attention and praise in emotional and dramatic ways

Symptoms include: Overly flirtatious actions, being easily swayed by others (overly gullible), overly dramatic, vain, concerned with personal appearance, constantly seeking approval from others, being extremely sensitive to criticism

Though some medicines can help with certain symptoms, the best way to treat this disorder is to have verbal therapy sessions and establish more self-confidence.

Statistics and Impact Most people are diagnosed with HPD

around their late teens or early 20’s HPD affects about 2 to 3 percent of

the general population, though most doctors believe the disorder is more prevalent but goes mostly undiagnosed

The disorder affects more women than men, though doctors also think that men who have the disorder are less likely to be diagnosed than women are.

HPD can lead to unhealthy behavior and social problems that can negatively affect social relationships

Mental Health Resources

There are many resources for mental health help that all depend on how comfortable a person is with seeking help and how severe their situation is.

There are numerous mental health hotlines such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1‑800‑273‑TALK

A National Mental Health Online Chat System is also in place: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx

Mental Health doctors are prevalent in many areas and can be consulted on a personal basis

There are many local Mental Health Resource Centers or Crisis Respite Centers, with mobile units recently established in the State of Colorado.

Bibliography

Sites used:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001531.htm

http://psychcentral.com/disorders/histrionic-personality-disorder-symptoms/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/histrionic-personality-disorder

http://www.mentalhealth.gov/

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm