What is a mental disorder? Someone with a mental disorder may not feel good about themselves or may have a difficult time developing intimate relationships. A mental disorder is an illness that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors. They may have difficulty dealing with everyday activities

What causes Mental Disorders? Many believe the some mental disorders such as phobias develop from traumatic or stressful situations such as a death, an accident or an abusive event. Other disorders can be inherited. Other disorders can result from an injury or a physical disorder that effects the brain.

common symptoms of mental disorders: Too much or too little sleep Feeling of extreme sadness Unexplained mood changes Drug or alcohol abuse Inability to concentrate Extreme anxiety or irrational fear Personality changes False perceptions of reality

Intellectual disability, is a term used when there are limits to a person’s ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life. Levels of intellectual disability vary greatly in children – from a very slight problem to a very severe problem. I NTELLECTUAL D ISABILITY

What is the difference between being sad and depression? Everyone feels sad or down at times, however if it keeps you from carrying out everyday activities it is considered depression.

Lack of energy Withdrawal from people Loss of appetite or overeating Too much or too little sleep Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness

The most commonly diagnosed childhood disorder is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) What are some of the behaviors that go along with being ADHD? Inattentive or impulsively hyperactive to the point of having trouble accomplishing daily activities. They may have trouble doing school work, difficult in following directions and may be easily distracted.

What are Anxiety Disorders? If anxiety gets in the way of taking part in daily activities, or it occurs frequently, or if it causes terror then it may be a disorder.

The person may feel extreme fear for his or her life even though there is not any danger. Panic Disorder

excessive or persistent fear of something that may or may not cause real danger. Phobias

Do you know what the following Phobias are the fear of? Brontophobia Triskaidekaphobia Arachibutyrophobia Anthropophobia Phobophobia Thunder and Lightning #13 Peanut Butter sticking to the roof of your mouth People Phobias

Disorder triggered by uncomfortable thoughts called obsessions and by repetitive behaviors called compulsions. Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder

F ETAL A LCOHOL S PECTRUM D ISORDERS (FASD) FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the combination of birth defects and behavioral challenges in children whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is the leading cause of preventable intellectual disabilities. FASD is permanent, life-long, and cannot be cured.

W HAT DOES FASD LOOK LIKE ? FASD is a brain-based physical disability, you can’t physically see the brain damage. You can only “see” the results in the behavior of the individual. Examples: Trouble in school such as bad behavior and performance, Trouble with the law, unable to maintain healthy social relationships, drug and alcohol abuse.

W HAT DOES FASD LOOK LIKE ? Difficulty with assessment, judgment, impulse control, and reasoning. (They may know the rules, but they are unable to use them to govern their behavior.) Misunderstanding of cause and effect.

W HAT DOES FASD LOOK LIKE ? Inability to generalize (They may understand that they’re not to run into the street in front of their house, but can’t apply that lesson instinctively to other streets.)

W HAT DOES FASD LOOK LIKE ? Trouble focusing, hyperactivity, poor memory, emotional immaturity, social skill deficits, learning disabilities, cannot learn from mistakes, not aware of personal safety hazards.

Can Mental Disorders be cured? Many disorders are treatable and some can be cured with the help of psychotherapy, group therapy or even medication. 19