What is a mental disorder?

A mental disorder is an illness that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

Someone with a mental disorder may not feel good about themselves or may have a difficult time develop intimate relationships.

They may have difficulty dealing with everyday activities

What are symptoms of

a mental disorder?A change that a person

notices in his or her body or mind that is caused

by a disease or disorder.

List some common symptoms one might experience if dealing

with a mental disorder:

Too much or too little sleepFeeling of extreme sadnessUnexplained mood changesDrug or alcohol abuseInability to concentrateExtreme anxiety or irrational fearPersonality changesFalse perceptions of reality

What is the difference between being sad and depression? Everyone feels sad or down at times, however if it keeps

you from carrying out everyday

activities it is considered depression.

List some of the symptoms of depression:

Lack of energyWithdraw from people

Loss of appetite or overeatingToo much or too little sleep

Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness

What are some things you can do if experiencing

depression?

Face the problemIdentify the problem

Take action

The most commonly diagnosed childhood disorder is ADHD

(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

What are some of the

behaviors

that go along with

being ADHD?

Inattentive or impulsively hyperactive

to the point of having trouble accomplishing daily activities.

They may have trouble doing school work, difficult in following directions and may be easily distracted.

What are

Anxiety Disorders?

If anxiety gets in the way of taking part in daily activities,

or it occurs frequently, or if it causes terror then it

may be a disorder.

Describe the following Anxiety Disorders:

The person may feel extreme fear for his or her life

even though there is not any danger.

excessive or persistent fear

of something that

may or may not cause

real danger.

Disorder triggered by uncomfortable thoughts called obsessions

and by repetitive behaviors called

compulsions.

What causes Mental Disorders?

Many believe the some mental disorders

such as phobias develop from

traumatic or stressful situations such

as a death, an accident or

an abusive event.

Other disorders can be inherited and

yet other disorders can result from

an injury or a physical disorder that

effects the brain .

Can Mental Disorders

be cured?

Many disorders are treatable and some can

be cured with the help of

psychotherapy, group therapy or even

medication.