Mental Health Disorders

Mental Health Disorders

Clinical Depression-What is it? • Mood disorder • feelings of loss, sadness, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life • Effects a person for weeks or longer http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

CD-What causes it? • Exact cause is not known • Some believe it is caused by chemical changes in the brain • Others believe it is a problem due to your genes • Some others believe it is a combination • Anyone can develop depression http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

May play a role in depression • Alcohol or drug abuse • Certain medical conditions, including underactive thyroid, cancer, or long-term pain • Certain medications such as steroids • Sleeping problems • Stressful life events, such as: • Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend • Failing a class • Death or illness of someone close to you • Divorce • Childhood abuse or neglect • Job loss • Social isolation (common in the elderly) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

CD-How does it affect a person? • May change the way you see yourself, your life, and those around you. • Tend to be more negative • Can appear as anger and discouragement, rather than sadness • If severe, psychotic symptoms may occur like delusions and hallucinations http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

CD-Symptoms • Agitation, restlessness, and irritability • Becoming withdrawn or isolated • Difficulty concentrating • Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss • Fatigue and lack of energy • Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness • Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed • Thoughts of death or suicide • Trouble sleeping or too much sleeping http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

CD-How is it diagnosed? • Doctor will ask questions about your medical history and symptoms • This will help the doc diagnose and determine severity • Blood and urine tests may be done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

CD-How is it treated? • Medications called anti-depressants • Talk therapy called psychotherapy **Mild depression may only need one of these treatments **more severe depression usually needs combo of both treatments **people who are suicidal or extremely depressed may need to be treated in a psychiatric hospital http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

CD-Can it be prevented? • While there’s not a way to truly prevent it, there are things that can be done to help you feel better • Don’t use alcohol or use illegal drugs • Take your medication as instructed • Get more exercise • Maintain good sleep habits • Volunteer or get involved in group activities • Surround yourself with people who care about you and are positive • Participate in activities that you enjoy http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000945.htm

Post-Partum Depression • Treatable medical illness • Characterized by sadness, exhaustion, indifference and anxiety following the birth of a person’s child • Effects 1 in every 10 women http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_depression_postpartum&gclid=CNLHz7rd47YCFWQl4godVHIA3g

PPD-What are the causes? • Exact cause is not known • Linked to chemical changes that take place in your body during and after pregnancy http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_depression_postpartum&gclid=CNLHz7rd47YCFWQl4godVHIA3g

PPD-Symptoms • Feelings of sadness or "down"-ness that don't go away • Inability to sleep, even when the baby is sleeping • Changes in appetite-eating much more or much less • Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety • Inability to concentrate or make decisions • Inability to enjoy things you used to; lack of interest in the baby; lack of interest in friends and family • Exhaustion; feeling "heavy" • Uncontrollable crying • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness • Feelings of hopelessness or despair • Fear of being a "bad" mother, or that others will think you are • Fear that harm will come to the baby • Thoughts of harming the baby or harming yourself • Thoughts of death or suicide http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_depression_postpartum&gclid=CNLHz7rd47YCFWQl4godVHIA3g

Risk Factors of PPD • History of depression during or after previous pregnancies • History of depression or bipolar disorder at any time • History of depression, bipolar disorder or postpartum depression in blood relatives • Poor social support • Unpleasant life events happening around the time of the pregnancy or birth • Instability in your marriage or relationship • Feeling unsure about your pregnancy http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_depression_postpartum&gclid=CNLHz7rd47YCFWQl4godVHIA3g

PPD Treatments • Talk with doc about symptoms and any medications or natural remedies being used • Consider taking meds-will need to look at medications that are least likely to pass into breast milk if nursing • Psychotherapy or support groups • Eat balanced meals • Light exercise • Allow family and friends to help you • Look into stress reduction techniques http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_depression_postpartum&gclid=CNLHz7rd47YCFWQl4godVHIA3g

