Chapter Five: Lesson 5 Page 159 Mental And Emotional Problems What Are Mental and Emotional Disorder? There are many types of mental and emotional disorders. mental and emotional disorders Illnesses that affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior Causes of Mental and Emotional Disorders Physical Causes • • • • Drug use Brain chemistry Accidental injury Heredity Stressors • Repeated emotional stressors such as abuse Types of Mental and Emotional Disorders There are many types of mental and emotional disorders including anxiety disorders and mood disorders. anxiety disorders Extreme fears of real or imaginary situations that get in the way of normal activities mood disorder A mental and emotional problem in which a person undergoes mood swings that seem extreme, inappropriate, or last a long time Anxiety Disorders Panic disorder People experience intense feelings of fear for a short time. The body prepares for fight or flight, even during an ordinary situation. Phobias A phobia is an exaggerated or inappropriate fear of something specific. Some phobias can interfere with normal, everyday activities. Obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD) A person with this disorder may feel that he or she must perform a certain activity, such as washing his her hands several times. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) This disorder is a reaction to a very traumatic event. People with PTSD often have bad memories of the event for a long time. Mood Disorders Depression People with this disorder feel a strong sense of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness, guilt, and extreme sadness. If depressed people begin to feel hopeless, they may consider ending their lives Bipolar disorder Also called manic-depression, this disorder involves extreme mood swings for no apparent reason. A person with this disorder usually experiences alternating periods of excessive activity called mania and depression. Signs of Mental and Emotional Problems Loss of appetite Neglect of personal appearance Nightmares Difficulty sleeping Hearing voices Long-lasting feelings of sadness Teens who experience any of these symptoms should seek help from a trusted adult right away. What Is Suicide? If you believe that someone you know is considering suicide, talk to a trusted adult right away. suicide The act of killing oneself What Is Suicide? Warning Signs of Suicide Talking about suicide Wanting to be left alone Interest in death or violence Engaging in risky behavior, such as drug use Giving away possessions Saying final goodbyes to friends and loved ones