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Introduction to Mental Disorders

Introduction to Mental Disorders. Myth or Reality. Are the following statements myths or realities regarding mental disorders? 1. Mental disorders are uncommon amongst teenagers? MYTH!!! 2. Many teenagers will experience depression at some point in their life. REALITY!. Myth or Reality.

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Introduction to Mental Disorders

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  1. Introduction to Mental Disorders

  2. Myth or Reality • Are the following statements myths or realities regarding mental disorders? • 1. Mental disorders are uncommon amongst teenagers? • MYTH!!! • 2. Many teenagers will experience depression at some point in their life. • REALITY!

  3. Myth or Reality 3. People who have a mental illness are just "crazy.“ • Myth! Just like cancer is a real medical condition, mental disorders are real and can be severe! 4. People with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, are usually dangerous and violent. • Myth: The incidence of violence in people who have a mental disorder is not much higher than it is in the general population. Those suffering from schizophrenia are more often frightened or confused than violent.

  4. Myth or Reality 5. Depression results from a personality weakness or character flaw. People who are depressed could just snap out of it if they tried hard enough. • Myth: Depression has nothing to do with being lazy or weak. It results from changes in brain chemistry or brain function, and medication and/or therapy often help people to recover

  5. Myth or Reality 6. If you have a mental illness, you can will or wish it away. Being treated for a psychiatric disorder means an individual has in some way "failed" or is weak • Myth: A serious mental illness cannot be willed or wished away. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away, either. It takes courage to seek professional help.

  6. What is it? • Mental Disorder: illness that affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors • If someone has a mental disorder, it does not mean they are crazy or weak. A person with a mental disorder didn’t CAUSEit, but can definitely do something about it. • The best thing wecan do is understand, not judge.

  7. Common Mental Disorders • Depression: prolonged sadness and hopelessness for long period of time, can’t shake the feeling or might lose desire to take part in daily activities • Bi-Polar Disorder: uncontrollable cycles of extreme highs and lows • Schizophrenia: False perceptions of reality, hallucinations, or delusions: uncontrollable

  8. Common Mental Disorders • Anxiety Disorders: range from feelings of uneasiness to immobilizing bouts of terror. Includes OCD, panic disorder, and phobias. • OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder = repeated, unwanted, disturbing thoughts. Can include ritualized behaviors. • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Triggered by memories of traumatic experience such as wartime or abuse

  9. Consider help • When do I know I need help? Shouldn’t I deal with it on my own? • There is no timeframe to deal with mental disorders on your own. If you had a sickness, you would go to a doctor. • If you feel like depression or other mental issues are interfering with your normal self, perhaps it’s time to seek help

  10. Types of Help • Therapy: Ranges from group, family, to individual includes psychological help to deal with stress or problems. Topics discussed range for each person, but include: help overcoming difficult times, make changes, and venting frustrations • Medication: Depending on the disorder, drugs can be effective for those with a condition if taken appropriately. Ritalin, for example, can have severe negative effects for people taking who do not have ADHD

  11. Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist • The difference between a psychiatristand a psychologistis: • A psychiatrist can prescribe medicationwhile a psychologist cannot • However, both have been trained extensively on helping others with mental, emotional, sexual, and behavioral issues • If you decide therapy is for you, don’t settle. Choose someone you trust!

  12. Where to call for help? • If you’re in a crisis and need help immediately, call 9-1-1. • If you just need someone to talk to confidentially, you can call: • Crisis Support of Alameda County: 1-800-309-2131 • Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE • Help Hotline: 1-800-448-3000

  13. Places that can help • Kaiser Permanente- Psychology/Psychiatry • http://www.kp.org • Kaiser Permanente: Teen Center • 510-248-3600 (confidential) • Washington Hospital • http://www.wwhs.com/ • Tri-City Health Center (low and no cost services): http://www.tri-cityhealth.org

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