1. Module C: Lesson 4

2.  Anxiety disorders affect 12% of the population.  Many do not seek treatment because:  Consider the symptoms mild or normal.  Symptoms interfere with help-seeking  NO weakness associated with seeking help if one is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed.

3.  This is a fear or worry causing a person to avoid situations that might precipitate the anxiety or to develop compulsive rituals.  Most of us experience anxiety or feel anxious every day.  Concern for lack of control over circumstances.  May generate a solution but usually results in negative thinking.  May be an illness  Comes out of nowhere, is excessive, persists for many weeks without relief or interferes with everyday life.

4.  Shortness of breath  Feelings of unreality  Shakiness  Irritability  Muscle aches and tension  Insomnia  Tight chest  Restlessness  Racing heart  Sweating and nausea  Choking sensations  Abdominal distress  Numbness or tingling  Feel short-tempered and apprehensive, fearing that bad things are about to happen.  Can cause significant personal and societal costs.  Lost Wages  Decreased productivity  Reduced quality of life  Frequent use of health care services.

5.  GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)  Specific Phobia  Post Traumatic Stress  Social Phobia  Obsessive Compulsive  Panic Disorder

6. TypeCanada (15-64 years) % of Anxiety Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder1.1 Specific Phobia6.2 – 8.0 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder--- Social Phobia6.7 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder1.8 Panic Disorder0.7

7.  No single explanation for the cause of anxiety disorders  Inherited tendency  Stressful experiences  Shy temperament  Anxious parents  Unpredictable lifestyle

8.  Depression is a mental disorder that affects a person’s:  Thoughts, moods, feelings, behaviour and physical health.  Many thought it was just in ones head Misconceptions of “you can snap out of it”, or “just get over it”, would cure someone.  It is a medical disorder with a biological and chemical basis  Genetics or family interaction styles  Stressful life event  Spontaneously with no specific identifiable cause  May occur only once, sporadically or chronically

9.  Two main symptoms:  Lack of interest in normal day living  Feeling in the dumps showing feelings of sadness + helplessness.  Different age groups may react differently to depression.  Other signs and symptoms lasting two weeks or more are:  Changes in sleep patterns, concentration, weight or eating patterns, demeanour, self- esteem, and desire to live, gastrointestinal problems, headache and backache

10.  Major Depression  The feeling of sad, blue, unhappy, miserable or down in the dumps.  Dysthymia  Chronic type of depression.  Adjustment disorder  Emotional and behavioural reaction that develops within 3 months of a life stress.  Bipolar Disorder  Condition in which people go back and forth between periods of a very good or irritable mood and depression.  The mood swings between mania and depression are very quick.  Seasonal Affective Disorder  Episodes of depression that occur during certain times of the year.

11. Signs and Symptoms of Mental Issues Disorder: Looks Like:Feels Like:

12.  Online you will choose a self assessment test in one of the following categories.  Anxiety Test Anxiety Test  Coping Skills Test Coping Skills Test  Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test  Optimism/Pessimism Test Optimism/Pessimism Test  Resilience Test Resilience Test  Self-Esteem Test Self-Esteem Test  Social Anxiety Test Social Anxiety Test  Once you have chosen an assessment test, in your journal, write down the test name and your results. What does it tell you?

13.  This learning activity will enable you to become more acquainted with various mental health issues and some of their signs and symptoms.  Procedure: On your own read each scenario and predict the disability. You will have 10 minutes to figure out which mental health issue your scenario describes. You will also respond to three questions.

14.  From what mental health issue to do think the person described in the scenario is suffering? Provide reasons for your decision (signs, symptoms, and causes)  What advice and assistance would you offer the person in the scenario? Explain  Which health care professionals would best be able to help the person? Give reasons

15.  Control your feelings through healthy lifestyle practices can help prevent anxiety.  Deep breathing, relaxation, guided imagery or visualization, yoga, meditation, and calming self talk  Physical exercise Not a cure but its psychological and physical benefits can improve the symptoms

16.  Exercises as the Best Preventative Medicine  Research the benefits of exercise and physical activity for mental-emotional health and present findings in different ways. E.g.  B – Take deep breaths  E – Exercise  A – Attitude  C – Confidence  T – Time  I – Inactive  V – Vigorous  E - Endorphin