Mental Illnesses

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What is it? Extremely worried about things like health,

money, family/friend problems even when there is little or no reason to worry about them

Anxious about getting through the day Think things will always go badly

Signs and Symptoms Worry very much about everyday things Have trouble controlling their constant worries Know that they worry much more than they should Not able to relax Have a hard time concentrating Have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep Have headaches, muscle aches, stomach aches Be irritable, sweat a lot, and feel light headed

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What causes it? Sometimes runs in the family Several parts of the brain are involved in fear

and anxiety Stress and environmental factors may play a

role

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

How is it treated? Psychotherapy or cognitive behavior therapy

Teaches a person different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations that help him or her feel less anxious and worried

Medication Anti-anxiety medications

Are powerful and many types begin working right away – but they should not be taken for long periods

Antidepressants May take several weeks to start working Side effects headache, nausea, or difficulty sleeping

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

What is it like to have GAD? "I was worried all the time about everything. It

didn't matter that there were no signs of problems, I just got upset. I was having trouble falling asleep at night, and I couldn't keep my mind focused at work. I felt angry at my family all the time.”

"I saw my doctor and explained my constant worries. My doctor sent me to someone who knows about GAD. Now I am taking medicine and working with a counselor to cope better with my worries. I had to work hard, but I feel better. I'm glad I made that first call to my doctor.”

Royce White: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRUS6QBiViQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe21L3EnDdE

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• What is it?– Anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or

living through a dangerous event– May feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no

longer in danger

• Who gets it?– Anyone at any age– War veterans, survivors of physical and sexual assault,

abuse, accidents, disasters, and many other serious events

– Unexpected death of a loved one

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Re-experiencing symptoms– Flashbacks, bad dreams, frightening thoughts

• Avoidance symptoms– Staying away from places that are reminders of the

experience, feeling emotionally numb, feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry, losing interest in activities that were enjoyable

• Hyperarousal symptoms– Being easily startled, feeling tense or “on edge,” having

difficulty sleeping and/or having angry outbursts

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Do children react differently than adults? Children:

Bedwetting when they do not do so normally, acting out the scary event during playtime, being unusually clingy with a parent or adult

Older children, teens, and adults Disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behavior Feelings of guilt and thoughts of revenge

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

How is it detected? Diagnosed by a doctor such as a psychiatrist or

psychologist To be diagnosed, a person must have all of the

following for at least one month At least 1 re-experiencing symptom At least 3 avoidance symptoms At least 2 hyperarousal symptoms

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Risk Factors for PTSD Living through dangerous

events Getting hurt Seeing people hurt/killed Having little or no social

support after the event Dealing with extra stress

after the event

Resilience factors may reduce the risk of PTSD Seeking out support from

friends and family Finding a support group

after the traumatic event Having a coping strategy Being able to act and

respond effectively despite feeling fear

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

How is it treated? Psychotherapy (“talk” therapy) Medications Combination of both?

http://www.medicinenet.com/posttraumatic_stress_disorder_quiz/quiz.htm

Social Anxiety

• What is it?– People with social phobia are afraid of doing

common things in front of other people. For example, they might be afraid to sign a check in front of a cashier at the grocery store, or they might be afraid to eat or drink in front of other people, or use a public restroom. Most people who have social phobia know that they shouldn't be as afraid as they are, but they can't control their fear. Sometimes, they end up staying away from places or events where they think they might have to do something that will embarrass them. For some people, social phobia is a problem only in certain situations, while others have symptoms in almost any social situation.

Social Anxiety• Signs and symptoms

– Anxious about being with other people and have a hard time talking to them, even though they wish they could

– Self-conscious in front of other people and feel embarrassed– Be very afraid that other people will judge them– Worry for days or weeks before an event where other people

will be– Stay away from places where there are other people– Have a hard time making friends and keeping friends

Social Anxiety

• What causes it?– Sometimes runs in families– Several parts of the brain are involved in fear or

anxiety

• How is it treated?– Psychotherapy: different ways of thinking– Medication: anti-anxiety and antidepressants

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7EAsMNZ6uA