Understanding Mental Illness: Myths and Facts

1. 5 MINUTES Warm Up • Write a definition/description of what you think a “mental illness” is. • List 3 examples of an illness that falls under your definition.

2. 5 MINUTES Mental Illness Survey Take the Survey!

3. Results Are In! Fact: Brain disorders, like heart disease and diabetes, are legitimate medical illnesses. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and they can be treated effectively. Myth #1

4. Results Are In! Fact: Statistics show that the incidence of violence in people who have a brain disorder is not much higher than it is in the general population. Those suffering from a psychosis such as schizophrenia are more often frightened, confused and despairing than violent. Myth #2

5. Results Are In! Fact: Most experts agree that a genetic susceptibility, combined with other risk factors, leads to a psychiatric disorder. In other words, mental illnesses have a physical cause. Myth #3

6. Results Are In! Fact: Depression has nothing to do with being lazy or weak. It results from changes in brain chemistry or brain function, and medication and/or psychotherapy often help people to recover. Myth #4

7. Results Are In! Fact: Schizophrenia is often confused with multiple personality disorder. Actually, schizophrenia is a brain disorder that robs people of their ability to think clearly and logically. Medication has helped many of these individuals to lead fulfilling, productive lives. Myth #5

8. Results Are In! Fact: It is not normal for older adults to be depressed. Signs of depression in older people include a loss of interest in activities, sleep disturbances and lethargy. Depression in the elderly is often undiagnosed, and it is important for seniors and their family members to recognize the problem and seek professional help. Myth #6

9. Results Are In! Fact: Children and adolescents can develop severe mental illnesses. Left untreated, these problems can get worse. Myth #7

10. Results Are In! Fact: A serious mental illness cannot be willed away. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away, either. It takes courage to seek professional help. Myth #8

11. Results Are In! Fact: Addiction is a disease that generally results from changes in brain chemistry. It has nothing to do with being a "bad" person. Myth #9

12. Results Are In! Fact: An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Myth #10

13. Did you know? • In the United States, one in ten children and adolescents has a mental disorder severe enough to cause impairment. • Only about 20 percent of these children receive needed treatment.

14. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Anxiety Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression) Conduct Disorder Depression Learning Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Physical/Sexual Abuse Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Psychosis Schizophrenia Suicide Tourette's Syndrome Common Mental Illnesses Affecting Kids and Adolescents

15. Warm Up • Describe what you guys have to do for the M.D. role play today that we discussed at the end of class yesterday. • If you were absent yesterday, write about why you weren’t at school 

16. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Anorexia Nervosa Bulimia Nervosa Anxiety Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depression) Conduct Disorder Depression Learning Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Physical/Sexual Abuse Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Psychosis Schizophrenia Suicide Tourette's Syndrome

17. Your DiagnosisTake notes on the handout for each mental illness discussed. Notes should include; What is the mental illness? Signs/symptoms

18. Alcohol/Drug Abuse • Use and ABUSE of drugs and alcohol by teens is very common and can have serious consequences. In the 15-24 year age range, 50% of deaths (from accidents, homicides, suicides) involve alcohol or drug abuse.

19. Warning signs of teenage drug or alcohol abuse may include: • drop in school performance • a change in groups of friends • delinquent behavior • deterioration in family relationships Physical Signs may include: • red eyes • persistent cough • change in eating and sleeping

20. Anorexia Nervosa • Refuses to maintain normal body weight • The weight loss is usually self-imposed • More common in females • Intense fear of gaining weight/becoming fat • Self evaluation is distorted • Denial of the potential health hazards caused by the low body weight.

21. Symptoms Physical symptoms can include: • absence of regular menstrual cycles • dry skin • low pulse rate • low blood pressure Behavioral changes commonly occur such as: • social withdrawal • irritability • Moodiness • depression

22. Bulimia Nervosa • Binge eating and purging. • Binges are characterized by eating large quantities of food in a discrete period of time. • Purging can be characterized by self-induced vomiting, laxative use, diuretics, enemas, medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.

23. Symptoms • Serious medical problems can occur with Bulimia Nervosa • esophageal or gastric rupture • cardiac arrhythmias • kidney failure • Seizures • Other psychological problems such as depression, intense moods, and low self-esteem are common

24. Anxiety • Anxiety is the fearful anticipation of further danger or problems accompanied by an intense unpleasant feeling or physical symptoms • Separation Anxiety • Generalized Anxiety • Panic Disorder • Phobias

25. Symptoms • Excessive worrying to the point of being reluctant or refusing to go to school, being alone, or sleeping alone. • Repeated nightmares • Complaints of physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomach aches, nausea, or vomiting) • Restlessness/Fatigue or Sleep Difficulties • Difficulty concentrating • Irritability • Panic Attacks • Irrational Fears

26. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) • Problems with paying attention and concentration and/or with hyperactive and impulsive behavior. • More common in boys (Symptoms are always present before the age of 7) • Symptoms become less severe during the late teen years and in young adulthood.

