Chapter 5Unit 2: Mental/Emotional Health

Mental & EmotionalProblems

Ch. 5/Lesson 1

Dealing with Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety-the condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen

Occasional anxiety is natural response to life events; once the stressful situation is over, so is the anxiety it created

• How to Cope? … use the stress management techniques from ch. 4

• Why not use substances such as alcohol or drugs to cope?

Depression – a prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness(sadness affects everyone, but depression usually last longer and may produce symptoms that do not go away over time)• 15% of all Teens will display some signs of depression• Most common mental health concerns

Types of Depression~Major > intense feelings; lasting weeks or months at a time~Mild > less severe symptoms, but can last for years~Adjustment Disorder > reaction to a life event (loss and having trouble with closure)

Warning Signs of Depression

5 or more of these symptoms must persist

for two or more weeks before diagnosis

Persistent sad or irritable mood

Loss of energy

Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

Significant change in appetite or weight

Difficulty concentrating

Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping

Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Physical Signs of nervousness

Causes and Effects of Depression

Causes: • physical… heredity• psychological…surviving a traumatic life event• social or environmental… living in poverty• Emotional… harmful family situation

Effects (symptoms): • changes in thinking…concentrating; decision making• changes in feelings…apathy-lack of strong feeling,

interest or concern• changes in behavior…moody, lack of; eating; sleeping;

fatigued; withdrawn; and neglect basic hygiene

Getting Help

Depression is treatable• Medications • Changes in school or environment• Counseling Focus on the positive things in your life Talk to a trusted friend, family member or counselor Get some exercise

Ch. 5 /Lesson 2

Mental Disorders

Each year 57.7 million people in the US are affected by some form of mental disorder- illness of the mind that can affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, preventing him or her from leading a happy, healthful, and productive life.

(approx. 1 in every 4)Stigma- a mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual being shunned or rejected by others

Mental Disorders are medical conditions that require diagnosis and treatment and can begin as early as childhood

Disorder Effects/Types

Anxiety disorder

*most common among children and teens13-15% between ages 9 and 17

Real or imagined fears are difficult to control-Phobia-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)-Panic Disorder-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Impulse control disorder Can’t resist the urge to cause harm to themselves or others-kleptomania -excessive gambling-cutting -compulsive shopping-pyromania

Eating disorder*more common among teen girls

Discomfort with body image; controlling and perfectionistic characteristics; people pleasers

Disorder Effects/TypesConduct disorder Engage in patterns of behavior in which

the rights of others or basic social rules are violated-Stealing -Cruelty -Arson-Lying -Violence -Vandalism-Aggression -Truancy

Schizophrenia*Affects 1% of population

Person loses contact with reality… Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders

Mood disorder

Personality Disorder

Illness that involves mood extremes that interfere with everyday living (more extreme than the normal highs and lows)-Depression-Bipolar disorder (Manic Depression)

Unable to regulate their emotions. Cause is unknown

Ch. 5/Lesson 3

Suicide PreventionSuicide-The act of intentionally taking ones own life*Graph displays % of Teens with Mild to Severe Depression(CDC Study-2009)

Boys GirlsAverage0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Felt Sad or HopelessThought About SuicideOften Felt Lonely

Most people learn to deal with stress, but for some it can cause Alienation – feeling isolated and separated from everyone else• Lack of a support group• Unable to access community helpSeeking to escape the pain, they make consider suicide*3rd Leading cause of death for Teens 15-19

Suicide Risk Factors

1. Depression or other mental problems

2. History of alcohol or drug abuse

Other Risk Factors:• Stressful situation or loss• Previous attempts• Family History of mental

disorders• Easy access to guns*Among those that do commit suicide, 90% suffer from these risk factors

Strategies to Prevent SuicideRecognizing the Warning Signs

Signs should be taken seriously. The more signs exhibited, the more likely it is that the person is thinking about suicide

Recognizing these signs may help prevent `````````````````````a SUICIDE```````````````````````

Direct statements “I wish I were dead” Deterioration of schoolwork

Indirect statements “I can’t take it…” Substance abuse

Unusual obsession with death Guilt, shame, rejection, (-)self evaluation

Writing songs, lyrics, poems, diary entries about death

Giving away personal belongings

Dramatic changes in personality, hygiene, or appearance

Intolerance for praise or rewards

Impulsive/Unusual behaviors Violent, rebellious behavior, running away

Withdrawal from friends Complaints about physical ailments

How You Can Help• Initiate a Meaningful Conversation(Show interest, compassion, patience, and understanding and just listen)• Show Support and Ask Questions(“All problems have solutions…suicide is not the answer) *Share the fact that most suicide survivors are grateful the did not die • Try to Persuade the Person to Seek Help(parent, counselor, trusted adult…go with them)

Ch. 5/Lesson 4

Getting Help (Mental Health Professionals)

When is help needed?• Feeling trapped or worried all the time• Feelings that affect sleep, eating, schoolwork,

performance, relationships• Becoming involved with alcohol/drugs• Being aggressive, violent, or recklessMental Health influences every aspect

of a person’s life….get help!

Seeking help can be a hard step and you can’t do it alone!

Facts to keep in mind when you or someone is hesitant to seek help…

• Show signs of inner strength• Serious disorder, compulsions, additions do

require professional intervention• Sharing thoughts and feeling with an objective

person can be of great relief• Financial help may be available

Mental Health ProfessionalsHealth Care

Professionals `````````````````````````

Counselor Neurologist

School Psychologist

Clinical Psychologist

Psychiatrist Psychiatric Social

Worker

• Counselor-handles personal/school matters

• School Psychologist-assessment of learning, emotional, and behavior problems

• Psychiatrist-physician that can diagnose/treat mental disorders (prescribe meds)

• Neurologist-physician of physical disorders of brain/nervous system

• Clinical Psychologist-diagnose/treat emotional and behavior disorders

• Psychiatric Social Worker-provides counseling/guidance in community (hospitals, health clinics, etc)

Methods of TreatmentTreatment Methods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Psychotherapy – on going dialogue with patient to find the cause of the problem and devise a solution

Family Therapy –helping families function more positively promote better communication and education

Behavior Therapy – focuses on changing the unwanted behavior through rewards and reinforcements

Group Therapy – treating a group of people who have similar problems

Cognitive Therapy – identify and correct distorted thinking patterns that lead to self-destructive behaviors and feelings

Drug Therapy – the use of certain medications to treat or reduce the symptoms of the disorder