Mental IllnessMental Illness Ch. 4Ch. 4

Mental Disorders Defined…Mental Disorders Defined…

An illness that affects the mind and reduces a person’ ability to function, to change, or

to get along with others.

Mental health experts see abnormal thoughts, feelings, or behaviors as signs

or symptoms of a mental disorder.

1:6 people suffer from a mental illness

Causes of Mental IllnessCauses of Mental Illness

• Heredity

• Physical Factors: brain damage from an injury, brain tumor, infection to brain, exposure to toxic chemical, or alcohol and drug use.

• Experiences: early negative experiences such as a abuse or recent negative experiences such as a loss.

Can be grouped into Can be grouped into categories:categories:

(These are some, not all, of the categories)(These are some, not all, of the categories)

•Anxiety Disorders•Mood Disorders•Schizophrenia•Impulse – Control Disorders

•Eating Disorders

Anxiety DisordersAnxiety Disorders

• A disorder that usually causes strong nervousness, worry, or panic and interferes with daily living and functioning.

• Can be treated with medicine and/or counseling. Some can be cured completely

• Anxiety can be constant over a long time or it may occur in short bursts

• Include: General Anxiety Disorders, Phobias, Panic Attacks, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder.

Generalized Anxiety DisordersGeneralized Anxiety Disorders

• Intense worry, fears, or anxiety lasting most days for at least 6 months

• Thoughts and worries don’t have a specific source

• Warning signs include: restlessness, fatigue, trouble sleeping, and trouble concentrating.– Many of these signs are common symptoms

of stress

Panic DisorderPanic Disorder(type of anxiety disorder)(type of anxiety disorder)

• An anxiety disorder that causes a person to have brief periods of extreme anxiety called panic attacks.

• Panic attacks can be triggered by anxiety or specific things called Phobias (ie: spiders, flying, clowns) or by social situations (ie. Meeting new people, speaking in public)

Obsessive Compulsive DisorderObsessive Compulsive Disorder(type of anxiety disorder)(type of anxiety disorder)

• An Obsession is an unwanted thought or image that takes control of the mind and may lead to a compulsion

• A Compulsion is an unreasonable need to behave in a certain way to prevent feared outcome (the obsession)

• They are usually always present but tend to become more apparent when person is anxious.

• Can be treated with medicine and/or counseling. Can be cured completely

OCD SymptomsOCD Symptoms

Obsessive Thoughts

• Fear of dirt or germs• Fear of causing harm

– Door unlock, oven on

• Need for order and symmetry

Compulsions

• Extreme cleaning• Excessive double

checking• Ordering/arranging• Mental ritual

– Praying, numbering/counting

Post – Traumatic Stress DisorderPost – Traumatic Stress Disorder(type of anxiety disorder)(type of anxiety disorder)

• A disorder that can occur after someone has experienced intense fear, helplessness, or horror (rape, war, natural disaster, abuse, accidents, and captivity)

• After the event, they continually experience the event, avoid individual, thoughts, or situations associated with the event and have symptoms of excessive emotions.

Mood DisordersMood Disorders

• An illness where people experience extreme emotions that make it difficult to function well in daily life.

2 types:1. Depression2. Bipolar

DepressionDepression(type of mood disorder)(type of mood disorder)

• A mood disorder in which a person is extremely sad and hopeless for an extended time period

• Can be triggered by chronic distress or genetically

• Treatment can be meds and/or counseling

Risk Factors for DepressionRisk Factors for Depression

• Genetics

• Major life change or prolonged stressful situation

• Being a victim or witness of a violent crime

• A previous bout of depression

• A sense of hopelessness

Symptoms of DepressionSymptoms of Depression

• Sadness & tearfulness for no reason

• Lack of energy and motivation

• Excessive or lack of sleep

• Feelings of guilt and hopelessness

• Thoughts of suicide

• Social withdraw

• Don’t care attitude

BipolarBipolar(type of mood disorder)(type of mood disorder)

• Illness in which people have uncontrollable mood changes

• Also called manic depression• Moods are on opposites end of spectrum• Manic states cause increased energy and

irritation. Person is irrational• Depression state is extremely low, often not

getting out a bed and tending to responsibilities• Usually needs to be medicated for stable moods

Self-InjurySelf-Injury

An unhealthy way to cope with emotions, stress, or traumatic events

Includes: cutting, scratching, or burningReason for self-injury is to relieve painful

feelings or divert emotional pain to physical pain

Self-Injury can be a symptom of a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, or eating disorder.

SchizophreniaSchizophrenia

• Severe disturbances in thinking, mood, awareness, and behavior.

• Symptoms include hallucinations (sensing something that isn’t real), delusions (false belief), and paranoia

• Ranges in severity from mild to severe

• Usually require life-long treatment with medicine.

Impulse Control DisordersImpulse Control Disorders

People with impulse – control disorder cannot resist the impulse, or drive, to act in a certain way that is harmful to themselves or others. Examples include:

• Kleptomania• Gambling• Shopping• Pyromania