Mental Health: Cognizant or Taboo to Young People Coláiste Choilm
Kate Sexton Lorraine O’ Connell Luke Gallagher
1
Comments Page
2
Contents Page Summary
4
Introduction
6
Experimental methods
8
Results
12
Statistical Analysis
18
Conclusions and Recommendations
23
Acknowledgements
24
Appendices
25
References
37
Childline
38
Teenfocus
39
Schizophrenia
40
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
42
Teen Depression
45
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
48
Social anxiety disorder
51
Panic disorder
54
Eating Disorders
56
Binge Eating
57
Bulimia Nervosa
60
Anorexia Nervosa
62
3
Summary Our project investigates the issue of mental health in young people. We got our idea from the newspapers and television programs regarding mental health which has been a very topical issue at the moment in Ireland. We decided to choose this project because we feel that it is an important issue to address and we wanted to make a difference and help in some way. We think that We did a study to determine if young people today are aware of common mental health disorders. We conducted surveys in both our own school and another school (Regina Mundi) to gather young people’s opinion on the subject. We decided to use the second school to prove that it is not just our schools students who feel they are not fully informed on mental health topics. The results from the surveys are shown in the results section and in the statistical analysis section. To develop out project we decided that since we determined that young people don’t feel sufficiently informed about mental health we would do several things to spread awareness of different disorders and to become more socially aware of the issue. We covered as many aspects as we could to reach as many people as possible. Firstly, we got an ISPCC speaker to come to school and discuss organisations that deal with mental health and she offered huge insight into what they are for and what they do. We found this really positive and feedback we got from the transition year students was that they found the experience informative and helpful but one of the most recurring questions from them after the talk was ‘what are mental health disorders?’, In addition to the talk and questionnaire we gave out cakes and hugs to promote a positive, healthy attitude throughout the school. This led us to the next part of the project, a web-designer kindly agreed to help us create a website to spread awareness of mental health issues. We did research and decided that we would discuss seven different mental health topic, these are; schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and eating disorders. We chose the disorders based on what we thought were the most relevant to young people. On each disorder we discussed- what it is, its causes, its symptoms and a positive not about overcoming the disorder. As well as that, we have enabled a video chat program which will allow people to chat face to face because it has been shown that face to face interaction is hugely important because a person is more likely to open up and express themselves. Our website is www.ahugeachday.com
4
In addition to our website we created a facebook page. When Elaine came to speak on behalf of ISPCC she mentioned that childline doesn’t believe in social networking for people under 18 and don’t acknowledge them on sights such as facebook. In contrast with the website, we decided to focus on as many positive topics as possible on our facebook page as we think that young people don't want to read about despair and doom all of the time. We concentrated more on positive quotes and notes on aspects we thought were important to address for example 'What is positive mental health'. We updated this page as often as possible with relevant quotes and information on several topics. The feedback from both the facebook page and the website has been very positive and we feel that they are certainly areas that could perhaps be expanded on in the future. Our facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/ahugeachday We also thought that fundraising for childline would also be a good input for our project. We had a bake sale at our school show and raised 115euro for childline. We also discovered that our bake sale was a great way for people to get talking about childline and other, similar organisations. Many people also asked about our project and found out idea really interesting.
5
Introduction We realised from the beginning of our project that the majority of young people don’t feel fully educated on the topic of mental health. We also realise that we may not reach every student out there who wants to and needs to learn more. What is important to us in doing the project is to help as many people as we can, we hope that the project has helped at least some people, in some way, whether its threw our website, facebook page, the bake sale we held or the stand here at the RDS. The aim of our project was to determine that there was a problem and to try to solve it for at least a few people. What we hope will happen is that people will get talking, and people will get helping other, and most importantly that people will become aware of the very serious issue that effects so many people. When analysing surveys we noticed that 'mental health' is used mostly as a buzz word that was hugely misunderstood. We felt this was a key area to address from the beginning. In addition, we noticed that there is a strong desire for knowledge around the topic as a whole and to be broken down into different sections. Mental illness is a widespread problem that does not discriminate between genders, or races or even age range, this meant we needed to choose specific areas to study for our investigation. We decided to choose to survey students in 4th year in schools in Cork. We have broken our project into three key areasWe got as much feedback on mental health as possible through surveys from transitions years in schools around cork, we then decided what steps we could take in response from the surveys and then we concentrated on spreading awareness and promoting a positive mental atmosphere in school, as well as giving young people the availability to educate themselves on general topics and specific disorders as it seems that there is a need for accurate information in this area. We came to the conclusion from our surveys that young people don't know the meaning of ‘mental health’, the majority of people thought mental health was only depression and didn't know about other disorders. It was also clear that they found it difficult to express what 'positive mental health' was. This is why we organized for the ISPCC representative to come and speak to some students and also the reason for our project.
6
To display our scientific proof that mental health is not being taught sufficiently in this country we decided to make a survey that would allow us to represent information through statistical analysis but also that would get qualitative data. This provided us with certainty that people are unsure about topics. For example, asking ‘List the mental health disorders that you are aware of’ gave us insight into what disorders people have heard about, which, as we expected was not a lot of topics.
