Ch.

5: Anxiety
Occasional anxiety is a normal, manageable reaction to short-
term, stressful situations.

Anxiety:
 Ch. 5: Anxiety
Occasional anxiety is a normal, manageable reaction to short-
term, stressful situations.

Anxiety: The condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what may

happen.
 Anxiety
• Anxiety: Normal or a more serious problem?
 Anxiety
• Anxiety: Normal or a more serious problem?

Occasional anxiety is a natural response to life events/stress.

Usually, once the stressful situation is over, the anxiety it caused goes
away too. If not, the anxiety may be more serious (possibly an anxiety
disorder) and a person should consider seeking help.
 Types of Anxiety Disorders
Types of anxiety disorders include:

• Phobias: A phobia is a strong, irrational fear of something specific, such as heights or

social situations.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): This disorder involves persistent thoughts, fears,
or urges (obsessions), which lead to uncontrollable repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
One common example is an obsessive fear of germs that leads to constant hand
washing.
• Panic disorder: People with this disorder experience attacks of sudden, unexplained
feelings of terror. These “panic attacks” are accompanied by physical symptoms such
as trembling, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This condition may develop after exposure to a
traumatic event, such as a car accident or a violent attack. Symptoms include
flashbacks (reliving the event mentally), nightmares, emotional numbness, guilt,
sleeplessness, and trouble concentrating.
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): People with GAD feel excessively worried and
tense for no reason. They startle easily and have difficulty concentrating, relaxing, and
sleeping.
 Panic Attacks
(More information…)
 Depression
Depression: Prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and
sadness.
 Depression
Depression: Prolonged feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and
sadness.

Like anxiety, sadness is a feeling that affects everyone from

time to time. Depression, however, usually lasts longer and may produce
additional symptoms that do not go away over time. Depression is a
serious condition that requires medical help.
 Depression
• Depression: Normal or a more serious problem?
 Depression
• Depression: Normal or a more serious problem?

Most of the times, feelings of sadness will pass. If feelings of

sadness do not pass after two weeks, seek help from a mental health
professional.
 Depression
• Depression: Normal or a more serious problem?

Most of the times, feelings of sadness will pass. If feelings of

sadness do not pass after two weeks, seek help from a mental health
professional.

Depression is often characterized by feeling:

• Sadness
• Hopelessness
• Helplessness
 Warning Signs of Major Depression
Five or more of these symptoms must persist for two or more weeks
before a diagnosis of Major Depression is indicated.

• Persistent sad or irritable mood

• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed (apathy)
• Change in appetite or body weight
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Restlessness or irritability
• Loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feeling hopeless
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
 Forms of Depression
Mental health experts have identified three forms of depression. Forms
of depression include:
 Forms of Depression
Mental health experts have identified three forms of depression. Forms
of depression include:

• Major depression, which is intense and can last for weeks or months.
 Forms of Depression
Mental health experts have identified three forms of depression. Forms
of depression include:

• Major depression, which is intense and can last for weeks or months.

• Mild or chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, which has less

severe symptoms, but can persist for years.
 Forms of Depression
Mental health experts have identified three forms of depression. Forms
of depression include:

• Major depression, which is intense and can last for weeks or months.

• Mild or chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, which has less

severe symptoms, but can persist for years.

• Adjustment disorder, a reaction to a specific life event such as the

death of a loved one. Adjustment disorder can also take the form of
anxiety that lasts much longer than normal anxiety.
 Getting Help for Depression
Treatments can include:
• Medication
• Changes in the home or school environment
• Counseling
 Getting Help for Depression
Treatments can include:
• Medication
• Changes in the home or school environment
• Counseling

Treating depression requires:

• Time
• Persistence
• Patience
 Getting Help for Depression
Treatments can include:
• Medication
• Changes in the home or school environment
• Counseling

Treating depression requires:

• Time
• Persistence
• Patience

If you recognize signs of depression in yourself or a friend, discuss your

concerns with a trusted adult. If a friend asks you not to tell anyone that he
or she is depressed, it’s okay to break that promise. It could literally save
your friend’s life.
 Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are medical conditions require diagnosis and
treatment, just like a physical illness or injury. However, many people do
not seek treatment.

