mental health is HEALTH




























Nar-Anon Family Groups
A 12-Step Program for Family & Friends of Addicts





mental health is as important as physical health!!!
AND
MENTAL HEALTH IS NOT MENTAL ILLNESS
The information on this page is to help one understand particular health issues that are of concern. Although the presenting problem may be mental, there is interconnection with other health matters such as financial, physical, occupational, etc. Also, resources are provided to help self and others on their wellness journey.





















MOOD DISORDERS
Mood Disorders are considered when individuals have a distorted outlook on life that impairs their ability to function and interferes with their activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, etc.
DEPRESSION

- an intense and persistent sadness
- a broad spectrum of symptoms that range in severity for people where they feel sad, discouraged, and hopeless
- lack of motivation
BIPOLAR DISORDER/MANIC-DEPRESSION

- mania (defining feature) is a state of extreme elation and agitation
- no need for sleep
- may become extremely talkative, behave recklessly, and/or attempt to take on many tasks simultaneously
- mood cycles (depression/mania)


ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety Disorders are the most frequently occurring class of mental disorders and are often co-morbid (multiple diseases happening at the same time) with other mental disorders.
Symptoms: manifest similarly in the various anxiety disorders
- apprehension, avoidance, and cautiousness regarding a potential/perceived threat, danger, or other negative event
- motivates one to take actions that enable aversion to potential future problems
- motivates one to avoid certain things that could lead to future trouble
- characterized by excessive and persistent fear (instantaneous reaction to an imminent threat)
- disturbances in behavior due to considerable distress


PANIC

- experience recurrent (more than one) and unexpected panic attacks, along with at least one month of persistent concern about additional panic attacks, worry over the consequences of the attacks, or self-defeating changes in behavior related to the attacks
- A panic attack is defined as a period of extreme fear or discomfort that develops abruptly and reaches a peak within 10 minutes. Its symptoms include accelerated heart rate, sweating, trembling, choking sensations, hot flashes or chills, dizziness or lightheadedness, fears of losing control or going crazy, and fears of dying

PHOBIA

- some people with a specific phobia may go to great lengths to avoid the phobic stimulus
- experiences excessive, distressing, and persistent fear or anxiety about a specific object or situation
- the fear and anxiety is disruptive to the person’s life
| Phobia | Feared object or situation |
| Aerophobia | Flying |
| Arachnophobia | Spiders |
| Claustrophobia | Enclosed spaces |
| Cynophobia | Dogs |
| Hematophobia | Blood |
| Ophidiophobia | Snakes |
| Taphophobia | Being buried alive |
| Trypanophobia | Injections |
| Xenophobia | Strangers |
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)

- a relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and pointless worry and apprehension
- often worry about routine, everyday things, even though their concerns are unjustified
- highly comorbid with mood disorders and other anxiety disorders
- tends to be chronic (persistent, continual)
- appears to increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes, especially in people with preexisting heart conditions

OBSESSIVE – COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)

Obsessions: characterized as persistent, unintentional, and unwanted thoughts and urges that are highly intrusive, unpleasant, and distressing.
Compulsions: repetitive and ritualistic acts that are typically carried out primarily as a means to minimize the distress that obsessive thoughts trigger; reduce the likelihood of a feared event; not performed out of pleasure.
- elevate the unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors to a status so intense that these thoughts and behaviors disrupt daily life
- experience thoughts and urges that are intrusive and unwanted (obsessions) and/or the need to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions)
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)


intrusive and distressing memories of the traumatic event and not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD
- flashbacks: the individual relives the event and behaves as if the event were occurring at that moment
- avoidance of stimuli connected to the event
- persistently negative emotional states (e.g., fear, anger, guilt, and shame)
- feelings of detachment from others
- irritability
- proneness toward outbursts
- an exaggerated startle response (jumpiness)
Source: Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W.J., & Lovett, M.D. (2020). Psychology 2e, OpenStax: Houston, TX
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THOUGHT DISORDER

Additional information
Peer pressure happens at all ages. Although the title presents itself to kids, adults also experience it especially when the choice is made to focus on HEALING from harm. Healing is a #journey #process and it’s essential to well-being so dare to be different. Glean from what is said to the kids since it is beneficial for all ages.






