7
Experimental methods Surveys We did a study to determine if young people today feel they are are aware of common mental health disorders. We conducted surveys in both our own school and another school (Regina Mundi) to gather young people’s opinion on the subject. In our survey we asked both direct ‘yes/no’ questions and questions which provided rich sources of information. This meant that some information could be statistically analysed but some couldn’t. The purpose of putting questions that could not be statistically analysed was to get qualitative data to enrich our understanding of people’s knowledge on mental health and their opinions on what’s effective and what’s not. Question 4 of our survey asked ‘Would you talk to someone if you had an issue’, this is a question that has one answer- yes or no. To get more information from people we asked ‘If yes, please choose…’ and we gave 6 options of common people who one might turn to with a concern and we gave an option of ‘other’ to add a different person/people. The results are as shown-
Answer to question 4 in Coláiste choilm 32.00%
7.00%
10.00%
An Organisation 20.00%
A Teacher Guidance Councilor
27.00%
Parent 46.00% Sibling
22.00%
Family Member Other
8
Answer to question 4 in Regina Mundi 8.00% 35.00%
5.00% 5.00%
An Organisation A Teacher 32.00%
Guidance Councilor Parent
24.00%
Sibling 14.00%
Family Member Other
What was interesting to note in the answers from Regena Mundi, all of the ‘other’ section was answered ‘a friend’ in the space provided to list a different option.
Website This led us to the next part of the project, a web-designer kindly agreed to help us create a website to spread awareness of mental health issues. We did research and decided that we would discuss seven different mental health topic, these are; schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and eating disorders. We chose the disorders based on what we thought were the most relevant to young people. On each disorder we discussed- what it is, its causes, its symptoms and a positive not about overcoming the disorder. As well as that, we have enabled a video chat program which will allow people to chat face to face because it has been proven that face to face interaction is hugely important because a person is more likely to open up and express themselves. Being a teenager is hard. You're under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family and make big decisions. You can't avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem. We wanted to address the issue of mental health in a realistic, relevant and age appropriate manner. We want to Present mental health as a distinct concept integral to our daily lives, the maintenance of which is vital to physical health and Challenge young people’s attitudes and misconceptions as regards mental illness. During the
9
survey process we looked critically at society’s attitude to mental illness and the factors which influence such attitudes and found people are not as informed regarding mental health as they should be. Our aims in this website is to Make young people aware of the mental health services and facilities available should they, a member of their family, or a friend require to avail of same and considering mental health problems are on the increase, it is now more important than ever for young people to be introduced to the concept of positive mental health. Each of us is not alone in our struggles to achieve good mental health. In fact, mental illness is a global challenge. We often underestimate the impact mental health has on our own wellbeing. And its impact on the world is often overlooked. The website a Hug A Day (coming from the statement that Hugs raise your body's level of oxytocin, a hormone that encourages bonding. A University of Claremont study suggests that men and women with higher levels of oxytocin enjoy greater satisfaction with their lives than those with low levels of the hormone. The study also suggested that oxytocin encourages bonding, empathy and feelings of trust in women and men.) is a mental health resource pack which is designed for 14 – 18 year olds but can be used with any group or setting.
Facebook Page (A Hug A day) What we did: We made a Facebook page to promote positive mental health and give information notes on general mental health topics. We wrote notes about different topics we felt people didn’t know about or felt that they found difficult to define. We also posted quotes and pictures promoting positive thoughts and attitudes. Lastly, we made a poll to determine if people believe they are educated enough on the topic of mental health. We chose not to zone in on specific disorders on Facebook because we were trying to keep the page focused on positive thoughts and felt it would be more effective to discuss positive, informative notes on general topics such as “positive mental health” and the great work TeenFocus does for young people. If people then felt that they were interested to learn more about mental health topics we have a link to our website discussing topics like disorders in more detail. We made the page because Childline disapproves of Facebook for under 16s and we noticed they do not acknowledge teenagers on their organisation page and we think that although not being on Facebook is perhaps good advice, we think it is naïve to
10
believe that they will delete their account. We also feel it is an area which they could provide huge support for people but they are not taking advantage of that opportunity.
Why we wrote notes: We wrote notes to accurately inform people on what mental health is. We wrote about becoming more aware of their thoughts and feelings in several notes. We think this will help them to deal with issues they have and to think more positively in difficult situations, towards other people, themselves and to maintain a positive mental state. We found people thought the quotes and pictures were very positive and helped to back up our notes.
