Chapter 6: Lesson 6.1 Recognizing Mental Illnesses

Understanding Mental Illnesses

Almost everyone struggles with feelings of , , and . When these thoughts and feelings decrease mental and emotional health, they are called mental health conditions. Short-term feelings and thoughts that interfere with a person’s ability to perform are called mental distress.

A occurs when a mental health condition does not go away and becomes so severe that it interferes with daily functioning. It is also called a . For example, a person might have a fear of public places. This fear may become so severe that the person avoids going to school or visiting family and friends.

Learning more about will help you understand your feelings and educate other people. It is important to recognize that people are not defined by their mental illness. Mental illness is treatable.

Please review the information below and answer questions 12-22.

What Causes Mental Illnesses?

Causes of most mental illnesses are unknown. Research suggests that a combination of factors contribute to these illnesses, including the following:

• . People who have family members with certain mental illnesses, such as , , , or , are at a greater risk of developing these illnesses themselves. This is partly due to genetics.

• . Structural differences and chemical imbalances in the brain contribute to some mental illnesses. For example, children with have larger amygdalas, the part of the brain that triggers fear reaction.

• . Most experts believe that a person’s play a major role in whether a mental illness develops. For example, a stable and loving home environment may prevent the development of a mental illness. On the other hand, and stressors, such as the death of a loved one, financial loss, or divorce, can increase the risk of developing a . In addition, bullying can increase the risk of mental illnesses (Figure 6.1).

• . People who repeatedly use increase their risk of a mental illness. Examples of substances include nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. People who develop an addiction to these substances feel like they cannot stop using a substance, even if they want to.

• . People who experience a are at greater risk of developing some mental illnesses. Brain injuries may cause temporary or permanent changes to brain function. Permanent changes can result in depression, anxiety, personality changes, and aggression.

• . The environment during affects the health of a baby. Certain events and behaviors in a pregnant person’s environment increase a baby’s risk of developing a mental illness. These include substance use, poor nutrition, stress, trauma, or exposure to viruses or certain chemicals. In addition, signs of mental illnesses during pregnancy also increase the risk in a a mental illness later in life.

• . Having feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, anxiety, and anger can contribute to the development of a mental illness. People who have unhealthy patterns of thinking may believe the they experience will never go away. Fortunately, people can learn to change unhealthy patterns of thinking and improve their mental and emotional health.

Types of Mental Illnesses

affect mental and emotional health. All of these factors influence behavior and daily functioning. Different types of interfere with mental and emotional health in distinct ways.

Anxiety Disorders

Almost everyone experiences anxiety in some situations. often involves an , rapid breathing, , and an upset stomach. You may feel this way when you are nervous about something.

A person who has an responds with extreme or unrealistic fear and dread to certain situations, experiences, or objects. These feelings and responses disrupt the person’s way of life.

People with (GAD) experience anxiety about parts of their lives that they cannot control. These people may feel anxious about school or work. People with generalized anxiety disorder also experience physical symptoms. These include , difficulty concentrating, and .

People with feel anxious or afraid of social situations in which they might be judged (Figure 6.2). In these situations, a person with social anxiety may worry about being embarrassed or rejected. A person with usually avoids social situations. A related mental health condition is social media anxiety, in which people feel if they cannot check their social media accounts. You can learn more about how to manage social through mindfulness in the infographic on the next page.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

People with (ADHD) have difficulty paying attention and controlling behavior. They also tend to be hyperactive. means overly . People who have may show various types of symptoms (Figure 6.4).

Biological sex influences the symptoms a person with ADHD experiences. Males typically show such as , reckless decision-making, and . Females are more likely to show lack of focus, , , and verbal aggression.

For people with ADHD, these symptoms for at least six months and make it difficult to complete everyday tasks like listening in class. It can cause difficulty at home, at school, or in social situations. ADHD usually develops during childhood and can continue through adulthood.

