Chapter 5 What are Mental Disorders Mental Disorders

Chapter 5 What are Mental Disorders?

Mental Disorders o o o Illness of the mind that can affect thinking, feeling, behaviors and disrupt normal life In the past, mental disorders were misunderstood Mental disorders are imbalances in the chemistry of the brain

Types of Disorders o Organic disorder – caused by physical illness or an injury n o Examples – syphilis, meningitis, lupus, brain tumors, alcoholism, and stroke Functional disorder – caused by psychological disorders such as stress, emotional conflict, fear, or poor coping skills

Anxiety Disorders o o Illness in which real, imagined, or persistent fears prevent a person from enjoying life Types of anxiety disorders – phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic disorders, and post traumatic stress disorders

Phobia o o Specific fear that is so strong a person goes to extreme measures to avoid it Prevents people from carrying out daily activities

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder o o o Pattern of repeated behaviors or thoughts Obsessions – persistent, recurring, unwanted thoughts Compulsions – urgent , repeated, irresistible behaviors

Panic Disorders o o Condition in which fear or anxiety prevails and gets in the way of functioning and enjoying life Symptoms include trembling, racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or feel of losing control and dying

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder o o Condition caused by witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event that produces long lasting aftereffects Veterans, rape survivors, survivors of natural disasters

Somatoform Disorders o o Condition in which a person complains of disease symptoms, but no physical cause can be found Hypochondria – fear of presumed diseases that aren’t present

Affective Disorders o o o Mood disorder that involves mood swings or mood extremes - often inherited Clinical Depression – hopelessness or despair that lasts for more than a few weeks Bipolar Disorder – psychological illness characterized by severe mood swings between extreme depression or happiness

Personality Disorders q o Variety of psychological conditions that interfere with a person’s ability to get along with others Antisocial personality disorder – constant conflict with society. This person may display uncaring, cruel, and irresponsible behavior

Personality Disorders o o Passive Aggressive Disorder – people that are uncooperative and resent being told what to do, yet they rely on others direction Schizophrenia – split personality n Symptoms- inappropriate behavior, abnormal emotional responses, hallucinations, talk to themselves, hear voices, withdrawal, and lost sense of time

Lesson 2 – Suicide Prevention q q Teen Depression – results from new challenges and life changes that can overwhelm a person Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and sadness

Suicide Risk Factors o o o Over 50% of suicidal youths are considered depressed Substance abuse, violence, or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse Prior suicide attempts, firearms in the house, jail time, exposure to other suicide, family history of emotional disorder

Warning Signs o o Verbal Signs – “I wish I were dead”, “I want have to put up with this much longer”, “I want be a problem for you much longer” Nonverbal Signs – depression, lack of zest for life, withdrawal, poor grades, giving away possessions, increased risk taking, change in appearance, sudden upbeat mood, drug and alcohol abuse

Preventing Suicide o o o Take any potential suicide talk seriously Stress the temporary nature of the problem Make it clear that you want the persons pain to end, but not with suicide Ask the person if they have specific plans Suggest talking to a trusting adult or counselor Do not agree to keep it a secret

Kinds of Help o Psychiatrist – doctor who specializes in mental disorders and can prescribe medication n Psychotherapy – ongoing dialogue between doctor and patient in order to solve a problem Psychoanalysis – analysis of the patients past in order to get to the root of a problem Medical psychotherapy – use of medication to treat mental disorders

Kinds of Help o Neurologist – physician who specializes in organic disorders of the brain n The neurologist becomes involved in organic disorders to determine if surgery is required

Kinds of Help o o Clinical Psychologist – diagnoses and treats emotional and behavior disorders but cannot prescribe medication Counselors -