What we felt was important: Firstly, we wrote about positive mental health because we felt that this was the worst answered question on our survey and we saw this as an alarming area that should be addressed from the beginning. We made a poll to expand our results and see if people think they’re sufficiently educated about mental health. Our results were that 33% believe they are educated enough, while 67% disagree and say they are not educated enough. This reinforced our results from teenagers in schools in Cork that young people aren’t properly educated on the topic of mental health and its many different areas and disorders. We realised from our surveys that people knew very little about general information about mental health, we thought it was important to discuss this in notes as well. We hope that schools will take these results as an alarming issue and perhaps discuss these topics with students in PSE classes as a module. We felt it was important to make our page a source of positivity on Facebook. Facebook should not be a space where people are totally concerned with how they appear to others or where people are afraid they will be criticised by others or even bullied over posts or pictures. We hope people found our page a good addition to Facebook that provided an informal way to learn about mental health or to just read something positive and hopeful rather than the despair and troubles that seems to be the topics chosen by other pages and websites.
11
Results Surveys We did a study to determine if young people today feel they are aware of common mental health disorders. We conducted surveys in both our own school and another school (Regina Mundi) to gather young people’s opinion on the subject. In our survey we asked both direct ‘yes/no’ questions and questions which provided rich sources of information. This meant that some information could be statistically analysed but some couldn’t. The purpose of putting questions that could not be statistically analysed was to get qualitative data to enrich our understanding of people’s knowledge on mental health and their opinions on what’s effective and what’s not. Question 4 of our survey asked ‘Would you talk to someone if you had an issue’, this is a question that has one answer- yes or no. To get more information from people we asked ‘If yes, please choose…’ and we gave 6 options of common people who one might turn to with a concern and we gave an option of ‘other’ to add a different person/people. The results are as shown-
Answer to question 4 in Coláiste choilm 32.00%
7.00%
10.00%
An Organisation 20.00%
A Teacher Guidance Councilor
27.00%
Parent 46.00% Sibling
22.00%
Family Member Other
12
Answer to question 4 in Regina Mundi 8.00% 35.00%
5.00% 5.00%
An Organisation A Teacher 32.00%
Guidance Councilor Parent
24.00%
Sibling 14.00%
Family Member Other
What was interesting to note in the answers from Regina Mundi, all of the ‘other’ section was answered ‘a friend’ in the space provided to list a different option.
Raw Data from surveys Question one: Do you know any organisation you could contact if you feel unsafe and want to get some help? (Answers from Colaiste Choilm)
13
(Answers from other school)
Question two: Do you believe that young people are fully informed about mental health in Ireland today? (Answers from Colaiste Choilm)
14
(Answers from other school)
Question four: Would you talk to someone if you had an issue? (Answers from Colaiste Choilm)
15
(Answers from other school)
Question five: Do you think disorders such as depression is more prominent in males or females? (Answers from Colaiste Choilm)
16
(Answers from other school)
Other qualitative data from surveys The Qualitative data from the surveys proved to be very useful in our website and facebook page. The lack of knowledge and misinterpretation of mental illness disorders and their meaning further supported our hypothesis that young people are not sufficiently informed about mental health issues. We feel that this is a hugely important aspect to our project. The data collected here shows that young people are either misinformed or uneducated about the topic. This again reiterates the need for a proper education arrangement in this matter.
17
Statistical Analysis Question one
Hypothesis: Pupils are not aware of organisations they could contact if they feel unsafe. Null hypothesis: Pupils are aware of organisations they could contact if they feel unsafe. P Value= 0.0378 or 3% Therefore we can reject the null hypothesis. This suggests that’s students are not aware enough of organisations that they can contact.
18
Question two
Hypothesis: Pupils are fully informed about mental health in Ireland today Null hypothesis: Pupils are not fully informed about mental health in Ireland today P Value= 0.7773 or 78% Therefore we cannot reject the null hypothesis. This means that students do not feel fully informed about mental health.
19
Question four
Hypothesis: Pupils would not talk to someone if they had an issue. Null hypothesis: Pupils would talk to someone if they had an issue. P Value= 0.2985 or 30% Therefore we cannot reject the null hypothesis. Data and t test indicate that perhaps students would talk to someone if they had an issue
20
Question 5
Hypothesis: Pupils think disorders are more prominent in females. Null hypothesis: Pupils don’t think disorders are more prominent in females. P Value= 0.1298 or 13% Therefore we cannot reject the null hypothesis.
21
Linking question two and four
The contingency table above shows that there is a strong relationship between the variables that are looked at.
22
Conclusions and Recommendations From the results of our surveys and response received from both the facebook page and the website it is clear that mental health is not taught effectively to young people today. Where so many aspects of education and awareness have improved there is a distinct downfall in this area of study. Young people are lacking the education on mental health and don’t know the signs to look out for. We feel the project overall was a success. What we hope has been shown from our results will have an impact on further education on this topic and it will become more highlighted to people that there is a requirement for sufficient education to be supplied to young people.
If we were to continue on or redo the project, a more in depth survey would be prepared and we would get a larger sample size to get results. We would concentrate on more statistical questions that we could analyse and perhaps do an oral questionnaire to get qualitative data. We felt that the qualitative data received from the survey taken was very useful and an important input to our understanding of peoples knowledge.
From both our raw data results and your statistical analysis results we can conclude that mental health is a taboo to young people today.
