Chapter 3 Elizabeth Lytle, MPH, BSN, RN Los Altos School District Caring for Your Mind

In This Chapter, You Will Learn To: LIST Key structures of the brain Depression symptoms and treatment Suicide symptoms and prevention DESCRIBE Neurons and their role in the brain Difference between mental health and mental illness Options for yourself in case of mental illness

Three Important Structures Of The Brain Cerebrum Brain Stem Cerebellum

Brain Messages Are Sent Through Neurons Neurons are nerve cells composed of: Cell BodyContains nucleus AxonLong fiber that carries electrical signal Axon Terminal Where the axon ends and its signal is transferred to the dendrite of a different neuron Dendrite Shorter fiber that receives signal from the axon terminal

Neurons Communicate With Each Other WHERE At Synapses: Area between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron HOW Through Neurotransmitters: Packets of chemicals released from the axon terminal of the neuron sending the signal

Brain Messaging: Anatomy of a Neuron

The Many Factors of Mental Health

Definitions of Mental Illness "A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning. Mental disorders are usually associated with significant distress in social, occupational, or other important activities. An expectable or culturally approved response to a common stressor or loss, such as the death of a loved one, is not a mental disorder. Socially deviant behavior (e.g., political, religious, or sexual) and conflicts that are primarily between the individual and society are not mental disorders unless the deviance or conflict results from a dysfunction in the individual, as described above.” - DSM 5

Almost half of all Americans will experience a diagnosable mental disorder in their lifetime

Most Common Mental Disorders Mood Disorders Depression Biploar Disorder Anxiety Disorders Phobias Panic Disorders Substance Abuse Drugs and alcohol

Mental Health Risks Vary With Gender Mental DisorderHigh Risk Group Depression Women & Girls Anxiety Migraines Alzheimer’s Substance Abuse Men Alcohol Abuse

Mental and Physical Health Are Linked Positive Mental Attitude decreases risk of disease Mental Illness increases risk for many diseases Complex relationships between mental and physical health have been found  Heart Disease and Depression  Diabetes and Depression  Bone Density and Depression

Effects Of Depression May Include: Fewer or Extreme Feelings  Depressed  Helpless or hopeless  Restless or slow  No interest in pleasurable activities  Physical symptoms Alterations In Thinking  Difficulty concentrating or thinking critically  Persistent thoughts of death New Actions  Withdrawal from others  Eating more or less

Minimize These Contributors To Depression STRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE SLEEP LOSS

Depression Has Inequitable Impact Groups More Likely to Experience Major Depression Women Racial and Ethnic Minorities Those Without a High School Education Divorced or Never Married Jobless Those Without Health Insurance

Men Experience Depression Differently Depression Symptoms of Men Irritability Tremendous fatigue Headaches and pain Insomnia Self-medication with alcohol or drugs Men may not become ‘sad’ and are more likely than women to take their own life

Depression Treatment Is Individualized Psychotherapy  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Interpersonal Therapy Antidepressant Medication Electroconvolusive or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy Exercise Behavior Change

Antidepressants Have Risks For Young More than 20 years old  Less likely to commit suicide after beginning treatment Less than 20 years old  May be at higher risk of suicide shortly after beginning treatment  Side effects of aggression or hostility

Bipolar Disorder Defined Manic states of feeling euphoric and energetic to depressive states of utter despair Who is affected  50% have family member with bipolar  More women than men affected Symptoms  Mood swings  Changes in thinking and behavior  Changes in physical condition Treatment  Medication  Professional therapy is essential

Phobias – Anxiety Disorders Defined Out-of-the-ordinary, irrational, intense, persistent fears of certain objects or situations Treatment  Behavioral therapy for systematic exposure to feared object  Medical hypnosis

Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder Panic Attack  Rapid heart rate, light-headed, hyperventilation, numb fingers or toes  Terrible sense that something horrible is about to happen Panic Disorder  When panic attacks recur OR  Apprehension of panic attack impairs normal function Treatment  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Medication

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsession Recurring idea, thought or image Compulsion Repetitive behavior performed according to certain rules Other Features Cannot resist or control thoughts or behavior Behaviors consume time and impact normal function Treatment  Cognitive Therapy  Behavioral Techniques  Medication

Autism Spectrum Disorders Features Repetitive patterns of thoughts and behavior No verbal communication before age 3 Four times more likely to occur in boys than girls Treatment  Behavior therapy  Speech-language therapy  Physical therapy  School-based educational programs

Schizophrenia Features Affects every aspect of psychological functioning  Hallucinations and delusions  Inability to think in logical manner  Showing few, if any emotions Treatment  Antipsychotic medication Causes  Failure in brain development very early in life  Heredity

Two-thirds of college students who killed themselves experienced depressive symptoms at the time of their death

Suicide Is Increasing in the United States Risk of Suicide

Are You At Risk For Suicide? Factors that Lead to Suicide  Impulsivity  High level of arousal and aggression  Past suicidal behaviors  Hopelessness Factors that Protect from Suicide  Feeling connected to family and parents  Girls - Emotional well-being  Boys - Grade-point average

Recognize When Friends Need Help Express your concern and use guidelines below Ask concerned questions Suggest solutions or alternatives to problems Ask if they have contemplated suicide Know that people who talk about killing themselves may carry it out Watch for changes in behavior Avoid trite reassurances

5 Things To Do If Considering Suicide 1.Talk to a mental health professional 2.Talk to someone you trust 3.Write down positive thoughts 4.Avoid drugs and alcohol 5.Go to the hospital

Help For Mental Disorders Is Available Therapy Many types of therapists Many types of therapy Medication Work closely with health professional to choose medication Alternative Activities Can combine therapy and medication with other treatments to enhance results (yoga, meditation)