1. Understanding Mental Illness
“We are going to look particularly at illnesses associated more with teenagers. What type of mental disorders have you heard of?”
TEKS: HE.1D, HE.1H
12/2/2018

2. What is a mental health disorder?
A mental health disorder is a diagnosable illness that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
may have a difficult time developing intimate relationships.
He/she may have difficulty
dealing with everyday activities.
Define mental disorder and discuss some of the characteristics associated with mental disorders.
The disorder may be mild, moderate or severe.
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3. Mental Health Disorders?
What causes
Mental Health Disorders?
The following are “factors” that may put someone at risk for developing a mental health disorder.
Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)
Exposure to traumatic event(s)
Inherited (family history, genetics)
Brain injury
Side effects of medication
Substance use and sensitivity
Chemical imbalance
Discuss the different things that could cause mental disorders. It is important to let students know that many people function normally with mental disorders. They do not all affect us to the point of not being able to live our lives normally.
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4. What type of things could help prevent some mental health issues?
“protective factors”
What type of things could help prevent some mental health issues?
Healthy practices (i.e. nutrition, exercise, sleep)
Support system (i.e. family, friends, a sense of community)
Problem-solving skills
Personal goals, interests, and hobbies
Self-esteem, confidence
Avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
Discuss the mental health protective factors
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5. Common Mental Health Disorders
ADD/ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
Anxiety Disorders
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)
Phobias
Bipolar Disorder - formerly called manic depression, a mental illness that brings severe high and low moods and changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior
Discuss the different mental health disorders.
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6. Mental Health Disorders cont.
Depression - a serious medical condition in which a person often feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant
Eating Disorders - a group of serious conditions in which you're so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else
Psychosis - unable to distinguish personal subjective experience from the reality of the external world
Substance Use Disorders – the overuse of, or dependence on, a drug leading to effects that are detrimental to one’s physical and mental health
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7. Phobias are excessive or persistent fears of something that may or
may not cause real danger.
“A phobia is an excessive or persistent fear of something that may or may not cause real danger.”
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8. 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
Discuss the phobias listed and ask the kids if they know any others.
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9. of mental health disorders
common symptoms
of mental health disorders
Symptoms that someone may be developing or have a mental health disorder, include physical, emotional, mental and behavioral changes that are not considered part of typical development.
Too much or too little sleep
Feelings of extreme sadness
Unexplained mood changes
Drug or alcohol abuse
Inability to concentrate
Extreme anxiety or irrational fear
Personality changes
False perceptions of reality
“Common symptoms include physical, emotional, mental, and behavioral abnormal changes. Some examples would be too much or too little sleep, feelings of extreme sadness, unexplained mood changes, personality changes, or drug or alcohol abuse.”
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10. sadness and depression?
What is the difference
between
sadness and depression?
Everyone feels sad or down at
times, however, if it keeps
you from
carrying out everyday
activities over a period of time, it is considered depression.
Explain that everyone will feel sad at times, however if it keeps you from carrying out everyday activities, it can be considered depression.
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11. Symptoms of Depression
Lack of energy
Withdrawal from people; isolation
Loss of interest in activities
Loss of appetite or overeating
Too much or too little sleep
Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness
“Symptoms include lack of energy, withdrawal from people or isolation, loss of interest in activities, loss of appetite or overeating, too much or too little sleep, feeling helpless or hopeless.”
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12. Teen Depression
Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults.
Teen depression affects 1 in 20 teens.
Peer pressure, academic expectations, and changing bodies can bring a lot of ups and downs, but for some teens, the lows are more than just temporary feelings.
“Although depression can occur at any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults. The following symptoms are most common in teen depression: irritability or angry mood swings, unexplained aches and pains with no medical explanation, extreme sensitivity to criticism, and withdrawing from some but not all people. Teen depression has become a major factor in our society and statistics show that teen depression affects 1 in 20 and can lead to drug/alcohol abuse, self-mutilation, violence, and suicide.
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13. The following symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than in adults:
Irritability or angry mood – Irritability, rather than sadness, can cause a depressed teenager to be grumpy, hostile, or easily frustrated.
Unexplained aches and pains – They constantly complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomach aches with no medical explanation.
Extreme sensitivity to criticism – Depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure.
Withdrawal from some, but not all people – They may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd.
Note that symptoms of depression or other mental health disorders should be different from “typical adolescent development”, which often causes some teens to withdraw from family, wanting to spend more time with friends; increased need for sleep and changes in appetite; hormonal changes may result in physical aches/ pains, etc. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about might be depressed, find a counselor to speak to about what you are experiencing. While it could be diagnosed as depression, it could also simply be a developmental transition in life.
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14. Teen Depression
Teen depression may lead to higher risk-taking behaviors, such as:
drug and alcohol abuse
self-harm (i.e. “cutting”)
unprotected sex, leading to STIs/STDs, and/ or pregnancy
violence
suicide attempt or completion
criminal activity
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15. What are Anxiety Disorders?
A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities
“Anxiety disorder is the umbrella term for panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and phobias. If anxiety gets in the way of taking part in daily activities, it occurs frequently, or it causes terror, then it may be a disorder.”
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16. Ways to prepare include: Exercise regularly Eat healthy
Admitting that a situation is stressful and being prepared to deal with it can reduce your anxiety.
Ways to prepare include:
Exercise regularly
Eat healthy
Avoid excess caffeine intake which can increase feelings of anxiety
Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco
Learn relaxation techniques and exercises
Stay organized
Find someone you can talk to
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17. What help is available for people coping with mental health disorders?
Mental illness is treatable and may be cured with the help of counseling (individual, family, group), and medication, if needed.
By having a support system, participating in therapy, taking medication as directed, and making healthy choices, a person has the best chance in dealing with their mental health needs.
“Many disorders are treatable and some can be cured with the help of psychotherapy, group therapy or even medication if needed.
NOTE: Medication is not always needed, nor prescribed. The need for medication should be determined by a doctor or psychiatrist following a mental health evaluation of the patient.
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18. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or any other mental illness, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at TALK
Encourage students to add number(s) into their phones.
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