23
Acknowledgements We would like to thank the following people for their help; Ms Gleeson- Our project mentor that gave advice and help throughout the entire project. Ms Higgins- The guidance councillor that gave advice on the mental health issues on our website and also told us how important face to face interaction is which led to the video chat section on our website. Collette Hand- A lecturer in Human Molecular Genetics, that kindly provided us with useful information on depression. Signarama- for printing our board Our parents- For their continuous support throughout the project.
24
Appendices
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
References http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/ http://www.helpguide.org http://www.mayoclinic.com http://www.mental-health-today.com http://www.irishhealth.com http://www.webmd.com http://www.medicalnewstoday.com http://www.anxietybc.com http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org http://www.nimh.nih.gov http://www.bbc.co.uk http://ie.reachout.com Mental Health - Let’s Make it Happen, Action Briefing: Mental Health Policy. Amnesty International Irish Section, Ireland, 2006.
Food insecurity predicts mental health problems in adolescents. Katie A. McLaughlin, Jennifer Greif Green, Ph.D., Margarita Alegría, E. Jane Costello, Michael J. Gruber, Nancy A. Sampson, Ronald C. Kessler, 2012 USI Mental Health Awareness Week – What Makes You Smile, Denise McCarthy, 2012 Young People’s Mental Health: results from the lifestyle and coping survey. National Research Foundation, Ireland, 2004 Mental Health in Ireland: Awareness and Attitudes, HSE, 2007
37
Childline Childline is a free phone service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for people up to the age of 18 years old who are experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties. It’s there to help any young person who needs to talk to someone. The purpose of ISPCC Child Centred Support Services (Childline & Teenfocus) is to build psychological resilience among young. There are several ways to get in touch with childline; o Online Service o Texting Service o Phone Service Online Service Childline provides support via One to One live chat service online. Childline’s website www.childline.ie also has a support page which contains information about Childline, children’s rights and information on various support topics. It also has a public message board where young people can post messages which will be responded to as quickly as possible. The One to One chat is available 6-10pm every evening. Texting Service TEENTXT is a live, interactive, one to one text messaging support service for young people. By texting the word ‘talk’ to 50101 young people from anywhere in Ireland can avail of free confidential service. Phone Service There is a free phone service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Young people can call Childline on 1800 66 66 66. What we think is great about childline is that you can talk about whatever you like to the childline volunteer and they will never stop replying or hang up on you. They won’t tell you what to do but will help make a solution of your own.
38
Teenfocus The purpose of Teenfocus is to help young people resolve their difficulties, prevent early school leaving where possible and to build up their coping skills. Options for your people in the Teenfocus programme have a number of communication options. These include; o Face to Face - This can be done in the young person's home, school or other place they choose. We meet with the young person weekly at a time that suits them. o Over the web - Many young people today are familiar with communicating over the Internet and therefore may feel more comfortable talking about what is going on for them using the web. Web support can also make it easier for young people who live away from services to get the support they need. o Over the phone -This kind of support allows the young person to make contact with ISPCC without needing to meet face to face. As young people today use the phone to communicate, this kind of support allows young people to feel more comfortable in communicating with us. o Mentoring Service- This is an informal support and the concept of the Mentor being a role model and supporter of the young person. Mentoring a young person usually happens over a 6 month period.
39
Schizophrenia What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a long-term mental disorder that affects peoples perception of reality. A Swiss psychiatrist, Eugen Bleuler, coined the term "schizophrenia", it comes from the Greek words schizo (split) and phrene (mind) his term was not meant to convey the idea of split or multiple personality, a common misunderstanding- People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities. The definition of schizophrenia has continues to change, as scientists discover more about the disease. From research we have done we have come to an understanding that schizophrenia is a disturbance to the minds functions. This means there is a loss of contact with reality. The mind controls the basic functions of thinking, feeling (emotions), perception (the five senses) and behaviour. These functions ordinarily work together, enabling us to: •
Differentiate between what is real and what is fantasy
•
manage our anxiety levels
•
Our emotional responses
•
maintain a stable sense of who we are
•
establish and maintain relationships with others.
What causes schizophrenia? Scientists are still discovering more about the disorder and there is no one definite cause of schizophrenia. Several different factors are believed to cause this diseaseGenetic links. Although schizophrenia has a hereditary component, it is only influence. About 60% of schizophrenics have no family members with the disorder. Damage to the brain during pregnancy or birth. Low oxygen levels during birth (from prolonged labour or premature birth) Stress. High levels of stress are believed to trigger schizophrenia by increasing the body’s production of the hormone cortisol.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? Delusions- this is a belief that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality. For example feeling people are following or trying to hurt them, believing other people can read their minds, or beliefs that they have special powers or abilities 40
Hallucinations– hearing voices, smelling, feeling or seeing something that isn’t there. Disorganized speech- The individual speaks in ways that are hard to understand. Sentences may have no connection to the topic of conversation or their speech may be completely incomprehensible. Catatonic behaviour- This can be expressed in many different ways. In short, the individual behaves in ways that seem inappropriate or strange to other people. Negative symptoms- Individual have a lack of motivation or interest and decreased emotional expression Individuals may lose interest in attending to their own personal hygiene, have little interest in interacting with others, and rarely seem to feel or express strong emotions.
