Mental Disorders

1
Mental Disorders

• An illness that affects the mind and reduces a
  persons ability to function, to adjust to
  change, or to get along with others.

2
Causes of Mental Disorders

• Physical Factors- Damage to the brain-growth or
  tumor-prolonged use of drugs or alcohol.
• Heredity- Disorders may be inherited.
• Early childhood experiences- ex a child who is
  neglected or abused.
• Recent experiences- ex death of a loved one.

3
Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder- intense worry,
  fears, restlessness, fatigue, trouble falling
  asleep, and trouble concentrating.
• Phobias- anxiety associated to a specific
  situation or object.
• Panic Attacks- fast heart rate, rapid breathing,
  sweating, trembling or shaking etc.

4
Anxieties cont.

• Obsessive compulsive Disorder (OCD)- an unwanted
  thought or image takes control of the mind and
  the person has unreasonable need to behave in a
  certain way to prevent feared outcome.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder- Survivors of
  life-threatening events-flashbacks,
  nightmares-produce intense fear or horror.

5
Other Mental Disorders

• Mood Disorders- experience extreme emotions-ex
  bipolar disorder also called manic-depressive
  disorder-overly excited and restless-periods of
  deep depression.
• Schizophrenia-severe disturbances in thinking,
  mood, awareness and behavior- means Split mind.
  Hear voices and often talk to themselves.

6
Depression Suicide

• Clinical Depression- Mood disorder- characterized
  by feeling sad or hopeless for months maybe
  longer.
• Risk Factors-
• A parent or other close biological relative with
  a mood disorder
• A major life change or a prolonged stressful
  situation
• Being a victim of a violent crime or witnessing
  violence
• A previous bout with depression
• A sense of hopelessness

7
Signs of Clinical Depression

• Change in appetite, significant weight loss or
  gain
• Change in sleep patterns, difficulty sleeping or
  sleeping too much
• Change in activity level sluggish (slow) or
  frantic (fast-paced)
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Loss of energy always tired
• Hopelessness excessive guilt
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating
• Repeated thoughts of death and suicide

8
Depression Cont.

• Treatment
• Medication
• Learn new strategies to cope with problems

9
Eating Disorders

• An eating disorder is a mental disorder that
  reveals itself through abnormal behaviors related
  to food.
• Anorexia Nervosa- Extreme weight loss, slowed
  heart and breathing rates, dry skin, lowered body
  temperature, menstrual period problems.
• Possible causes- Lack of a chemical that
  regulates mood, low self-esteem, strong desire to
  please someone.
• Most often its a matter of control!

10
Eating Disorders

• Bulimia- uncontrolled eating binges followed by
  purging.
• Health Risks- dehydration, kidney damage, lack of
  necessary vitamins and minerals, acid in vomit
  irritates throat and erodes enamel on teeth,
  depression and possible suicide.
• Possible Causes- Use of food to feel better
  emotionally.

11
Eating Disorders

• Binge Eating Disorder- Uncontrollable urge to eat
  large amounts of food- Ex intend to eat 1-2
  slices of bread and they eat the entire loaf!
• Health Risks- Excess weight, unhealthy dieting,
  diabetes, high blood pressure, tendency to turn
  to extreme diets.
• Possible Causes- avoid difficult emotions, such
  as anger or stressful situations.