Chapter 3

Elizabeth Lytle, MPH, BSN, RN Los Altos School District

Caring for Your Mind

In This Chapter, You Will Learn To:

LIST

Key structures of the brain

Depression symptoms and treatment

Suicide symptoms and prevention

DESCRIBE

Neurons and their role in the brain

Difference between mental health and mental illness

Options for yourself in case of mental illness

Three Important Structures Of The Brain

Cerebrum

Brain Stem

Cerebellum

Brain Messages Are Sent Through Neurons

Neurons are nerve cells composed of:

Cell Body Contains nucleus

Axon Long fiber that carries electrical signal

Axon Terminal

Where the axon ends and its signal is transferred to the dendrite of a different neuron

DendriteShorter fiber that receives signal from the axon terminal

Neurons Communicate With Each Other

WHERE

At Synapses:

Area between the axon terminal of one neuron and the dendrite of another neuron

HOW

Through Neurotransmitters:

Packets of chemicals released from the axon terminal of the neuron sending the signal

Brain Messaging: Anatomy of a Neuron

The Many Factors of Mental Health

Definitions of Mental Illness

‘Clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that is associated with present distress, disability or significantly increased risk of suffering death pain, disability or an important loss of freedom’

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Ed

‘…mental, behavioral or emotional disorders that interfere with one or more major activities in life like dressing eating or working.’

U.S. Government

Almost half of all Americans will experience a

diagnosable mental disorder

in their lifetime

Most Common Mental Disorders

Mood Disorders• Depression• Biploar Disorder

Anxiety Disorders• Phobias• Panic Disorders

Substance Abuse• Drugs and alcohol

Mental Health Risks Vary With Gender

Mental Disorder High Risk Group

Depression

Women & GirlsAnxiety

Migraines

Alzheimer’s

Substance AbuseMen

Alcohol Abuse

Mental and Physical Health Are Linked

Positive Mental Attitude decreases risk of disease

Mental Illness increases risk for many diseases

Complex relationships between mental and physical health have been found

Heart Disease and Depression Diabetes and Depression Bone Density and Depression

Effects Of Depression May Include:

Fewer or Extreme Feelings

Depressed Helpless or hopeless Restless or slow No interest in pleasurable activities

Physical symptoms

Alterations In Thinking

Difficulty concentrating or thinking critically Persistent thoughts of death

New Actions

Withdrawal from others Eating more or less

Minimize These Contributors To Depression

STRESS

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

SLEEP LOSS

Depression Has Inequitable Impact

Groups More Likely to Experience

Major Depression

Women

Racial and Ethnic Minorities

Those Without a High School Education

Divorced or Never Married

Jobless

Those Without Health Insurance

Men Experience Depression Differently

Depression Symptoms

of Men

Irritability

Tremendous fatigue

Headaches and pain

Insomnia

Self-medication with alcohol or drugs

Men may not become ‘sad’ and are more likely than women to take their own life

Depression Treatment Is Individualized

Psychotherapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interpersonal Therapy

Antidepressant Medication

Electroconvolusive or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy

Exercise

Behavior Change

Antidepressants Have Risks For Young

More than 20 years old

Less likely to commit suicide after beginning treatment

Less than 20 years old

May be at higher risk of suicide shortly after beginning treatment

Side effects of aggression or hostility

Bipolar Disorder

DefinedManic states of feeling euphoric and energetic to depressive states of utter despair

Who is affected

50% have family member with bipolar More women than men affected

Symptoms

Mood swings Changes in thinking and behavior Changes in physical condition

Treatment Medication Professional therapy is essential

Phobias – Anxiety Disorders

DefinedOut-of-the-ordinary, irrational, intense, persistent fears of certain objects or situations

Treatment

Behavioral therapy for systematic exposure to feared object

Medical hypnosis

Panic Attacks And Panic Disorder

Panic Attack

Rapid heart rate, light-headed, hyperventilation, numb fingers or toes Terrible sense that something horrible is about to happen

Panic Disorder

When panic attacks recur OR Apprehension of panic attack impairs normal function

Treatment Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Medication

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsession Recurring idea, thought or image

CompulsionRepetitive behavior performed according to certain rules

Other Features

Cannot resist or control thoughts or behavior

Behaviors consume time and impact normal function

Treatment

Cognitive Therapy Behavioral Techniques Medication

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Features

Repetitive patterns of thoughts and behavior

No verbal communication before age 3

Four times more likely to occur in boys than girls

Treatment

Behavior therapy Speech-language therapy Physical therapy School-based educational programs

Schizophrenia

Features

Affects every aspect of psychological functioning Hallucinations and delusions Inability to think in logical manner Showing few, if any emotions

Treatment Antipsychotic medication

Causes

Failure in brain development very early in life Heredity

Two-thirds of college students who killed themselves

experienced depressive symptoms at the time of their death

Suicide Is Increasing in the United States

Risk of Suicide

Are You At Risk For Suicide?

Factors that Lead to Suicide Impulsivity High level of arousal and aggression Past suicidal behaviors Hopelessness

Factors that Protect from Suicide Feeling connected to family and parents Girls - Emotional well-being Boys - Grade-point average

Recognize When Friends Need Help

Express your concern and use guidelines below

Ask concerned questions

Suggest solutions or alternatives to problems

Ask if they have contemplated suicide

Know that people who talk about killing themselves may carry it out

Watch for changes in behavior

Avoid trite reassurances

5 Things To Do If Considering Suicide

1. Talk to a mental health professional

2. Talk to someone you trust

3. Write down positive thoughts

4. Avoid drugs and alcohol

5. Go to the hospital

Help For Mental Disorders Is Available

TherapyMany types of therapists

Many types of therapy

MedicationWork closely with health professional to choose medication

Alternative Activities

Can combine therapy and medication with other treatments to enhance results (yoga, meditation)