Anxiety
What is anxiety?
The body reaction to stress.
What are eating disorders?
Serious illnesses involving severe disturbances in a person’s eating behaviors.
What is addictive behavior?
A compulsive, repetitive activity that continues even when it causes harm.
What is depression?
A serious mental disorder that affects how a person feels, thinks, acts, and views the world.
Which mental illness is associated with changes in brain structure and function, not just mood?
Depression
Can anxiety happen if anxiety doesn't go away for a long time?
YES! Anxiety can happen even without a current threat.
How can eating disorders affect a person’s mental health?
They increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder.
What makes addictive behavior difficult to stop?
Strong cravings or urges that overpower a person’s ability to control the behavior.
Why can depression affect anyone, regardless of age, race, income, or culture?
Because it is a medical illness influenced by multiple factors, not personal weakness or lifestyle.
Name one of the brain-regions most often linked to depression.
The Hippocampus, the Amygdala, or the Prefrontal Cortex.
What might happen if anxiety doesn’t go away for a long time?
It can start to interfere with your daily life.
Name two behavior that might signal the beginning of an eating disorder.
Becoming overly focused on losing weight, body shape, or controlling food.
Why is addictive behavior harmful even when it doesn’t involve drugs or alcohol?
Behaviors like gambling, gaming, shopping, or excessive internet use can damage health, relationships, and daily life.
What kinds of factors can contribute to depression according to research?
Genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
What is one way depression can physically change the brain?
It can reduce the volume or shrink the size of certain regions (like hippocampus or prefrontal cortex).
Name two body system that long-term anxiety can affect.
Sleep, immune system, digestive system, cardiovascular, or reproductive system.
How might someone’s thinking change when they begin developing an eating disorder?
They may become overly focused on calories, weight, or body shape, even when it harms their health.
What is two sign that someone might be developing an addictive behavior?
Neglecting responsibilities, avoiding people, or continuing the behavior despite negative consequences.
Why is depression considered more than just “feeling sad”?
It involves long-lasting changes in mood, thinking, and behavior that interfere with daily life.
What happens to the prefrontal cortex during depression?
It becomes less active, making thinking, focus, and decision-making harder.
Long-term anxiety can increase the risk of developing what type of mental health conditions?
Anxiety disorders or depression.
How can eating disorders impact a person’s emotional well-being?
They can cause shame, stress, isolation, or constant worry about food and weight.
Why do addictive behaviors often continue even after they cause serious problems?
The behavior temporarily provides relief or pleasure, making the brain want to repeat it despite consequences.
Why is depression a major public health concern in the United States?
Because it is one of the most common mental disorders, affecting millions of people each year.
How does chronic stress contribute to depression in the brain?
It releases stress hormones that can damage or weaken mood-regulating brain circuits.