Chapter 5 Lessons 1 - 4

Understanding Anxiety Occasional anxiety is a normal, manageable reaction to many short-term, stressful situations Anxiety: The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may happen

How do I know if my anxiety is normal? Do my feelings of anxiousness interfere with daily life? Am I stressed most of the time?  Feelings of fear or worry most of the time  Causes easy distractions and difficulty concentrating  Muscle tension, not able to relax  Changes in appetite and sleep patterns  Physical symptoms (headache, upset stomach)

Understanding Depression Depression can linger or be severe enough to disrupt daily activities. Depression : A prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness

Depression is a serious condition that may require medical attention, and is a common mental health concern among teens (about 15% of all teens will display some signs of depression)

Warning Signs of Depression:  Persistent sad or irritable mood  Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed  Significant change in appetite or body weight  Difficulty sleeping OR oversleeping  Physical signs of nervousness  Loss of energy  Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt  Difficulty concentrating  Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Causes and Effects of Depression Physical, psychological, or social reasons  Physical – medical condition or illness  Psychological – surviving a traumatic event  Social/Environmental – living in poverty or other harmful environment

Getting Help for Depression – a treatable illness  Talk with a trusted adult (parent, teacher, or school counselor)  Health professionals will develop a plan which may include  medication  making changes in school or home environment  counseling  Treating depression takes time, persistence, and patience

Understanding Mental Disorders Medical conditions that require diagnosis and treatment Mental disorder: An illness of the mind that can affect the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person; preventing him/her from leading a happy, healthful, and productive life.

About 1 in 4 Americans are affected with a mental disorder. Many do not seek treatment because they feel embarrassed or ashamed. Being educated about mental disorders help erase stigmas… Stigma: A mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual being shunned or rejected by others

Types of Mental Disorders  Anxiety Disorder – a condition in which real or imagined fears are difficult to control (pg. 119, figure 5.3 for list of types & descriptions)  Impulse Control Disorder – cannot resist the urge to hurt themselves or others (pg. 120, figure 5.4 for list of types & descriptions)  Eating Disorder – common among teens; can lead to unhealthful weight loss and death

Types of Mental Disorders  Mood Disorder – an illness that involves mood extremes that interfere with everyday living  Depression  Bipolar disorder – a manic-depressive disorder marked by extreme mood changes, energy levels, and behavior  Conduct Disorder – patterns of behavior in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated

Types of Mental Disorders  Schizophrenia – person loses contact with reality; unpredictable behavior  delusions  hallucinations  thought disorders  Personality Disorders – unable to regulate emotions (distress in social situation or behave in ways distressing to others); causes unknown

Knowing the facts Certain risk factors increase thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts Alienation: feeling isolated and separated from everyone else Suicide: the act of intentionally taking one’s own life

Risk Factors:  Depression or another mental disorder  Abusing alcohol or other drugs More than 90% of those who commit suicide suffer from either one or both of these common risk factors…

Prevention Strategies: Warning signs to be taken seriously  “I wish I were dead” – direct statements  “I can’t take it anymore” – indirect statements  Withdrawal from friends  Substance abuse  Dramatic changes in personality, hygiene, appearance  Giving away of personal belongings  More examples on pg. 124, figure 5.7

How to Help  Initiate a meaningful conversation – showing empathy, patience, and concern  Show support and ask questions – all problems have solutions, suicide is not the answer  Seek help – tell an adult who will take action Community resources available (crisis centers and hotlines) – more from Ms. Deskus visit on Monday, 3/14

When Help is Needed The first step to getting help for a mental health problem is being aware help is needed  Feeling trapped or worried all the time  Feelings that affect sleep, eating habits, schoolwork, job performance, or relationships  Becoming involved with alcohol or other drugs  Becoming increasingly aggressive, violent, or reckless

Overcoming Stumbling Blocks The benefits of treatment encourage people to overcome reluctance to get help  Asking for help = inner strength & responsibility  Serious disorders, compulsions, and addictions require professional intervention  Sharing thoughts, feelings with objective, helpful person can = great relief  Financial help to pay for professional care may be available (grants, insurance, government assistance and programs)

Mental Health Professionals People in our community are available to help  Counselor  School  Psychiatrist  Neurologist  Clinical psychologist  Psychiatric social worker

Treatment Methods  Psychotherapy: ongoing dialogue between a patient and mental health professional  Behavior Therapy: treatment process focusing on changing unwanted behaviors through rewards and reinforcements  Cognitive Therapy: identify and correct distorted thinking patterns (changing self- destructive, self-defeating, and/or troublesome feelings and thoughts)

Treatment Methods  Family Therapy: helping family’s function in more positive and constructive ways  Group Therapy: treating a group of people who have similar problems  Drug/Chemical Therapy: certain medications to treat/reduce the symptoms of mental disorder

Student Activity: Answer the following questions or fill in the blank and turn in for grade: What are some signs of depression? Help is needed for a mental health problem when ____________________ To get help for a mental health problem, one can ____________________ What should you do if someone you know is showing signs of suicide?