Many symptoms of ADHD are also seen in people with (EFDs). People with EFDs show a pattern of difficulty performing daily tasks. This includes struggling to , , , , and complete tasks in a timely way. People with EFDs have difficulty working toward long-term goals, identifying the steps to meet these goals, and planning for future events. They tend to focus only on the immediate future.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with (OCD) have repeating, , , and that make daily functioning difficult. Uncontrollable thoughts are called and often cause anxiety. An example of an obsession is germs. People with OCD often try to make obsessions go away by engaging in repeated actions, also known as compulsions. Someone with an obsession with germs may wash their hands multiple times a day to calm their obsessive thoughts. Figure 6.5 shows different types of obsessions and compulsions.

People with OCD generally cannot and do not get any pleasure or satisfaction from compulsive behaviors. Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors make it difficult for people with OCD to and interact with others.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

People who live through a terrifying event may develop (PTSD). The event often involves or the . For example, experiencing war, living through a natural disaster, or surviving a major accident can cause PTSD. People with PTSD experience extreme after the danger is over. They may also experience flashbacks (vivid memories) of the event, angry outbursts, and or trouble sleeping.

Mood Disorders

People with experience serious changes in the way they feel. Some mood disorders can make people all the time and lose interest in life. Other mood disorders can cause people to go back and forth between feelings of extreme and extreme . Common mood disorders include major depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and bipolar disorder.

Major Depressive Disorder Everyone feels at times. These feelings are normal and can help people understand what activities or situations make them . These feelings are especially normal during or after and difficult life events, such as the loss of a loved one. Most often, these feelings improve and go away over time.

Sometimes, however, are intense and do not go away, even with time. These feelings negatively affect a person’s daily life. People who experience ongoing have major depressive disorder, which is also called . People with major depressive disorder may experience the symptoms in Figure 6.6.

If symptoms remain , or are treated using unhealthy self-management strategies like self-medication, major depressive disorder can have serious consequences. These can disrupt a person’s ability to engage in daily life tasks, such as . A person may also be more likely to engage in harmful behaviors and develop various health conditions. Healthier strategies include talking to someone about how you feel and spending time with loved ones. People with major often need professional treatment from a mental health specialist to manage the condition and feel better.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

(SAD) is a mental illness that causes symptoms similar to those of major depressive disorder. , such as natural sunlight, can impact a person's mental health. People with SAD experience symptoms of months when there is less natural sunlight. These symptoms are severe enough they make it for a person with SAD to function on a daily basis.

Due to the symptoms developing in the winter months, SAD usually goes away in the . People with SAD often need from a mental health specialist to manage the condition. Some people who have SAD may also benefit from light therapy.

Bipolar Disorder

People who have bipolar disorder experience intense symptoms of that alternate with manic (extremely happy and “up”) moods. During periods of depression, any of the symptoms of major depressive disorder may occur. Symptoms of the manic mood include poor judgment, little need for sleep, and hyperactive behavior. A may also include a . This can lead to binge drinking, binge eating, or out-of-control spending. To manage the symptoms, people with bipolar disorder need professional treatment.

Personality and Behavioral Disorders

are a category of mental illnesses characterized by consistent patterns of inappropriate behavior. The symptoms of personality disorders interfere with a person’s ability to and maintain relationships.

Most are diagnosed in older teens and adults. Sometimes they may be associated with . When children and younger teens show consistent patterns of inappropriate behavior, they are more likely to be diagnosed with a . In addition to ADHD, two common behavioral disorders are oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.

(ODD) is a mental illness usually diagnosed in children. Children with ODD show behaviors that are , , and to other people. Symptoms can include frequent temper tantrums, refusal to obey authority figures, and questioning and arguing. Children with ODD may be easily , speak harshly, and show lots of anger. These behaviors are most common when the child is hungry, tired, or upset.

Conduct disorder is a mental illness that can grow into in adulthood. People with conduct disorder show and sometimes violent behavior toward other people. They ignore other people’s feelings and may engage in cruel behaviors such as pushing, hitting, or biting others; hurting animals; and picking fights. People with conduct disorder are also more likely to engage in items or destroying property.

Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder

People who have spectrum disorder typically experience symptoms such as irregular thoughts, delusions, or false beliefs. Schizophrenia can also involve and seeing things that are not there. People diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder may experience paranoia. is the belief that people are threatening or plotting against you. They may also show reactions, such as laughing when they hear someone has died. People diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder may also appear agitated, , and have difficulty managing personal hygiene tasks.