Mental Health

What Causes Mental Illness?

Environment

Experiences

Self-esteem

Physical Causes

Body chemistry

Disease

Toxins and drugs

Heredity

Genetic

Warning Signs

Anxiety

Depression

Sudden change in mood or behavior

Physical complaints

Psychosomatic

Poor performance

Classifications of Mental Disorders

NeurosisAnxiety disorders, depression & phobias Common and easily treated

Personality Dissociative disordersNot curable

Psychosis SchizophreniaDifficult to function in the real world

Eating Disorders Behaviors that are the result of deep emotional

problems related to self-image and self-esteem.

Disordered eating as a result of a

mental condition.

Bulimia:

Bingeing on food then purging to avoid weight gain

Anorexia Nervosa:

Excessive dieting resulting in a state of self-starvation

Anxiety Disorders

General Anxiety Disorder: Constant feeling of anxiety and fear with physical symptoms like increased heart rate, shortness of breath, perspiration, shaking, and diarrhea

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Persistent recurring thoughts accompanied with the need to repeatedly perform some action, such as repeatedly washing one’s hands.

Anxiety Disorders Continued

Panic Disorder

Intense feelings of terror that occur

suddenly without cause

Phobia

Persistent fear of something:

Hydrophobia (fear of water),

claustrophobia (fear of small,

enclosed spaces), Agoraphobia (fear

of public places)

Dissociative Disorders

A person believes that sometimes he or she is really someone else.

Amnesia

Loss of Memory

Multiple Personality Disorder

Having two or more distinct personalities, which can show different physical conditions and are often the exact opposite of each other

Mood Disorders

One mood is experienced almost to the exclusion of other feelings

Usually for a long time and interrupts a person’s ability to complete daily activities. Depression is the most common.

Mood Disorders Continued

Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression)

Experiencing exaggerated feelings of euphoria, irritability, depression; exaggerated mood swings; reckless behavior.

Depression

Experiencing feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness for an extended period of time.

Personality Disorders

Traits that negatively affect a person’s ability to have a good relationship with others

AggressionBehavior that displays an inner

conflict between being dependent and being assertive, which results in erratic moods

ParanoiaConsistent mistrust of others for

no reason

Antisocial Personality DisorderShowing a preference to

remain distant from others

Other Disorders

Organic Disorders

Mental and emotional disorders resulting from a physical cause.

Schizophrenia

Impaired perceptions, thinking processes, emotional health, and physical activity.

Hypochondriasis (A Somatoform Disorder)

Believing and showing signs of serious illness without any physical cause.

Seeking Help

When to seek professional help:

Prolonged feeling of depression and hopelessness

Feeling that life is out of control

The inability to concentrate and make decisions

Difficulty getting along with family and friends

Intense fears

Persistent difficulty sleeping

Emotional problems coping with a physical illness

Inability to stop destructive behaviors like drinking,

overeating, and abusing drugs

Therapy Medication

Talk Therapy

Group Therapy

Play Therapy

Alternative

Relaxation techniques, meditation, music therapy or art therapy

Professional Careers in

Mental Health

Psychiatrist

Prescribes medicine

Psychologist

Diagnoses and treats

Counselors

People With Healthy

Personalities…

Are self-disciplined

Are trustworthy

Like themselves

Are responsible

Will help others

People With Healthy

Personalities…

Feel valuable

Get along well with others

Express emotions in healthful ways

Solve problems in a constructive manner

Have a philosophy and purpose of life