27. Symptoms • Unable to listen well, organize work, and follow directions. • Cooperating in sports and games may be difficult. • Acting before thinking • Restless • Fidgety • Unable to sit still

28. Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) • Bipolar Disorder is a type of mood disorder with marked changes in mood between extreme elation or happiness and severe depression.

29. Symptoms • The periods of elation are termed mania. During this phase, the teenager has • an outgoing or irritable mood • can become hyperactive and agitated • can get by with very little or no sleep • becomes excessively involved in multiple projects and activities • impaired judgment • For symptoms of the depressive phase see depression

30. Conduct Disorder • Teenager’s with conduct disorder have a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which they violate the rights of others, or violate norms or rules that are appropriate to their age.

31. Symptoms • Conduct more serious than ordinary mischief • Difficulties in the home, school, community • Low self esteem although may project an attitude of “toughness” • Symptoms of other disorders may be seen

32. Depression • Though the term "depression" can describe a normal human emotion, it also can refer to a psychiatric disorder. Depressive illness in children and adolescents includes a cluster of symptoms which have been present for at least two weeks.

33. Symptoms • In addition to feelings of sadness and/or irritability: • Change of appetite • Change in sleeping patterns • Loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed • Loss of energy, fatigue, feeling slowed down for no reason, "burned out" • Feelings of guilt and self blame for things that are not one's fault • Inability to concentrate and indecisiveness • Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness • Recurring thought of death and suicide, wishing to die, or attempting suicide

34. Learning Disorders • Learning Disorders occur when the child or adolescent's reading, math, or writing skills are substantially below that expected for age, schooling, and level of intelligence.

35. Symptoms • Difficulty understanding and following instructions • Trouble remembering what someone just told him or her • Fails to master a subject • Right from left, reversing letters, words, # • Lacks coordination • Loses things

36. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Have obsessions and/or compulsions. • Obsession: recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive and cause severe anxiety or distress. • Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors and rituals or mental acts

37. Symptoms • Persistent thoughts that harm will occur to them or someone close to them • Excessive worry causing anxiety • Repetitive behaviors

38. Physical/Sexual Abuse • Physical/Sexual injury or harm done to a child

39. Symptoms • Poor self image • Inability to trust or love others • Aggressive, disruptive • Anger or Rage • Self Destructive • Passive, Withdrawn • Anxiety or Fears • Flashbacks/Nightmares

40. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • A shocking, unexpected event that is outside the range of usual human experience has happened and the trauma is usually so extreme that it can overwhelm their coping mechanisms and create intense feelings of fear and helplessness.

41. Symptoms • Frequent memories • Play in which trauma is repeated • Upsetting/Frightening dreams • Irritability and anger outbursts • Problems Concentrating • Acting younger than their age

42. Psychosis • Psychotic disorders include severe mental disorders which are characterized by extreme impairment of a person's ability to think clearly, respond emotionally, communicate effectively, understand reality, and behave appropriately.

43. Symptoms • Delusions • Hallucinations

44. Schizophrenia • A psychotic disorder characterized by severe problems with a person’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and use of words and language.

45. Symptoms • Hallucinations • Odd/Eccentric • Unusual thoughts • Confuses television with reality • Paranoia • Anxiety/Fearfulness • Withdrawn • Decline in personal hygiene

46. Suicide • Suicide is the third leading cause of death (behind accidents and homicides) for teenagers. Each year more than 5,000 U.S. teenagers commit suicide.

47. Symptoms • Change in eating/sleeping habits • Withdrawn • Violent actions/Rebellious • Drug/Alcohol Use • Personality change • Decline in quality of work • Not accepting praise/reward • Verbal hints

48. Tourette’s Syndrome • Characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic. A tic is a sudden, rapid movement of some of the muscles in the body that occurs over and over and doesn't serve any purpose.

49. Symptoms • Body/Vocal tics • Problems with attention • Learning Disability • Getting in trouble hurts self esteem and increases distress

50. Closure Write down two things you learned from today’s activities that was interesting to you. Out of the two things you wrote down which one do you want to learn more about and why?