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Chapter 5
Mental and Emotional Problems
I. Anxiety- the condition of feeling uneasy or worried about what
may happen.
A. Causes- hormonal changes, relationship issues grief, or
stress
B. Coping with anxiety
• Plan ahead to avoid stressful situations
• Use stress management techniques
• Avoid using alcohol or drugs to produce a temporary
sense of relaxation
C. Depression- a prolonged feeling of helplessness,
hopelessness, and sadness. Can be a serious condition
requiring medical attention.
• 15% of teens will display some signs of depression
• Major depression- lasts for weeks or months
• Mild depression has less severe symptoms but can last
for years
• Adjustment disorder which is a reaction to specific life
events
Warning Signs of Depression
 Persistent sad or irritable mood 
 Loss of interest in activities once
enjoyed

 Significant change in appetite or 
body weight
 Difficulty sleeping or

oversleeping

 Loss of energy


Feelings of worthlessness or
inappropriate guilt
Difficulty concentrating
Recurrent thought of death or
suicide
Physical signs of nervousness
Changes in thinking
Changes in feelings
Changes in behavior
Causes and Effects of Depression
Causes: Physical, psychological, or social reasons. Medical conditions or
illnesses, surviving traumatic life events, or social/environmental factors
i.e. living in poverty or physically/emotionally harmful environments.
Homework
There are other types of depression, in addition to the
types described in this lesson. They include
cyclothymia, atypical depression, seasonal affective
disorder, postpartum depression, and premenstrual
dysphoric disorder. Students will learn about these
other types of depression and create a fact sheet to
summarize what they learn.
Getting Help for Depression
 Discuss concerns with a trusted adult
 Health professionals can develop a plan to treat depression that
may include medication, making changes in home or school
environment, or counseling
 Treatment takes time, persistence and patience
Complete the Lesson 1
Assessment on page 117 #1-5
II. Mental Disorders-an illness of the mind that can affect the
thoughts, feelings, life. behaviors of a
person, preventing him or her from leading
a happy, healthful, and productive. 1 in 4
Americans are affected by mental disorders
and most people don’t seek treatment.
A. Types of Mental Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders- a condition where real or imagined fears
are difficult to control. One of the most common disorders
Phobias
A strong irrational fear of something specific, such as
heights, or social situations
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder (OCD)
Persistent, fears, or urges leading to uncontrollable
repetitive behaviors. For example, the fear of leads to
constant hand washing
Panic Disorder
Attacks of sudden, unexplained feelings or terror. “Panic
attacks” are accompanied by trembling, increased heart
rate, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD)
A condition that may develop after exposure to a terrifying
event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares,
emotional numbness, guilt, sleeplessness, and problems
concentrating.
Generalized Anxiety
Disorder (GAD)
Exaggerated worry and tension for no reason. People with
GAD startle easily and have difficulty concentrating,
relaxing and sleeping.
Myths and Realities about Mental
Disorders
Myth: Having a mental disorder means that you are crazy
Fact: Mental disorders can affect anyone and having one does not
make you crazy
Myth: Having a mental disorder means that you are dangerous to
others
Fact: People with mental disorders are less dangerous than the
average person without mental illness.
Myth: Mental disorders cannot be cured
Fact: With treatment, many people with mental disorders can have
a full recovery
• Impulse Control Disorders- people cannot resist the urge to
hurt themselves or others. Usually begin in childhood and can
continue through adulthood. These people may cause physical
harm to themselves or others, financial issues by gambling
and/or overspending. Examples of Impulse Control Disorders
are:
Kleptomania
Unplanned theft of objects
Cutting
Repetitive cutting on parts of the body that
can be hidden
Pyromania
Setting fires to feel pleasure of release tension
Excessive Gambling
Continuing to gamble despite heavy losses
Compulsive Shopping
Spending money on items that you can’t afford
and don’t need
• Eating Disorders- occurs usually during teen years, usually
girls, struggle with body issues
Anorexia Nervosa- denying or extremely limiting your food
Bulimia- binge and purge cycles
• Mood disorders-illness that involves mood extremes that
interfere with everyday life. Examples: bipolar disorder
(extreme changes in mood, energy levels, and behavior)
Compare and Contrast Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
• Conduct Disorder –engaging in behavior patterns where the
rights of others or basic social rules are violated. Ex.
Stealing, cruelty, aggression, violence, truancy, arson, and
vandalism.
• Schizophrenia- mental disorder where the person loses
contact with reality.
• Personality disorders- unable to regulate their emotions ,
