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Mental Health & Mental Illness
Mental Health & Mental Illness
HEALTH &
MENTAL
ILLNESS
Parents, practitioners, and policymakers are recognizing the importance of young
people’s mental health. Youth with better mental health are physically healthier,
demonstrate more socially positive behaviors and engage in fewer risky behaviors.
Conversely, youth with mental health problems, such as depression, are more likely to
engage in health risk behaviors. Furthermore, youths’ mental health problems pose a
significant financial and social burden on families and society in terms of distress, cost of
treatment, and disability.
Most mental health problems diagnosed in adulthood begin in adolescence. Half of
lifetime diagnosable mental health disorders start by age 14; this number increases to three
fourths by age 24. The ability to manage mental health problems, including substance use
issues and learning disorders, can affect adult functioning in areas such as social
relationships and participation in the workforce
Two topics we Will encounter
One in five adolescents experience significant symptoms of
emotional distress and nearly one in ten are emotionally
impaired;
Mental illness refers to diagnosable mental disorders that are characterized by alterations in
thinking, mood, or behavior (or a combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired
functioning.”
Common disorders include mood disorders such as depression; anxiety disorders; behavioral
problems such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder; eating disorders such as
anorexia nervosa and bulimia; addictive disorders; and other disorders commonly seen in childhood
and adolescence such as autism, learning disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(AD/HD).
Specific Disorders
Depression - feelings of severe despondency and dejection
Depression is one of the most widely studied mental health conditions because
of its large burden on individuals, families, and society and its links to suicide.
Depression is the most widely reported disorder, with over a quarter of adolescents
affected A Mental Health Profile of Adolescents Page 5 by at least mild depressive
symptoms.
10 common symptoms of depression:
Deliberately acting in a way that will annoy others Difficulty making friends
ADHD/Inattentive Type
ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
ADHD/Inattentive Type
1. Does not pay close attention to details, makes careless
mistakes
2. Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to
finish work or chores (because of failure to understand,
not defiance)
5. Often has trouble organizing activities
6. Often avoids or dislikes things that take a lot of mental
effort for a long period of time.
7. Often loses things needed for tasks and activities
8. Is often easily distracted
9. Is often forgetful in daily activities
ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive Type
1. Often fidgets with hands and feet or squirms in seat
2. Often gets up from seat
3. Often excessively runs about our climbs when not
appropriate
4. Often has trouble playing or doing leisure activities
quietly
5. Is on the go as if driven by a motor
6. Often talks excessively
7. Often blurts out answers before questions have
been finished
8. Often has trouble waiting his turn
9. Often interrupts or intrudes on others
Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD)
Causes
o Heredity
o Smoking, drinking and drug use
during pregnancy
o Prematurity
o Exposed to Lead
o Nutritional Triggers
Eating Disorders - any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by
abnormal or disturbed eating habits (such as anorexia nervosa).