Causes and Treatments

An illness that affects the mind and reduces a person’s ability to: -function -adjust to change -get along with others Behaviors, feelings, or thoughts are highly unusual and not appropriate to a situation, are considered abnormal

Can be a single cause, but typically it’s a combination of factors Physical Factors Damage to the brain Growth, or tumor Injury Infection Exposure to poison Prolonged use of alcohol/drugs Heredity Inherit a tendency Greater risk, not a guarantee Early Experiences Extremely negative Abuse or neglect Traumatic experience Recent Experiences More likely than early Death of a loved one Traumatic experience

More than 50 million Americans experience the symptoms of a mental disorder Majority of these people do NOT seek help. Why???

Don’t recognize the signs of a mental disorder Been told that with “willpower”, they can overcome it Afraid to ask Fear of being labeled Don’t know where to go for help

Step 1: recognizing the need for help. Do not ignore the warning signs Do not rely too much on your own diagnosis Seek medical attention Share your problems with an adult that you trust. Parent, guardian, teacher, counselor, doctor, religious leader

Riverside County Department of Mental Health mh.org/ mh.org/ Check your local phone book in the front pages Google “mental health near Hemet” Call your doctor Speak with the school nurse or counselor

Trained to recognize and treat mental disorders Psychiatrists A physician Attended medical school-advanced training in treatment of mental disorders Prescribe medications Refer to a neurologist if symptoms have a physical cause Clinical Psychologists Doctoral degree in Psychology At least 2 years training in clinics or hospitals Work together with psychiatrists to diagnose disorder

Social Workers Listen and advise people Link between people and community resources People and families accept and adjust to an illness Mental Health Counselors Focus on specific problems or groups of people Substance abuse counselors School counselors Youth counselors

Psychotherapy- a person talks with a therapist 3 types of psychotherapy Insight therapy-understand the reasons for behavior with intent to change the behavior Cognitive and Behavioral therapy- identify situations, objects, or thoughts that trigger abnormal behaviors so to learn new ways to behave Group therapy- meet other people with similar disorders and develop coping skills

Drug therapy- prescribe drugs to treat disorder Relieve symptoms Help function normally Used in conjunction with psychotherapy Hospitalization-short/long term care Constant attention Danger of harming themselves or others