Positive Note Treatment for the disorder continues to improve. With medication, therapy, and a strong support network, many people with schizophrenia are able to control their symptoms, gain greater independence, and lead fulfilling lives. If you ever come across the disorder yourself and know somebody who has it learning about schizophrenia and its treatment will allow you to make informed decisions about how best to manage the illness, work toward recovery, and handle setbacks effectively.
41
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder regarded as uncontrollable, unwanted obsessive thoughts and behaviour that you feel compelled to perform. Just because you have obsessive thoughts or perform compulsive behaviours does not mean that you have obsessive-compulsive disorder. With OCD, these thoughts and behaviours cause tremendous distress, take up a lot of time, and interfere with your daily life and relationships. OCD has two main features: Obsessions and Compulsions. Obsessions: Obsessions are involuntary, seemingly uncontrollable thoughts, images, or impulses that occur over and over again in your mind. The person does not want to have these ideas, finds them disturbing and intrusive, and usually recognizes that they don't really make sense. In OCD, it is as though the brain gets stuck on a particular thought or urge and just can't let go. People with OCD often say the symptoms feel like a case of mental hiccups that won't go away. Unfortunately, these obsessive thoughts are automatic, frequent, upsetting or distressing, and difficult to control or get rid of. Common obsessions include, but are not limited to: fears about dirt, germs and contamination. Fear of acting out violent or aggressive thoughts or impulses. Unreasonable fears of harming others, especially loved ones. Abhorrent blasphemous or sexual thoughts. Inordinate concern with order, arrangement or symmetry. Inability to discard useless or worn out possessions. Fears that things are not safe, especially household appliances. Compulsions: Compulsions are repetitive behaviours that you feel obliged to act upon. Usually, compulsions are performed in an attempt to make obsessions go away. However, the relief never lasts, they become more demanding and time-consuming. Carrying out a compulsion reduces the person's anxiety and makes the urge to perform the compulsion again stronger each time. Just as with obsessions, there are many types of compulsions. Common compulsions include excessive washing and cleaning, checking things, repetitive actions such as touching, counting, arranging and hoarding, ritualistic behaviours that attempt to ease an obsession.
42
What causes obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? The cause of OCD is not known exactly but it is likely to result from a combination of factors and the causes for one person may be different from another. The cause of obsessive-compulsive disorder isn't fully understood. It is mostly agreed that it is most likely a combination of biological, psychological, genetic and possibly circumstantial factors.
Biology. OCD may be a result of changes in your body's own natural chemistry or brain functions. OCD also may have a genetic component, but specific genes have yet to be identified.
Environment. OCD may stem from behaviour-related habits that you learned over time.
Insufficient serotonin. An insufficient level of serotonin, one of your brain's chemical messengers, may contribute to obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder who take medications that improve the action of serotonin often have fewer OCD symptoms.
Genetics - people whose parent or sibling has/had OCD have a significantly higher risk of developing it themselves. However, no gene has been identified as being linked to OCD.
Emotional upheaval - some experts believe an emotional upheaval, such as bereavement may be contributory factor in OCD.
What are the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? There are different symptoms for people with obsessive thoughts and compulsive thoughts. A person can experience these together or separately depending on the individual. For the majority, OCD can be effectively controlled and treated. Common obsessive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include: Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others. Fear of causing harm to yourself or others. Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images. Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas. Fear of losing or not having things you might need.
43
Order and symmetry: the idea that everything must line up “just right.” Superstitions; excessive attention to something considered lucky or unlucky.
Common compulsive behaviours in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include: Excessive double-checking of things, such as locks, appliances, and switches. Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they’re safe. Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety. Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning. Ordering or arranging things “just so.” Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear. Accumulating “junk” such as old newspapers or empty food containers.
Positive Note Treatment for the disorder continues to improve. With medication, therapy, and a strong support network, many people with OCD are able to cope with their illness.