causes are unknown.
III. Suicide
 Most people learn to handle stress, others it can lead to
alienation (feelings of isolation and separation from
everyone and everything.
 Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one’s own life.
The third leading cause of death for teens 15-19.
 15% of teens will consider suicide and half will attempt it.
A. Risk Factors
 90% suffer from depression
 History of abusing alcohol or drugs
 Stressful situation or loss
 Previous suicide attempts
 Family history of mental disorders, substance abuse,
or suicide
 Access to guns
B. Cluster suicides- a series of suicides occurring within a
short period of time and involving several people in the
same school or community.
• 5% of all teen suicides
• Result in pacts made between teens
• Share a traumatic event in community or school
C. Strategies to prevent suicide
Recognize the warning signs of suicide and take them seriously.
The more signs exhibited, the more likely it is that the person is
thinking about suicide.
Direct statements such as “I wish I were dead”
A sense of guilt, shame, or rejection, negative
self evaluation
Indirect statement such as “I can’t take it anymore”
Deterioration in school work or recreational
performance
Writing poems, song lyrics, or diary entries that deal
with death
Giving away personal belongings
An unusual obsession with death
Substance abuse
Withdrawal from friends
Complaints about physical symptoms, such as
stomachaches, headaches, and fatigue
Dramatic changes in personality, hygiene, or
appearance
Persistent boredom and indifference
Direct or indirect suicide threats
Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
Impulsive, irrational, or unusual behavior
Intolerance for praise or rewards
Myths and Realities about
Suicide
Myth: People who talk about suicide won’t really attempt it.
Fact: People who talk about suicide are usually considering it and
should be taken seriously.
Myth: When people are determined to commit suicide, nothing can
stop them
Fact: Getting help for suicidal people can prevent them from taking
their lives
Myth: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea to attempt
suicide.
Fact: Talking about suicide and where to go for help may help prevent
someone from attempting suicide
D. How You Can Help
 Initiate a meaningful conversation, show interest,
compassion, patience, and understanding
 Show support and ask questions- remind them that
all problems have solutions and suicide is not the
answer
 Try to persuade the person to seek help- encourage
the person to talk to a parent, counselor, or other
trusted adult. Offer to go with them for help
 If you think someone is suicidal tell someone, tell
someone until someone takes action
 Contact community resources, crisis centers, or
hotlines
Complete Now Lesson 3 Assessment
p.125 # 1-5 you have 10 minutes to
complete your task.
IV. Getting Help
A. When help is needed- no one should ever need to feel
embarrassed. Seek help if feeling the following
 Feeling trapped or worrying all the time
 Feelings that affect sleep, eating habits, schoolwork,
job performance, or relationships
 Becoming involved with alcohol or other drugs
 Becoming increasingly aggressive, violent, or reckless
B. Overcoming Stumbling Blocks
 Asking for help is a sign of inner strength. Shows
responsibility for one’s own wellness
 Serious disorders, compulsions, and addictions are
complex and require professional interventions
 Sharing your thoughts with an objective, helpful
individual can be a great relief
 Financial help to pay for care may be available
C. Where to go for help – remember it takes courage to
confront a problem
Mental Health Professionals
 Counselor- handles personal and educational matters
 School psychologist- professional that specializes in the
assessment of learning, emotional, and behavioral problems of
school children
 Psychiatrist- physician who diagnoses and treats mental disorders
and can prescribe medications
 Neurologist- a physician who specializes in physical
disorders of the brain and nervous system
 Clinical psychologist- a professional who diagnoses
and treats emotional and behavioral disorders
with counseling. Some can provide medication.
 Psychiatric social worker- a professional who provides guidance
and treatment for emotional problems in a hospital, mental
health clinic or family service agency
Treatment methods
 Psychotherapy- ongoing dialogue between a patient and a mental
health professional
 Behavior therapy- treatment process that focuses on changing
unwanted behaviors through rewards and reinforcements
 Cognitive therapy-treatment method that identifies and corrects
distorted thinking patterns that can lead to feelings and
behaviors that may be troublesome, self defeating, or self
destructive
 Family therapy- focuses on helping the family function in more
positive and constructive ways by exploring patterns in
communication and providing support and education
 Group therapy- treating a group of people who have similar
problems and who meet regularly with trained counselors.
Whatever is said in the group remains private
 Drug therapy- the use of certain medications to treat or reduce
the symptoms of a mental disorder.