Manic Depression • Aka Bipolar Disorder • Classified as a mood disorder that goes beyond the day’s ordinary ups and downs. • Characterized by periodic episodes of extreme elation, elevated mood, or irritability then countered with periodic classic depressive symptoms • Extreme highs followed by extreme lows http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-who is affected? • Affects more than 5.7 million American adults • 2.6% Americans 18 and older • Affects men and women equally • Women tend to show more depressive symptoms than manic symptoms. • Likely to run in families • Still researching to identify a specific gene that is responsible for manic depression. http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-depressive symptoms • persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood • loss of interest in activities once previously enjoyed • excessive crying • increased restlessness and irritability • decreased ability to concentrate and make decisions • decreased energy • thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts • increased feelings of guilt, helplessness, and/or hopelessness • weight and/or appetite changes due to over- or under-eating • changes in sleep patterns • social withdrawal • physical symptoms unrealized by standard treatment (i.e., chronic pain, headaches) http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-manic symptoms • overly inflated self-esteem • decreased need for rest and sleep • increased distractibility and irritability • increased physical agitation • excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that may result in painful consequence; this may include provocative, aggressive, or destructive behavior • increased talkativeness • excessive "high" or euphoric feelings • increased sex drive • increased energy level • uncharacteristically poor judgment • increased denial http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-diagnosis • Individual must exhibit both depressive and manic symptoms to a varying degree. • Sometimes hard to diagnose because the manic symptoms tend to resemble other psychiatric conditions. • Diagnosis is made after careful psychiatric examination and medical history performed by a mental health professional. http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-Treatment • Specific treatment based upon: • your age, overall health, and medical history • extent of the disease • your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies • expectations for the course of the disease • your opinion or preference http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-treatment • May include either or a combination of: • medication (i.e., mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants and/or antidepressants • psychotherapy • most often cognitive-behavioral and/or interpersonal therapy which focuses on changing the individual's distorted views of themselves and the environment around them, working through difficult relationships, and identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them • •electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Manic Depression-what’s important about the treatment… • Recognizing the varied and extreme mood swings is crucial to obtaining the most effective treatment for the person • Helps avoid the potentially harmful consequences of the manic behavior • Long term, preventative treatments are necessary to stabilize the mood swings associated with the disorder. http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/mental_health/mental_health_about/mood/bipolar_disorder/Pages/index.aspx

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) • Kind of depression that occurs at a certain time of the year, usually in the winter • Usually affects people who live in areas with long winter nights • Affects more women than men http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002499/

SAD-symptoms • Sad, anxious or "empty" feelings • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness • Irritability, restlessness • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy • Fatigue and decreased energy • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping • Changes in weight • Thoughts of death or suicide http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html

SAD-treatments • antidepressants • Some take medication only during the time effected and others elect to take medication all year • Light therapy-regular, daily exposure to a “light box”, which artificially simulates high-intensity sunlight. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=23051

Phobias • Type of anxiety disorder • It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger • There are numerous and specific phobias • Usually start in children and teens • Causes are unknown, but some tend to run in families • Phobia List http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/phobias.html

Phobias-symptoms • People try to avoid their fear • If they can’t, they might experience: • Panic and fear • Rapid heartbeat • Shortness of breath • Trembling • A strong desire to get away http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/phobias.html

Phobias-treatment • Helps most people with phobias • Treatments include medicines, therapy, or both • Self help strategies have also been effective http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/phobias.html

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder • Feel the need to check things repeatedly, or have certain thoughts, or perform routines over and over • Thoughts and rituals cause distress and get in the way of daily life • Frequent upsetting thoughts = obsessions • In order to control obsessions, people with OCD feel the overwhelming urge to repeat certain rituals or behaviors = compulsions • Tends to start in childhood or teenage years http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/what-is-ocd.shtml

OCD-signs and symptoms • Have repeated thoughts or images about many different things, such as fear of germs, dirt, or intruders; acts of violence; hurting loved ones; sexual acts; conflicts with religious beliefs; or being overly tidy • Do the same rituals over and over such as washing hands, locking and unlocking doors, counting, keeping unneeded items, or repeating the same steps again and again • Can't control the unwanted thoughts and behaviors • Don't get pleasure when performing the behaviors or rituals, but get brief relief from the anxiety the thoughts cause • Spend at least 1 hour a day on the thoughts and rituals, which cause distress and get in the way of daily life. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-ocd.shtml

OCD-causes • Sometimes runs in families • No concrete reason why it occurs http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/what-causes-ocd.shtml

OCD-treatments • Doctor should do an exam to make sure that another physical problem isn’t causing the symptoms • Generally treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/how-is-ocd-treated.shtml

OCD-Psychotherapy • Cognitive behavioral therapy-a type of psychotherapy • Especially useful in treating OCD • Teaches a person different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to help them feel less anxious or fearful • Decreases obsessive thoughts or acting compulsively http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/how-is-ocd-treated.shtml

OCD-medications • Most commonly prescribed are anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants • Anti-anxiety medications tend to start working faster but should not be taken for long periods of time • Antidepressants take longer to work but seem to be more effective • Side effects can occur http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/how-is-ocd-treated.shtml

OCD-What is it like? • "I couldn't do anything without rituals. They invaded every aspect of my life. Counting really bogged me down. I would wash my hair three times as opposed to once because three was a good luck number and one wasn't. It took me longer to read because I'd count the lines in a paragraph. When I set my alarm at night, I had to set it to a number that wouldn't add up to a 'bad' number." • "Getting dressed in the morning was tough, because I had a routine, and if I didn't follow the routine, I'd get anxious and would have to get dressed again. I always worried that if I didn't do something, my parents were going to die. I'd have these terrible thoughts of harming my parents. I knew that was completely irrational, but the thoughts triggered more anxiety and more senseless behavior. Because of the time I spent on rituals, I was unable to do a lot of things that were important to me." http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-when-unwanted-thoughts-take-over/what-is-it-like-having-ocd.shtml

