1

Chapter 5

Mental and Emotional Problems

2

Lesson 1

Dealing with Anxiety and Depression

3

Anxiety• The condition of feeling uneasy or

worried about what may happen

• Occasional anxiety is natural

• Stressful situations can bring about anxiety

• Coping with Anxiety– Think about a time you felt anxious…..– It is hard to avoid but how can you prepare

for the future situations that might bring about anxiety

4

Depression• A prolonged feeling of helplessness,

hopelessness, and sadness• One of the most common mental health

concerns amongst teens• Depression may require medical attention• Types of depression

– Major Depression• Intense and can last for weeks or months

– Mild Depression• Less severe symptoms, but can last for years

– Adjustment• Reaction to a specific life event

5

Cause and Effects of Depression

Causes• Physical• Psychological

– Surviving a traumatic event

• Social reasons• Medical condition• Illness

Effects• Changes in thinking• Changes in feelings• Apathy - lack of

strong feeling, interest, or concern

• Changes in behavior

6

Warning Signs of Depression• 5 or more of these must persist for two or

more weeks before a diagnosis can be made:– Persistent sad or irritable mood– Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed– Significant change in appetite or body weight– Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping– Physical signs of nervousness– Loss of energy– Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt– Difficulty concentrating– Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

7

Getting Help for Depression

• If you recognize signs of depression in yourself or a friend discuss your concerns with a trusted adult

• Health professions will create a plan to help treat the depression

• Some plans include medication, making changes in the home or school environment, or counseling

8

Lesson 2

Mental Disorders

9

Mental Disorder• Medical conditions that require diagnosis and

treatment• An illness of the mind that can affect the

thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of a person, preventing her from leading a happy, healthful, and productive life

• Many people with mental disorders do not seek treatment or help because they feel embarrassed or ashamed

• Others worry about the stigma, or mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual being shunned or rejected by others

10

Types of Mental Disorders• Anxiety Disorders

– A condition in which real or imagined fears are difficult to control

• Phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder

• Impulse Control Disorders– Cannot resist the urge to hurt themselves or others

• Kleptomania, cutting, pyromania, excessive gambling, compulsive shopping

• Eating Disorders• Mood Disorders

– Illness that involves mood extremes that interfere with everyday living

• Depression, bipolar (manic-depressive)

11

Types of Mental Disorders cont., • Conduct Disorder

– Patterns of behavior in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated

• Lying, stealing, aggression, cruelty, violence, truancy, arson, and vandalism

• Schizophrenia– Lose contact with reality

• Personality Disorders– Unable to regulate their emotions

12

Lesson 3

Suicide Prevention

13

The Facts• Alienation

– Feeling isolated and separated from everyone else

• Suicide– The act of intentionally taking one’s own life

• Third leading cause of death for teens 15 to 19– Fact:

• People who talk about suicide are usually considering it and should be taken seriously

– Fact: • Getting help for suicidal people can prevent them from taking

their lives– Fact:

• Talking about suicide and where to go for help may help prevent someone from attempting suicide

14

Risk Factors • Two risk factors are common among

those who commit suicide1. Depression or another Mental Disorder

2. History of abusing alcohol or other drugs

• Cluster Suicides– Series of suicides occurring within a short

period of time and involving several people in the same school or community• 5% of teen suicides• Pacts made among peers

15

How You Can Help

• Recognize the warning signs of suicide (figure 5.7)

• Never keep a secret

• Tell a trusted adult right away

• Initiate meaningful conversation

• Show support and ask questions

• Try to persuade the person to seek help

16

Lesson 4

Getting Help

17

Mental Health Professionals• Counselor

– Handles personal and educational matters• School psychologist

– Specializes in the assessment of learning, emotional, and behavioral problems of school children

• Psychiatrist– A physician who diagnoses and treats mental disorders and can

prescribe medications• Neurologist

– A physician who specializes in physical disorders of the brain and nervous system

• Clinical psychologist– Diagnoses and treats emotional and behavioral disorders with

counseling. Some can prescribe medications• Psychiatric social worker

– Provides guidance and treatment for emotional problems in a hospital, mental health clinic, or family service agency

18

Treatment Methods• Psychotherapy

– Ongoing dialogue between a patient and mental health professional

• Behavior therapy– Treatment process that focuses on changing unwanted behaviors

through rewards and reinforcements

• Cognitive therapy– Treatment method designed to identify and correct distorted thinking

patterns that can lead to feelings and behaviors that may be troublesome, self-defeating, or self-destructive

• Family therapy– Helping the family to function in more positive and constructive ways

by exploring patterns in communication and providing support and education

• Group therapy– Treating a group of people who have similar problems and who meet

regularly with a trained counselor

• Drug therapy– Use of certain medications to treat or reduce the symptoms of a

mental disorder