44
Teen Depression What is Teen Depression? Depression is defined as a condition of mental disturbance, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life, often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. Depression is different from normal sadness in that it interferes with day-to-day life it affects many aspects of your life for example study, eat, sleep, and ability to have fun. Teen Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger. Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatment they need. This is why knowing the warning signs and symptoms of depression is so important
What causes teen depression? Teen depression is the result of a combination of factors and the cause varies from one person to another. Depression is not just the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, and is not simply cured with medication. Experts believe that biological aspects, psychological aspects, and social factors can contribute to teen depression separately or in combination. Biology. Depression is thought to be caused by a difference in the structure and function of a person’s brain that controls the intensity of sad or irritable moods. Environmental. It is clear that some people develop depression from living on a stressful environment. People can develop depression if they are unhappy with the environment at home, school or in their community and feel powerless to make any change to it. Genetics. People whose parent or sibling has/had OCD have a significantly higher risk of developing it themselves. However, no gene has been identified as being linked to OCD. Emotional upheaval. Experts believe an emotional upheaval, such as bereavement can be a leading contribution to depression. Psychological. A teenager may be hesitant to open up. He or she may be ashamed or afraid of being misunderstood. Alternatively, depressed teens may simply have find it difficult expressing their feelings, this is another reason why it is so important to learn about the disorder and the different symptoms
45
What are the symptoms of teen depression? Depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults. Considering how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different the teen is acting from his or her usual self is the key to recognising symptoms. Signs and symptoms of depression in teens:
Sadness or hopelessness Irritability, anger, or hostility Tearfulness or frequent crying Withdrawal from friends and family Loss of interest in activities Changes in eating and sleeping habits
Restlessness and agitation Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Lack of enthusiasm and motivation Fatigue or lack of energy Difficulty concentrating Thoughts of death or suicide
Key differences between adult and teen depression: Irritable or angry mood –Irritability, rather than sadness, is often noted in teens. A depressed teenager may be grouchy, hostile, easily irritated, or prone to angry outbursts. Unexplained aches and pains – Depressed teens often complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomach aches. If a medical test does not identify a problem, these pains may indicate depression. Extreme sensitivity to criticism – Depressed teens often become overwhelmed by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. Withdrawing from some, but not all people – While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd of people
Positive Note There’s a lot you can do to change how you feel. With help and support, you can overcome depression and get your life back. With medication, therapy, and a strong support network, many people with depression are able to overcome their illness.
46
The key to recovery is to start small and take things one day at a time. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day.
47
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless. Feeling stuck with a constant sense of danger and painful memories is often an issue for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It can seem like you'll never get over what happened or feel ‘normal’ again
What causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually caused by any traumatic event that feels unpredictable and uncontrollable. It is important to know that a traumatic event it can affect those who personally experience the catastrophe, those who witness it, and those who help to clean up (emergency service workers etc.). It can also occur in the friends or family members of those who went through the traumatic experience. PTSD can also develop from a number of other factors. These include: Previous traumatic experiences, especially in early life Family history of PTSD or depression History of physical or sexual abuse History of substance abuse History of depression, anxiety, or another mental illness High level of stress in everyday life Lack of support after the trauma Lack of coping skill
48
What are the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually, or develop over a long period of time. Sometimes symptoms arise from something that reminds you of the original traumatic event, such as a noise, an image, certain words, a place or a smell. There is no one symptom for PTSD as everyone experiences the disorder differently; experts have suggested that the illness has three groups; o Re-experiencing the traumatic event. o Avoiding reminders of the trauma. o Increased anxiety and emotional arousal.
 Re-experiencing the traumatic event includes-Distressing, upsetting memories of the event -Flashbacks of the event -Disturbing nightmares -Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma -Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, -nausea, muscle tension, sweating)
 Avoiding reminders of the trauma includes-Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma -Experiencing a numb feeling, loss of interest in activities and life in general -Feeling detached from others and emotionally unsettled -Having no sense of some or ambition for the future
 Increased anxiety and emotional arousal includes-Difficulty sleeping -Irritability or outbursts of rage
49
-Difficulty concentrating -Feeling jumpy and easily startled
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder can sometimes be different in young children in particular but also for teens. These include; Fear of being separated from a parent Losing previously-acquired skills (toilet training ect) Trouble sleeping and nightmares without recognizable content New phobias and anxieties that seem unrelated to the trauma Acting out the trauma through play, stories, or drawings Aches and pains with no apparent cause Irritability and aggression
Positive Note There’s a lot you can do to change how you feel. By seeking treatment, reaching out for support, and developing new coping skills, you can overcome PTSD and move on with your life. The key to recovery is to start small and take things one day at a time.
50
Social anxiety disorder What is social anxiety disorder? Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is mental health condition in which a person has an intense fear of certain social situations. Social anxiety disorder causes people to be so frightened of embarrassing themselves that they go to great lengths to avoid social situations, especially situations that are unfamiliar or in which feel they’ll be watched or judged by others. These social situations may be so frightening and stressful for them that they get anxious just thinking about them. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social situations. As a result of the fear, the person endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. Social anxiety, or social phobia, is more than just shyness or occasional nerves, it is the fear of being scrutinized, judged, or embarrassed in public. You may be afraid that people will think badly of you or that you won’t measure up in comparison to others. And even though you probably realize that your fears of being judged are at least somewhat irrational and overblown, you still can’t help feeling anxious.
What causes social anxiety disorder? Experts believe environmental and genetic factors can contribute social anxiety distortion. Biology. A structure in the brain called the amygdala (uh-MIG-duh-luh) may play a role in controlling the fear response. People who have an overactive amygdala may have a heightened fear response, causing increased anxiety in social situations. Genetics. Anxiety disorders tend to run in families. However, it isn't entirely clear how much of this may be due to genetics and how much is due to learned behaviour. Emotional upheaval. Experts believe an emotional upheaval is a leading contribution to social anxiety disorder. People who experience teasing, bullying, rejection, ridicule or humiliation may be more prone to social anxiety disorder. In addition, other negative events in life, such as family conflict or sexual abuse, may be associated with social anxiety disorder. Brain chemistry. Natural chemicals in your body may play a role in social anxiety disorder. For instance, an imbalance in the brain chemical serotonin (ser-oh-TOE-nin)
51
may be a factor. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and emotions, among other things. People with social anxiety disorder may be extrasensitive to the effects of serotonin.
