MNAMosby’s Long Term Care Assistant Chapter 43Mental Health Problems

Basic Concepts

Mental relates to the mind

Stress

Mental health

Mental illness

Response or change in the body. Caused by emotional, physical, social or economic factors

Able to cope with and adjust to everyday stress

Unable to cope with or adjust to stress. Behavior and ability to function is impaired

Causes of Mental Illness

Unable to cope with stress

Chemical imbalances

Genetics

Drugs or substance abuse

Social and cultural factors

Anxiety Disorder

Vague, uneasy feeling

Sense of danger or harm

Some anxiety is normal

High and constant levels of anxiety is not normal

Panic Disorder

Highest level of anxiety

Intense feeling of terror or dread

Unable to function

Panic attacks can last for 10minutes or longer

Phobias

Intense fear, panic or dread

Avoids what is feared

Unable to function if faced with fear.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive -Recurrent, unwanted thought, idea or image

Compulsion – repeating an act over and over. Ritual

OCD

Schizophrenia

“Split Mind”

Sever

Chronic

Disabling

Schizophrenia Includes:

Psychosis

Delusions

Hallucinations

Unable to know real from not real

A false belief

Seeing, hearing, smelling or feeling something that is not real.“voices” are most common

Schizophrenia Includes:

Paranoia

Delusions of Grandeur

Delusions of Persecution

Has delusions. Is suspicious about a person or situation.

Exaggerated belief about one’s importance, powers or talents

Exaggerated belief that one is being mistreated, harassed, abused

Schizophrenia

Usually begins in men in their early 20s

In women between the age of 20 – 30.

Some attempt suicide

Will exhibit unusual behaviors:

GrimacingSitting for hours w/o moving, speaking Involuntary movementsTalking to themselves

Mood Disorders

Feelings and emotions

Bipolar - two poles or ends

Severe extremes in mood

Extreme High – mania

Extreme Low - depression

ChronicTends to run n

families

Depression

Very sad

Losses interest in day to day activities

Suicide is a risk

Body functions are depressed

Common in older persons

Often overlooked or misdiagnosed

Personality Disorders

Rigid and maladaptive behavior

Does not function well in society

Personality Disorders

Antisocial personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder

At least 18 y/o

Has poor judgment and Lacks responsibility

Hostile

Lacking in morals and ethics. No guilt

Does not learn from experience

Problems with moods, relationships, self image

Intense bouts of anger, depression

Aggression, self injury

Drug or substance abuse is common

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Over uses or depends on alcohol or drugs

Physical and mental health are effected

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Alcoholism

Alcohol slows down brain activity

Effects judgment and reaction time

Damages brain,liver, heart, stomach, kidneys

Chronic

No cure

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Drug abuse

Interferes with normal brain function

Long term effects on brain

Develops a tolerance

Will have withdrawal symptoms w/o the substance

Treatment for Mental Health

Problems

Psychotherapy

Family counseling

Exploring thoughts and feelings

Drugs

Communication is important