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Mental Health Considerations

SMental Health

• Encompasses one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being.

• The goal of mental health treatment is to increase one’s ability to function on a day-to-day basis and feel good about oneself and the future.

• When people experience symptoms like mood swings, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, anger, anxiety, and other issues, it can indicate the existence of a mental illness

• Mental health disorders are treatable with psychotherapy and medication.

Substance Use and Mental Health Considerations

Goes hand in hand with other forms of mental illness

MDDAnxietyADHDPTSDBipolar disorder

It’s not an uncommon issue

Alcohol or drugs are often used to self-medicate Alcohol and drug abuse can increase underlying risk

for mental disorders Alcohol and drug abuse can make symptoms of a

mental health problem worse

What are the causes of a mental illness

Genetics and family history Life experiences Biological issues Traumatic brain injury

Prenatal exposure to certain toxins or viruses

Drug use and abuse Chronic medical conditions

There is no one cause for mental illness. Rather, it is often a combination of issues. According to Medline Plus, these can include:

Disorders to consider

Mood disorders Anxiety Disorders

Depression Bipolar disorder

ADHD Other

Mood Disorders

Many intense, persistent, inconsistent and/or unmanageable signs of substance abuse such as:

Severe mood swings Chronic depressionEmotional outbursts Compulsive behavior

Anxiety

Life involves worry, stress and fear and anxiety affects the mind and body

This is natural and often beneficial

Common signs Excessive tension and worry Feeling restless or jumpy Irritability or feeling “on edge” Racing heart or shortness of

breath Nausea, trembling, or dizziness Muscle tension, headaches Trouble concentrating Insomnia

Anxiety and substance use

Alcohol initially soothes worry and physical agitation of anxiety Over time it makes it

worse Prolonged impacts

include insomnia, fatigue, jumpiness, poor appetite

Depression: Common Signs

Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

Loss of interest in daily activities

Inability to experience pleasure

Appetite or weight changes

Sleep changes Loss of energy Strong feelings of

worthlessness or guilt Concentration problems Anger, physical pain, and

reckless behavior (especially in men)

Depression

Triggers use of substances to self medicate Effects of intoxication or withdrawal can resemble signs of

depressive disorder Neurological factors that cause depression may predispose the

individual to alcohol or drug addiction Those that have a co-occurring disorder of depression and

substance use disorder are more likely to drop out of treatment.

Bipolar

Changes in mood and energy are natural in life and we can experience peaks and valleys

Usually intense ups and downs that are prolonged may be sign of bipolar disorder. Substance abuse is extremely common in people with bipolar

disorder. May use depressants or stimulants to regulate their emotions. May feel powerful or invincible when in a manic phase and will

engage in risk-taking or compulsive behaviors.

What does mania in bipolar disorder look like?

Inflated self confidence Short temper, anger or rage Rapid thinking or talking Excessive physical activity

Lack of mental focus and distractibility

Decreased need for sleep Taking on new projects Increased attention to

activities like substance abuse, shopping or gambling

ADHD

Symptoms interfere with job prospects, relationships and financial stability

Alcohol can help curb some symptoms including distractibility, restlessness and impulsivity. Substances can worsen some neurological and psychological effects of ADHD such as edginess, poor concentration , depression and anxiety.

Drugs and alcohol do not cause this disorder

Anger

Natural emotion for all humans in which someone feels strongly annoyed, displeased or hostile

Tells us when something, someone or ourselves are being threatened-fear based emotion.

Having overwhelming anger with lack of skill in reacting effectively can intensify anger issues.

Difficulty regulating emotions related to anger might lead some to cope through substance use.

This can exacerbate problems rather than subdue than