Panic Disorder • Sudden and repeated attacks of fear that lasts several minutes • Sometimes the symptoms may last longer • Called panic attacks-characterized by fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger • Often begins in late teens or early adulthood • Effects more women than men http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/what-is-panic-disorder.shtml

Panic Disorder-symptoms • Sudden and repeated attacks of fear • A feeling of being out of control during a panic attack • An intense worry about when the next attack will happen • A fear or avoidance of places where panic attacks have occurred in the past • Physical symptoms during an attack, such as a pounding or racing heart, sweating, breathing problems, weakness or dizziness, feeling hot or a cold chill, tingly or numb hands, chest pain, or stomach pain. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-panic-disorder.shtml

Panic disorder-causes • Sometimes runs in families • No known cause • Researchers have found that several parts of the brain are responsible for fear and anxiety http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-panic-disorder.shtml

Panic disorder-diagnosis • Talk with a doctor about symptoms • An exam should be completed in order to make sure that another physical condition is not causing the symptoms • Generally treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/how-is-panic-disorder-treated.shtml

Panic Disorder-Psychotherapy • Cognitive behavioral therapy is very useful in treating PD • Helps person develop different ways of thinking, behaving, and reacting to situations • Helps reduce fear and become less anxious http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/how-is-panic-disorder-treated.shtml

Panic Disorder-Medications • Can be prescribed anti-anxiety meds or antidepressants • Anti-anxiety med begin working quickly but should not be taken for extended periods of time • Antidepressants take longer to work but can be given in lower dosages • Beta-blockers can help control physical symptoms of panic attacks • Not normally prescribed but can help in situations that tend to bring on panic attacks http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms/how-is-panic-disorder-treated.shtml

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous event • In stressful situations, your body goes through a series of physiological changes that lead to a “fight or flight” response. • With PTSD, this reaction is changed or damaged • People feel stressed or frightened even when they are no longer in danger http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-is-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-or-ptsd.shtml

PTSD-who gets it? • Anyone at any age • Common in war veterans and survivors of physical or sexual assault, abuse, accidents, disasters, or other serious events • Some can get it after a friend or family member experiences danger or is harmed • Sudden, unexpected death of a loved one can also cause PTSD http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/who-gets-ptsd.shtml

PTSD-symptoms • Can cause many symptoms • Grouped into 3 categories • Re-experiencing • Avoidance • Hyperarousal http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd.shtml

PTSD: Re-experiencing symptoms • Flashbacks—reliving the trauma over and over, including physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweating • Bad dreams • Frightening thoughts. **may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. **can start from the person’s own thoughts and feelings. **Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd.shtml

PTSD-Avoidance symptoms • Staying away from places, events, or objects that are reminders of the experience • Feeling emotionally numb • Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry • Losing interest in activities that were enjoyable in the past • Having trouble remembering the dangerous event. • Things that remind a person of the traumatic event can trigger avoidance symptoms. These symptoms may cause a person to change his or her personal routine. For example, after a bad car accident, a person who usually drives may avoid driving or riding in a car. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd.shtml

PTSD-Hyperarousal symptoms • Being easily startled • Feeling tense or “on edge” • Having difficulty sleeping, and/or having angry outbursts. **usually constant, instead of being triggered by things that remind one of the traumatic event. **can make the person feel stressed and angry. ** symptoms may make it hard to do daily tasks, such as sleeping, eating, or concentrating. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd.shtml

PTSD-symptoms • Natural to have any of these symptoms after a dangerous event • Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)-when a person has serious symptoms that go away after a few weeks • If symptoms last longer than a few weeks or become an ongoing problem, then it could be PTSD • Some people with PTSD do not show symptoms for weeks or months after the event http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/what-are-the-symptoms-of-ptsd.shtml

PTSD-adults vs children • Reactions may differ by age • Symptoms in young children may include: • Bedwetting, when they’d learned how to use the toilet before • Forgetting how or being unable to talk • Acting out the scary event during playtime • Being unusually clingy with a parent or other adult • Symptoms in older children and teens tend to resemble adult symptoms http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/do-children-react-differently-than-adults.shtml

PTSD-diagnosis • Mental health professional can diagnose PTSD • To be diagnosed with PTSD, a person must have all of the following for at least 1 month: • At least one re-experiencing symptom • At least three avoidance symptoms • At least two hyperarousal symptoms • Symptoms that make it hard to go about daily life, go to school or work, be with friends, and take care of important tasks. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/how-is-ptsd-detected.shtml

Mental Health Disorders