Why?
 Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are medical conditions require diagnosis and
treatment, just like a physical illness or injury. However, many people do
not seek treatment.

Why?

Two common reasons:

• Feelings of embarrassment or shame.
 Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are medical conditions require diagnosis and
treatment, just like a physical illness or injury. However, many people do
not seek treatment.

Why?

Two common reasons:

• Feelings of embarrassment or shame.
• Fear of stigma associated with mental illness.

Stigma: A mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual

being shunned or rejected by others.
 Mental Illness
Mental illnesses are medical conditions require diagnosis and
treatment, just like a physical illness or injury. However, many people do
not seek treatment.

Why?

Two common reasons:

• Feelings of embarrassment or shame.
• Fear of stigma associated with mental illness.

Stigma: A mark of shame or disapproval that results in an individual

being shunned or rejected by others.

This is unfortunate, because many mental and emotional

problems cannot be solved without professional help.
 Types of Mental Illnesses
Each year, approximately 57.7 million people in the United
States are affected by some form of mental illness. That’s nearly one in
every five Americans.
 Types of Mental Illnesses
Each year, approximately 57.7 million people in the United
States are affected by some form of mental illness. That’s nearly one in
every five Americans.

There are hundreds of mental illnesses recognized by the “DSM-

5”, the fifth and most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders. (The DSM is the official classification and
diagnostic tool published by the American Psychiatric Association).

What we will cover in this course is only a small sampling of

these, including several of the most commonly diagnosed mental
illnesses.
 Impulse Control Disorders
People with impulse control disorders cannot resist the urge to
engage in hurtful behaviors. Some examples include:
 Impulse Control Disorders
People with impulse control disorders cannot resist the urge to
engage in hurtful behaviors. Some examples include:

• Kleptomania: the uncontrollable urge to steal.

• Self-harm: People deliberately injure themselves. Examples of self-
harming behaviors including cutting or burning the skin or pulling
out hair.
• Pyromania: deliberately setting fires to feel pleasure or release
tension.
• Excessive (or compulsive) gambling: People continue gambling
despite heavy losses, even if they feel the desire to stop.
• Compulsive shopping: People uncontrollably spend money on items
that they can’t afford and don’t need.
 Eating Disorders
As teenagers contrast their growing bodies with images of
“perfect” bodies that they see in the media, they may feel pressure to
change the way they look. This can lead them to develop harmful eating
behaviors. Eating disorders are most common among girls, but they affect
boys as well. Eating disorders can lead to unhealthful weight loss or weight
gain and even cause death. Some examples include:
 Eating Disorders
As teenagers contrast their growing bodies with images of
“perfect” bodies that they see in the media, they may feel pressure to
change the way they look. This can lead them to develop harmful eating
behaviors. Eating disorders are most common among girls, but they affect
boys as well. Eating disorders can lead to unhealthful weight loss or weight
gain and even cause death. Some examples include:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge Eating Disorder
 Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia often develop obsessive behaviors related to
food. These may include:
 Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia often develop obsessive behaviors related to
food. These may include:
• avoiding food and meals
• eating only a few kinds of food in very small amount
• weighing or counting the calories in everything they eat
• exercising excessively
• weighing themselves repeatedly.
 Anorexia Nervosa
People with anorexia often develop obsessive behaviors related to
food. These may include:
• avoiding food and meals
• eating only a few kinds of food in very small amount
• weighing or counting the calories in everything they eat
• exercising excessively
• weighing themselves repeatedly.

Anorexia can cause the same health problems as malnutrition or

starvation. Body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure may drop.
The bones may become brittle, and the body's organs may actually shrink.
Anorexia nervosa can lead to heart problems and sudden cardiac death.
 Bulimia Nervosa
Similar to anorexia in some ways:
• Fear of weight gain
• Dissatisfaction with their bodies.

