Defining the Disorder
A type of disorder characterized by an ongoing pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.
What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
An accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, and sweating are common physical signs of this intense mental health response.
What is a panic attack?
Taking deep breaths, going for a walk, or listening to music are all examples of this type of healthy activity used to manage stress.
What are coping skills?
True or False: Mental disorders only affect a small portion of the population.
What is False?
(Statistics show they are quite common).
This is the official name of the manual used by mental health professionals to classify and diagnose mental disorders.
What is the DSM-5?
This condition involves overwhelming worry and fear that interferes with daily life, going beyond normal, temporary anxiety.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?
The component of OCD that involves the unwanted, repetitive, and intrusive thoughts or sensations.
What is an obsession?
A widely used type of talking therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative or unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
True or False: People with serious mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, are usually violent and dangerous.
What is False?
(Studies show most are not, and are often the victims of violence themselves).
A lack of this specific neurotransmitter is often associated with mood disorders and OCD.
What is serotonin?
A serious condition defined by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs called mania and lows called depression.
What is bipolar disorder?
These perceptual disturbances, such as hearing voices when no one is present, are a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia.
What are hallucinations?
For many chronic mental illnesses, the most effective approach often involves a combination of medication and this type of professional help.
What is therapy?
True or False: Eating disorders only affect females.
What is False?
(They can affect people of all genders and ages).
The term for a child's natural disposition, which is an example of an inherited risk factor for mental health issues.
A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood and argumentative or defiant behavior directed toward authority figures.
What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)?
This is a period of at least two consecutive weeks characterized by a persistently depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure in activities, accompanied by several other specific symptoms that cause significant impairment in daily life
What is a major depressive episode?
This healthy, physical activity is often prescribed as a supplementary treatment to improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms.
What is exercise?
True or False: If a person with a maladaptive disorder "just tries harder" or has stronger willpower, they can overcome their symptoms without treatment.
What is False?
(They are legitimate health conditions requiring proper care).
The term for actions that interfere with an individual’s long-term goals, such as constantly scrolling social media instead of working on a project.
What are maladaptive behaviors?
This is a severe and chronic brain disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and other symptoms that result in significant social or occupational dysfunction.
What is schizophrenia?
A mental health condition where a person experiences real, distressing physical symptoms that may or may not have a medical cause, but are accompanied by excessive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the symptoms
What is somatoform?
A collaborative treatment where a trained professional helps individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe space to develop coping skills, resolve challenges, and improve overall mental well-being.
What is psychotherapy?
True or False: All maladaptive behaviors are a sign of a formal, diagnosable mental illness.
What is False?
(Everyone exhibits occasional maladaptive behaviors; a diagnosis requires a certain frequency, duration, and level of life impairment).
A commonly known organization that provides resources and raises awareness for mental illnesses nationwide.
What is NAMI?
or
What is NIMH?