Download Slide 1 - Curriculum

What is a mental disorder?
A mental disorder is an illness that affects a person’s
thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
Someone with a mental disorder
may not feel good about
themselves or may have a
difficult time develop
intimate relationships.
They may have difficulty
dealing with everyday activities
A change that a person
notices in his or her body
or mind that is caused
by a disease or disorder.
List some common symptoms
one might experience if dealing
with a mental disorder:
Too much or too little sleep
Feeling of extreme sadness
Unexplained mood changes
Drug or alcohol abuse
Inability to concentrate
Extreme anxiety or irrational fear
Personality changes
False perceptions of reality
Everyone feels sad or down at
times, however if it keeps
you from
carrying out everyday
activities it is
considered depression.
Lack of energy
Withdraw from people
Loss of appetite or overeating
Too much or too little sleep
Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness
What are some things you
can do if experiencing
depression?
Face the problem
Identify the problem
Take action
The most commonly diagnosed
childhood disorder is ADHD
(Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Inattentive or impulsively
hyperactive
to the point of having trouble
accomplishing daily activities.
They may have trouble doing school work,
difficult in following directions
and may be easily distracted.
If anxiety gets in the way of
taking part in daily activities,
or it occurs frequently,
or if it causes terror then it
may be
a disorder.
Describe the following Anxiety Disorders:
The person may feel extreme
fear for his or her life
even though there is not any danger.
excessive or
persistent fear of
something that
may or
may not cause
real danger.
Disorder triggered by uncomfortable
thoughts called obsessions
and by
repetitive behaviors called
compulsions.
What causes Mental Disorders?
Many disorders are
treatable and some can
be cured with the
help of
psychotherapy,
group therapy or even
medication.