Download Typical or Troubled Presentation

Marlene B. Huff PhD, LCSW
University of Kentucky
Department of Pediatrics
Division of Adolescent Medicine
Improving Teen Mental Health
Presentation at
High School
Lexington, KY
Tates Creek
No help =
Pain
Suffering
Failing
At least 1 in 5 children
and adolescents has a
mental health disorder
1 in 10 has a serious
disorder
90% of people who
develop a mental
disorder show warning
signs during their teen
years
HELP =
Better academic
achievement
Less substance abuse
Improved chances for
their future
Everyone Can Make a Difference
Every
Adult
School
Staff
Parents
Angry or
aggressive
behaviors
Poor
concentration
Increased
tardiness or
absences
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
Anxious
Typical?
Troubled?
•Complex period of rapid
change, transition
•Challenges: fitting in, defining
identity, competing demands
(school, home)
Typical
Teens
• Sometimes - other home issues
(divorce, violence or substance
abuse)
Bottom line: May display
alterations of mood,
distressing thoughts,
anxiety,
and impulsive behavior.
• Experiencing more than
normal developmental
challenges, inability to form
healthy relationships
• Without treatment, more
likely to have serious
problems:
• Academic
• Relationships
• Employment
Troubled
Teens
What causes mental
health disorders?
biology
+ environment
As you NOTICE signs, ask yourself, are they:
• FREQUENT ?
– (e.g., student is quiet, withdrawn over multiple days/weeks)
• EXTREME ?
– (e.g., violent outburst, aggressive behavior)
If either:
• TALK with student
• ACT by communicating what you’ve seen/heard with school MH staff
Teen Mental Health Disorders
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Psychotic disorders
Behavioral/disruptive disorders
CLINICAL DEPRESSION
•Deep despair, sadness, crying
•1 in 13 teens experience symptoms
BIPOLAR DISORDER
•Extreme changes from happy to sad
•1 in 100 teens have it
•Hard to diagnose, looks like depression
ANXIETY DISORDERS
•Overwhelming fear with no cause
•Risk is greater with family history
EATING DISORDERS
•Unrealistic thoughts about weight
•1 in 20 teens suffer; 90% females
•Untreated it can result in
hospitalization or death
SCHIZOPHRENIA
•Strange thoughts, unusual behaviors
•High functioning, then big decline
•Distrustful, no longer social, voices
ADHD
•Problems paying attention
•Can seriously impact ability to learn
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER
•Stubborn, argumentative, hostile
•Major distraction in the classroom
CONDUCT DISORDER
•Verbal/physical aggression
•Junior sociopaths
•End up in detention centers
Depression
Frequent
outbursts
Abuse of
alcohol/
drugs
Intense fear
of becoming
obese
Marked change
in school
performance
Unusual
behavior
Physical
complaints
Self-injury/
Cutting
Threats to
run away
Aggression
Nightmares
Threat to
harm self
or others
Sexual
acting out
Inability to
cope
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Mental Health
Counselors
Ineffective Coping
•
•
•
•
Drugs
Sex
Alcohol
Cutting
EFFECTIVE TREATMENT
Therapy, Medication
– Sometimes combination works best
No “silver bullet” or quick fix – timeframe depends on:
– Severity of disorder
– Temperament of child
– Family & school support
MEDICATION
• Used to:
– Improve daily functioning
– Prevent serious symptoms
– Enable therapy to be more
effective
• Must be used appropriately
and only under care of
psychiatrist or other
physician
Effective Mental Health Treatment
THERAPY
Cognitive Behavior
Therapy (CBT)
Family Therapy
Group Therapy
External Referral
Process
When help is needed
beyond our school...
NOTICE
TALK
ACT
Changing a Life’s Course
More Resources for You
• www.healthyminds.org
– (American Psychiatric Association)
• Other Resources
– www.aacap.org (American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry)
Thank you!