Anxiety and Depression Module C Lesson 3 Grade

Anxiety and Depression Module C: Lesson 3 Grade 11 Active, Healthy Lifestyles

A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada • Anxiety disorders affect 12% of the population • Many may not seek treatment for their anxiety • 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

Anxiety Disorders • Most of us experience anxiety or feel anxious every day • Concern over 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

Signs and Symptoms • • • • 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

Types • • • Generalized anxiety disorder Panic disorder Specific phobias Social anxiety disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder

Causes • No single explanation for the cause of anxiety disorders – Inherited tendency – Stressful experiences – Shy temperament – Anxious parents – Unpredictable lifestyle

Depression • Affects a person’s thoughts, moods, feelings, behaviour and physical health • Not a weakness and cannot treat on own • 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

Signs and Symptoms • Lack of interest in normal daily living • Feeling miserable or “down in the dumps” • Feelings of sadness and helplessness or may cry often • Other signs and symptoms lasting at least two weeks • Changes in sleep patterns, concentration, weight or eating patterns, demeanour, self-esteem, and desire to live, gastrointestinal problems, headache and backache • Different age groups may react differently

Types • • • Major depression Dysthymia Adjustment disorders Bipolar disorder Seasonal affective disorder

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues Disorder: Looks Like Feels Like

Self-Assessment of Mental Health • Choose a self-test you would like to try • Discuss results if desired • • Anxiety Test Coping Skills Test Eating Disorders and Emotional Eating Test Optimism/Pessimism Test Resilience Test Self-Esteem Test Social Anxiety Test

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues • Review the Mental Health Scenarios to become more acquainted with various mental health issues and some of their signs and symptoms

Prevention Strategies • Control your feelings through healthy lifestyle practices – Deep breathing, relaxation, guided imagery or visualization, yoga, meditation and calming selftalk – Physical exercise • Not a cure but its psychological and physical benefits can improve the symptoms

Exercise as the Best Preventive Medicine • Research the benefits of exercise and physical activity for mental-emotional health and present findings in different ways

Seeking Professional Help • Diagnosis of depression should be left to a health professional

Community Supports and Services • Research supports and services for mentalemotional health issues available in the local community or in the province Contact Agency Information Supports and Services Provided