Instead of avoiding food all the time, they regularly go on

binges, eating a huge amount of food in a single sitting. During a binge,
they may feel out of control, often gulping down food too fast to taste it.
After the binge, they purge to rid their bodies of the excess food. They
may force themselves to vomit or take laxatives to flush the food out of
their system. Instead of purging, some people with bulimia may fast or
exercise frantically after a binge.
 Bulimia Nervosa
Unlike people with anorexia, bulimia sufferers are usually in the
normal weight range for their age and height. However, this disease can
cause serious health problems. It can lead to dehydration, sore and
inflamed throat, and swollen glands. It can also damage the stomach,
intestines, or kidneys. People who purge by vomiting may damage their
teeth by exposing them regularly to stomach acid. Purging can also
cause chemical imbalances in the body. In severe cases, these
imbalances can lead to irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and
death.
 Other Mental Illnesses
• Mood disorder: Illness that involves mood extremes that interfere
with everyday living.
Examples: Depression, Bipolar Disorder
 Other Mental Illnesses
• Mood disorder: Illness that involves mood extremes that interfere
with everyday living.
Examples: Depression, Bipolar Disorder

• Conduct disorder: Pattern of behavior in which the rights of others

or basic social rules are violated.
Example behaviors: stealing, cruelty, lying, aggression, violence, truancy
(skipping school), arson (setting fires), and vandalism
Bipolar Disorder
 Other Mental Illnesses
• Mood disorder: Illness that involves mood extremes that interfere
with everyday living.
Examples: Depression, Bipolar Disorder

• Conduct disorder: Pattern of behavior in which the rights of others

or basic social rules are violated.
Example behaviors: stealing, cruelty, lying, aggression, violence, truancy
(skipping school), arson (setting fires), and vandalism

• Personality Disorder: Illness in which a person is unable to regulate

their emotions. They may feel distressed in social situations or
behave in ways that are distressing to others.
Schizophrenia
 Schizophrenia
• The word schizophrenia means “split mind.”
• A mental illness in which a person is “split from” or loses touch with
reality.
• Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders.
• Extremely rare.
• Often confused with Multiple Personality Disorder.
• Professional help and medication are needed to overcome this
illness (there is no cure currently).
 Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens aged
15 to 19. Each year, over 4,000 teens become victims of suicide.
 Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens aged
15 to 19. Each year, over 4,000 teens become victims of suicide.

Why?
 Suicide Prevention
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens aged
15 to 19. Each year, over 4,000 teens become victims of suicide.

Why?

Some individuals, unable to deal with their emotional pain,

seek to escape by ending their lives. The sad reality is that they do not
actually wish to die.
 Risk Factors
Two risk factors are common among victims of suicide. More
than 90 percent of them either:
 Risk Factors
Two risk factors are common among victims of suicide. More
than 90 percent of them either:

• Suffer from depression or another mental illness…

• Have a history of abusing alcohol or other drugs…
• Or both.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Recognizing the Warning Signs
How Can You Help?
 How Can You Help?
• Start a meaningful conversation.
• Show empathy.
• Offer support and ask questions.
• Try to persuade the person to seek help.
 How Can You Help?
• Start a meaningful conversation.
• Show empathy.
• Offer support and ask questions.
• Try to persuade the person to seek help.

Regardless of the outcome of your conversation, tell an adult

about the problem. If the adult doesn’t seem to believe the threat is
serious, then talk to other adults until someone agrees to take action.
 How Can You Help?
• Start a meaningful conversation.
• Show empathy.
• Offer support and ask questions.
• Try to persuade the person to seek help.

Regardless of the outcome of your conversation, tell an adult

about the problem. If the adult doesn’t seem to believe the threat is
serious, then talk to other adults until someone agrees to take action.

If a friend asks you not to tell anyone that he or she is

considering suicide, it’s okay to break that promise. It could literally save
your friend’s life.