What to Look For and What You Can Do:
What to Look For:
-Anxiety Disorders¹
- People with anxiety disorders respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread. They have physical reactions to those objects, such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed if a person: ¹
- Has an inappropriate response to a situation¹
- Cannot control the response¹
- Has an altered way of life due to the anxiety¹
- Anxiety disorders include: ¹
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder¹
- Panic Disorder¹
- Phobias¹
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) ¹
-Behavioral Disorders¹
- Behavioral disorders involve a pattern of disruptive behaviors in children that last for at least 6 months and cause problems in school, at home and in social situations. Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but behavior disorders are more serious. ¹
- Behavioral disorders may involve: ¹
- Inattention¹
- Hyperactivity¹
- Impulsivity¹
- Defiant behavior¹
- Drug use¹
- Criminal activity¹
- Behavioral Disorders include: ¹
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ¹
-Eating Disorders¹
- Eating disorders involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food. ¹
- The most common eating disorders include: ¹
- Anorexia Nervosa¹
- Binge Eating¹
- Bulimia¹
-Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders¹
- Mental health problems and substance use disorders sometimes occur together. This is because certain illegal drugs can cause people with an addiction to experience one or more symptoms of a mental health problem¹
- Mental health problems can sometimes lead to alcohol or drug use, as some people with a mental health problem may misuse these substances as a form of self-medication¹
- Mental and substance use disorders share some underlying causes, including changes in brain composition, genetic vulnerabilities, and early exposure to stress or trauma¹
- More than one in four adults living with serious mental health problems also has a substance use problem. Substance use problems occur more frequently with certain mental health problems, including: ¹
- Depression¹
- Anxiety disorders¹
- Schizophrenia¹
- Personality disorders¹
- Substance Use Disorders¹
- Substance use disorders can refer to substance use or substance dependence. Symptoms of substance use disorders may include: ¹
- Behavioral changes, such as: ¹
- Drop in attendance and performance at work or school¹
- Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities) ¹
- Using substances in physically hazardous situations such as while driving or operating a machine¹
- Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors¹
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns¹
- Unexplained change in personality or attitude¹
- Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts
- Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness¹
- Lacking of motivation¹
- Appearing fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason¹
- Physical changes, such as: ¹
- Bloodshot eyes and abnormally sized pupils¹
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain¹
- Deterioration of physical appearance¹
- Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing¹
- Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination¹
- Social changes, such as: ¹
- Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies¹
- Legal problems related to substance use¹
- Unexplained need for money or financial problems¹
- Using substances even though it causes problems in relationships¹
- Recovering from Mental Health Problems and Substance Use¹
- Someone with a mental health problem and substance use disorder must treat both issues. Treatment for both mental health problems and substance use disorders may include rehabilitation, medications, support groups, and talk therapy.
-Mood Disorders¹
- These disorders, also called affective disorders, may involve: ¹
- Feeling sad all the time¹
- Losing interest in important parts of life¹
- Fluctuating between extreme happiness and extreme sadness¹
- The most common mood disorders are: ¹
- Depression¹
- Bipolar Disorder¹
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ¹
- Self-harm¹
-Personality Disorders¹
- People with personality disorders experience patterns of behavior, feelings, and thinking that can: ¹
- Interfere with a person’s life¹
- Create problems at work and school¹
- Cause issues in personal and social relationships¹
- Personality disorders include: ¹
- Antisocial Personality Disorder¹
- Borderline Personality Disorder¹
-Psychotic Disorders¹
- People with psychotic disorders lose contact with reality and experience a range of extreme symptoms that usually includes:
- Hallucinations—hearing or seeing things that are not real, such as voices¹
- Delusions—believing things that are not true¹
- However, these symptoms can occur in people with other health problems, including bipolar disorder, dementia, substance abuse disorders, or brain tumors. ¹
- Psychotic disorders include: ¹
- Schizophrenia¹
-Suicidal Behavior¹
- Suicide causes immeasurable pain, suffering, and loss to individuals, families, and communities nationwide. On average, 100 Americans die by suicide each day. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds and more than 8 million adults in the United States had serious thoughts of suicide within the past 12 months. ¹
- Warning Signs of Suicide¹
- If someone you know is showing one or more of the following behaviors, he or she may be thinking about suicide. Don’t ignore these warning signs. Get help immediately. ¹
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself¹
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live¹
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain¹
- Talking about being a burden to others¹
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs¹
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly¹
- Sleeping too little or too much¹
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated¹
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge¹
- Displaying extreme mood swings¹
DOES SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAVE SOME OF THESE WARNING SIGNS?
What You Can Do:
- School
- Contact the guidance department and they can help guide you
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- www.namisummit.org
- Information and Resources
- Support Groups
- Programs and Services
- HELPLINE: 330-252-1188
- www.namisummit.org
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline¹
- 1.800.273.TALK (8255). Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ¹
- INFO LINE: Bringing people and services together
- Call 211 for any needs; they are available 24/7
- http://211summit.org/
¹U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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