Mental illnesses

Are you Healthy mentally?

What causes Mental problems?

1. Write a definition for mental

illness 2. Give a brief description on what you believe causes mental illnesses.3. How are people with mental illnesses treated by society? Why?

Mental Illness/Disorders

is an illness that affects the mind, emotions, and behaviors of a person.

Trouble dealing with everyday routines May not be able to have fun/ don’t feel

good about self May not be able to develop intimate

relationships

General Characteristics/Symptoms

Too much sleep or too little sleep Unexplained mood changes Extreme sadness Drug/alcohol use Can not concentrate Extreme anxiety or irrational fear Personality change False perception of reality

Categories

There are many different types of mental and emotional problems, all classified into one of two categories:

Organic Disorders

are disorders caused by physical damage -illness/injury - that affects the brain.

Causes of organic disordersa. brain tumors

b. alcoholism

c. Syphilis

d. strokes

Functional disorders

are disorders caused by biological changes in the brain – emotional/environmental stress, poor coping skills, and emotional conflict-fear.

Six types of functional disorders

1) Anxiety 2) Somatoforms 3) Affective – Mood 4) Personality – Conduct 5) Cognitive 6) Eating

Anxiety Disorders

Nervousness that affects daily activities and causes fear – real or imagined that disrupts a person from enjoying life.

1. Anxiety Disorders –

most common psychiatric illness affecting children and adults

Develop from a complex set of risk factors- genetic, brain chemistry, personality, and life events

Estimated 40 million adults suffer Highly treatable but 1/3 of those receive help

• Cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, drugs combination therapy

Major Fears

Speaking in front of people – 41% Heights – 32% Insects, $ problems, deep water – 22% Sickness/germs, Death, Flying 19% Elevators, escalators – 21%

Teens

• Losing parents – 58%

• Dying – 28%

• not being successful 21%

General Anxiety

– on going anxiety that interferes with day to day activities and relationships and makes it hard to enjoy life

• Constant worry about small/large concerns 6 mo. Or longer

• Feeling of restlessness

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• trembling./sleeplessness/shortness of breath

Social Anxiety

Fear to make a mistake and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of peers or others.

• Afraid of certain situations – public speaking

• Eating/drinking in front of others

• Writing/working in front of others

• Being center of attention

• Using public restrooms/water fountains/phones

• Symptoms – confusion/HR increase/shaking/sweating/blushing/upset stomach

Anxiety Disorders

A) Phobias – persistent fears of something that may or may not cause real danger.

B) obsessive / compulsive disorder – OCD -uncomfortable thoughts. repetitiveness-compulsions. Rituals to be complete

C) Panic disorder- a person may feel extreme fear for his/her life even if they are not in danger.

D) Post traumatic stress – horrible event that took place and it keeps repeating in the mind.

2. Somatoforms

2. Is a condition in which the person complains of disease symptoms but no physical cause can be found.• Known as hypochondria – complains of being

sick but there is no cause.• Preoccupation with the body and presume they

have diseases

• Refuse to believe doctors

3. Affective disorders (Mood disorders)

mood swings that are severe and last quite awhile which interferes with their daily lives.• Cause is unknown

• Runs in families

• Unable to cope and handle daily situations

95% of Americans suffer from depression

A. Clinical Depression

1. Clinical depression – Major Depression – is disabling – feeling sad/hopelessness that last for more than a few weeks and interferes with daily activities.

B. Chronic Depression

2. Chronic depression - characterized by a long term (two years or more) depressed mood. Can not be due to drugs/alcohol• Affects ones ability to

concentrate/sleep/perform

Depression

10.9 million Americans are affected 18 years or older

C. Bipolar Depression or Manic Depression

Mood disorder that alternates between periods of clinical depression and times of extreme elation or mania.

D. SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder

Depression that occurs each year around the same time. Usually late fall and winter.

Symptoms of Depression

Lack of energy Withdrawal from people Loss of appetite Too much or too little sleep Feelings of helplessness or

hopelessness

Suicide – taking of ones own life

Warning signs of suicide- 3rd leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds

Suicide

1) Verbal signs – talk about death 2) Behavioral – withdrawal, neglect self, loss

energy, give away possessions• 4 males commit suicide for every 1 female

• Females attempt suicide 4-8 x’s more than males

4 ways to prevent Suicide

1. Take the person seriously 2. ask if they have specific plan 3. be direct – talk openly 4. allow person to express feelings

Personality Disorders- chronic behavior patterns that cause serious problems with relationships and work

Anti – social Schizophrenia Passive Aggressive Borderline Personality Narcissistic Personality

4. Personality Disorders (conduct) Anti social- constant conflict with society-

cruel, uncaring, irresponsible, impulsive. They know right /wrong but don’t care of the consequences

-Schizophrenia-false perceptions of reality-hallucinate, delusional *occurs most often 15-35 year olds and develops slowly over time

-passive aggressive – uncooperative with others, resents authority but does not demonstrate resentment.

Borderline Personality• Characterized by pervasive instability in mood, self

image and behavior.

• 2% are affected mostly women

Narcissistic personality – • Inflated sense of self importance and an extreme

preoccupation w/ one’s self

Childhood disease -ADHD- Attention Deficit/hyperactivity disorder *most common childhood diagnosed disorder *lifelong disease/cause unknown *symptoms/ interrupt daily activities - inability to pay attention - Can not sit quietly - Always moving

- Trouble staying on task - Easily distracted

*treatment – medication to help concentration

5. Cognitive Disorders -Learning Disabilities

Dyslexia Visual Processing Auditory processing

Dementia

Brain deterioration that affects memory, language, and reasoning.

6. Eating disorders – obsessive thoughts about weight control

Anorexia nervosa –self starvation Bulimia – Binging and purging

All disorders are treatable

Some are cured others are manageable but all must receive help.

95% of Americans suffer from some form of depression

20% of American children suffering from mental disorder

Training - Psychiatrist

Deal with mental, emotional, behavioral disorders of the mind

Medical doctor – 4 year medical school 1 year internship Pass state licensing exam Can prescribe medication

Neurologist

Physician who is specialized in organic disorders of the brain and nervous system

Degree in medicine Post graduate training Experience in field State license

Clinical Psychologist

Diagnoses and treats emotional and behavioral disorders

Master of arts/science Doctor of philosophy or psychology Cannot prescribe medication

Types of therapy Psychoanalysis: one on one analysis of patient’s past

(find the problem in early life) Psychotherapy: discussion by patient and psychologist

to bring out the problem, understand and solve it. Medicine therapy: medication to decrease the disorder

or to prepare for psychoanalysis or psychotherapy. Electroconvulsive therapy: electric shock for severe

depression. Group therapy: meet with others with similar problems.

Dr. acts as a guide.