What are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder? Just because you occasionally get nervous in social situations doesn’t mean you have social anxiety disorder or social phobia. Symptoms for social anxiety disorder can be broken into three groups. Emotional symptoms Physical symptoms Behavioural symptoms
Emotional symptoms include-Excessive self-consciousness and anxiety in everyday social situations -Intense worry for days, weeks, or even months before an upcoming social situation -Extreme fear of being watched or judged by others, especially people you don’t know -Fear that you’ll act in ways that that will embarrass or humiliate yourself -Fear that others will notice that you’re nervous
Physical symptoms include-Blushing -Shortness of breath -Cold/ clammy hands -Upset stomach/ nausea -Trembling or shaking -Racing heart or tightness in chest
52
-Sweating -Feeling dizzy or faint
Behavioural symptoms include- Avoiding social situations to a degree that limits your activities or disrupts your life -Staying quiet or hiding in the background in order to escape notice and embarrassment -A need to always bring a buddy along with you wherever you go -Drinking before social situations in order to soothe your nerves
Positive Note There are different treatment options to overcome social anxiety disorder; these include self-help and professional treatments as the best treatment approach for social anxiety disorder varies from person to person. One of the most helpful things you can do to overcome social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is to face the social situations you fear rather than avoid them. The key to recovery is seeking help and support to overcome the disorder and taking it one step at a time.
53
Panic disorder What is panic disorder? People with panic disorder have sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes. These are called ‘panic attacks’. A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you're losing control, having a heart attack or even dying. Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatment they need. Because of this it is important to know the signs and symptoms of panic disorder because it most often begins during late adolescence and early adulthood.
What causes panic disorder? Although the exact cause of panic disorder is unclear, but these factors may play a role in the development of the illness: o Genetics o Major stress o Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function
Genetics. If a family member has suffered from panic disorder, you have an increased risk of suffering from it yourself, especially during a time in your life that is particularly stressful. Major stress. Stressful events and major life transitions can trigger panic disorder. Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function. Studies looking at the brain show reduced volumes in certain key areas of the brain in people with panic disorder. These areas such as the amygdala and the temporal lobe are known to be associated with the anxiety responses.
What are the symptoms of panic disorder?
54
Panic attacks typically begin suddenly, without warning. Panic attacks have many variations, but symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes. Panic attacks typically include a few or many of these symptoms: -Sense of impending doom or danger -Fear of loss of control or death -Rapid heart rate -Sweating -Trembling -Hyperventilation -Chills -Hot flashes -Nausea -Abdominal cramping -Chest pain -Headache -Dizziness -Faintness -Tightness in your throat
Positive Note There are several treatment options to overcome panic disorder. Knowledge about the disorder continues to grow and with a network of support and treatment, panic attacks can be prevented. The key to recovery is seeking help and support to overcome the disorder and taking it one step at a time.
55
Eating Disorders Eating disorders is a broad name for a number of problems we face with food in our society. Eating disorders involve extreme disturbances in eating behaviours— following rigid diets, bingeing on food in secret, throwing up after meals, obsessively counting calories. But eating disorders are more complicated than just unhealthy dietary habits. The most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. These are discussed in further detail below‌
56
Binge Eating What is binge eating? Binge eating disorder is compulsive overeating in which people consume huge amounts of food while feeling incapable of stopping. Binge eaters often eat even when they’re not hungry and continue eating long after they’re full. They may also eat as fast as they can while barely registering what they’re eating or tasting. People suffering from this disorder often feel extremely distressed or upset during or after bingeing. People also struggle with feelings of guilt, disgust, and depression. As well as that, there are no regular attempts to “make up” for the binges through vomiting, fasting, or over-exercising.
What causes binge eating? There are three known factors that may play a role in the development of the illness, these include: o Genetics o Social Pressure o Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function
Genetics Experts have suggested that if a family member has suffered from binge eating, you have an increased risk of suffering from it yourself. Social Pressure Social pressure to be thin can add to the shame binge eaters feel and fuel their emotional eating. Some parents unwittingly set the stage for binge eating by using food to comfort, dismiss, or reward their children. Children who are exposed to frequent critical comments about their bodies and weight are also vulnerable, as are those who have been sexually abused in childhood. Certain changes in the way parts of your brain function Biological abnormalities can contribute to binge eating. For example, the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that controls appetite) may not be sending correct messages about hunger and fullness. Researchers have also found a genetic
57
mutation that appears to cause food addiction. Finally, there is evidence that low levels of the brain chemical serotonin play a role in compulsive eating.
What are the symptoms of binge eating? The symptoms of binge eating disorder usually begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, often after a major diet. People with binge eating disorder are embarrassed and ashamed of their eating habits, so they often try to hide their symptoms and eat in secret. Many binge eaters are overweight, but some are of normal weight. There are two types of binge eating symptoms; o
Behavioural symptoms
o
Emotional symptoms
•
Behavioural symptoms include;
-Inability to stop eating or control what you’re eating -Rapidly eating large amounts of food -Eating even when you’re full -Hiding or stockpiling food to eat later in secret -Eating normally around others, but gorging when you’re alone -Eating continuously throughout the day, with no planned mealtimes
•
Emotional symptoms include;
-Feeling stress or tension that is only relieved by eating -Embarrassment over how much you’re eating -Feeling numb while bingeing—like you’re not really there or you’re on auto-pilot. -Never feeling satisfied, no matter how much you eat -Feeling guilty, disgusted, or depressed after overeating -Desperation to control weight and eating habits
58
Positive Note There are several treatment options to improve eating habits. Knowledge is the key to recovery is seeking help and support to overcome the disorder and taking it one step at a time.
59
Bulimia Nervosa What is Bulimia Nervosa? Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight. It affects women and men of all ages. When you’re struggling with bulimia, life is a constant battle between the desires to lose weight or stay thin and the overwhelming compulsion to binge eat. Instead of eating sensibly to make up for it, you punish yourself by purging, fasting, or exercising to get rid of the calories you have gained while binging. This vicious cycle of binging and fasting takes a toll on your body and emotional well-being.
What causes Bulimia Nervosa? There is no single cause of bulimia. While low self-esteem and concerns about weight and body image play major roles, there are many other contributing causes. These include; o o o o
Genetics Social Values Personality traits Stress
Bulimia Nervosa is a complex physical and psychological condition with many different factors. Recovery requires treatment that helps you change your behaviour and also deals with the deeper attitudes and feelings that cause you to binge and purge.
What are the symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa? Bulimia and other eating disorders can often be hard to diagnose, because people often keep unhealthy thoughts and behaviours secret because they feel ashamed about their problem. Symptoms include; -Repeatedly eating large amounts of food in a short period of time.
60
-Frequently getting rid of the calories you've eaten (purging) by making yourself vomit, fasting, exercising too much, or misusing laxatives, diuretics, ipecac syrup, or enemas. -Feeling a loss of control over how much you eat. -Having binge-purge cycles. -Feeling ashamed of overeating and very fearful of gaining weight. -Basing your self-esteem and value upon your body shape and weight.
Positive Note This unhealthy cycle can be broken. Treatment can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and overcome feelings of anxiety, guilt, and shame. Knowledge is the key to recovery is seeking help and support to overcome the disorder and taking it one step at a time.
61
Anorexia Nervosa What is Anorexia Nervosa? Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which people have an intense fear of gaining weight and can become dangerously thin. People suffering from anorexia nervosa severely limit the amount of food they eat and can become dangerously thin. Anorexia usually starts in the teen years. It is much more common in females than in males. There are three main features of this disorder; o refusal to maintain a healthy body weight o an intense fear of gaining weight o a distorted body image There are two types of anorexia; the restricting type and the purging type. In the restricting type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by restricting calories (following drastic diets, fasting, and exercising to excess). In the purging type of anorexia, weight loss is achieved by vomiting or using laxatives and diuretics to lose weight.
What causes Anorexia Nervosa? There is no single cause of anorexia. Experts believe that the main causes of anorexia include; o o o o
Genetics Social Values Personality traits Stress
 Genetics Genetics play a big part in anorexia. If compared to people who don't have this disorder, people who do have the disorder are more likely to have a family history of an eating disorder, obesity, or a mood disorder (such as anxiety or depression).
62
 Social Values If you have a job or do a sport that stresses body size, such as ballet, modelling, or gymnastics you have a greater chance of developing the disorder.  Personality traits If you are the type of person who tries to be perfect all the time, never feels good enough, or worries a lot you have a greater chance of developing the disorder.  Stress If you are dealing with stressful life events, such as moving to a new town or school, or losing a loved one you have a greater chance of developing the disorder.
What are the symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa? People who have anorexia often strongly deny that they have a problem.
Common feelings and actions that are linked to anorexia nervosa include; -Having an intense fear of gaining weight. -Restricting food or types of food, such as food that contains any kind of fat or sugar. -Seeing your body as overweight, in spite of being underweight (having a distorted body image) -Exercising too much. -Being secretive around food and not recognizing or wanting to talk about having a problem with eating or weight loss. -Some people who have anorexia also make themselves vomit or use laxatives or diuretics to lose weight.
Common physical signs of malnutrition from anorexia include; -A low body weight. -Constipation and slow emptying of the stomach.
63
-Thinning hair, dry skin, and brittle nails. -Shrunken breasts. -Stopping or never getting a monthly menstrual period. -Feeling cold, with a lower-than-normal body temperature. -Low blood pressure.
Positive Note This unhealthy cycle can be broken. Treatment can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and overcome anorexia. Early treatment gives the best chance of overcoming the disorder. Knowledge is the key to recovery is seeking help and support to overcome the disorder and taking it one step at a time.
64