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DEFINING
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental
health is something all of us want for ourselves.
It is happiness, peace of mind, enjoyment and satisfaction
in life. Our mental health affects our everyday life.
It affects our work and the overall way that people
get along with their family, at school, on the job,
at play, with their peers, and in their communities.
It involves the way that each person balances his
or her needs, ambition, abilities, ideals, feelings
and conscience in order to meet the demands of everyday
life.
A compulsive need for and use of
a habit forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized
by tolerance and by well-defined psychological symptoms upon withdrawal.
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Agoraphobia
A common type of phobia associated with fear of public places
or open spaces. Agoraphobics try to avoid being in situations from which
they think escaped would be difficult or help and safety are not readily
available. This is often diagnosed in conjunction with panic disorder.
Alcoholism
A primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychological, and
environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.
The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by continuous
or periodic: impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug
alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions
in thinking, most notably denial.
Also, see Substance Abuse
Alcoholics
Anonymous
Alcoholics
Anonymous in Northern Kentucky
Alcoholics
Anonymous in Cincinnati
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Antisocial Personality
Disorder
Type of personality disorder characterized by irresponsibility,
inability to feel guilt or remorse for actions that harm others, frequent
conflicts with people and social institutions, and low frustration tolerance.
See Personality Disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive
Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder, Schizotypal Personality
Disorder.
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Anxiety Disorders
A chronic or recurring state of tension, worry, fear, and uneasiness
arising from unknown or unrecognized perceptions of danger or conflict.
They are caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors.
See Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD),
Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorder, Social Phobia
Freedom
From Fear
Information & Screenings
Anxiety Disorder Association
of America
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Anorexia Nervosa
Type of eating disorder characterized by an extended refusal
to eat which leads to severe weight loss, malnutrition, and cessation
of menstruation. Usually affects girls and young woman. Loss of 15% or
more of one’s body weight which is accompanied by a distorted body image
and an exaggerated fear of becoming obese. See Bulimia Nervosa, Eating
Disorder
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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
Impulsive behavior, inattentiveness, excessive motor activity,
and short attention span. In most cases it is the result of one or more
factors, including anxiety, stress, physiological disorder, neurological
disorder, and some organic mental disorder.
American Academy
of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Children
& Adults With Attention Deficit Disorder
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Bereavement
Emotional and physical reaction to loss of a loved one.
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Bipolar Disorder
Formally known as manic-depressive
illness and subcategorized as manic type with symptoms such as hyperactivity,
distractibility, pressured speech, and grandiosity. Also subcategorized
as depressed type with symptoms such as deep sadness, sleep disturbance,
poor appetite, low self-esteem, and slowed thinking. Mixed type features
alternation patterns of manic and depressed traits. Diagnosis distinguishes
between Bipolar I (mostly manic), and Bipolar II (mostly depressed). See
Depression.
Child & Adolescent
Bipolar Foundation
Depressive/Manic
Depressive Association
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Borderline Personality
Disorder
Type of personality disorder characterized by some of the following
symptoms and traits: deeply ingrained and maladaptive patterns of relation
to others, impulsive and unpredictable behavior that is often self-destructive,
lack of control of anger, intense mood shifts, identity disturbance and
inconsistent self-concept, manipulation of others, and chronic feelings
of boredom and emptiness.
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Bulimia Nervosa
Type of eating disorder characterized by excessive appetite
with episodic eating binges sometimes followed by purging. The purging
may occur through self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives, diet pills,
or diuretics. Bulimia usually starts as a means of dieting. See Anorexia
Nervosa, Eating Disorders
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Chemical Dependency
A state of being reliant upon a
substance.
Also, see Addictions, Alcoholism & Substance Abuse
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Children’s Issues
Disorders found primarily in children and youths. See Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder
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Comorbidity/Co-occurring
Simultaneous existence of two or more diseases or dysfunctions,
mental and/or physical, within an individual. Also known as dual diagnosis
when there are two or more mental disorders occurring at the same time
or when a mental disorder is co-exists with a substance abuse diagnosis.
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Conduct Disorder
Repetitive and persistent pattern of child’s behavior in which
the rights of others are violated as are age-appropriate norms and social
rules. There are four types of conduct disorders: aggressive conduct,
non-aggressive conduct, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations
of rules.
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Depression
Emotional reaction characterized
by sadness, discouragement, despair, pessimism about the future, sleep
disturbance, feelings of inadequacy, and feelings of hopelessness. These
symptoms may go from very mild to very severe. Dysthymia is a mild form
of depression displaying just 2 or 3 symptoms in a person over a long
period of time. Postpartum depression is a type of depression occurring
after giving birth. The criteria for diagnosis is the same as depression.
See Bipolar Disorder
Celexa - Online clinical
depression information
Depression
Screening
Dr.
Ivan's Depression Central
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Developmental Disorders
Severe chronic disabilities attributed to mental and/or physical
impairment, which manifest before age 22 and are likely to continue indefinitely.
They result in substantial limitations in 3 or more areas of major life
activity: self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility,
self-direction, capacity for independent living and economic self-sufficiency,
as well as the continuous need for individually planned and coordinated
services.
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Dysthymia
See Depression
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Eating Disorders
Unhealthy patterns of eating and
ingestion. See Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE),
Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ARND),
Static Encephalopathy (alcohol exposed) (SE) or
Alcohol
Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
are all names for a spectrum of disorders caused when
a pregnant woman consumes alcohol.
They can become the forgotten kids - the children
that have nearly invisible disabilities. They have their
arms and legs, can see and hear, run, play, etc., but
most have never been to a birthday party or a sleepover,
they are last to be chosen to play, and first to be
blamed. Their illnesses aren't fatal, but a small part
of their hearts and souls die with every rejection.
Their behaviors may seem odd or unpredictable to
themselves as much as society.
A neurologically injured child is unable to meet the
expectations of parents, family, peers, school, and
career and can endure a lifetime of failures. The
largest cause of neurological damage in children is
prenatal exposure to alcohol. These children grow up to
become adults. Often the neurological damage goes
undiagnosed, but not unpunished. An individual’s place,
and success, in society is almost entirely determined by
neurological functioning.
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Gambling (including bingo)
Behavior disorder in which the individual
becomes preoccupied with wagers and develops a progressively worsening
urge to bet money. The urge often becomes uncontrollable and occurs even
when funds for making bets are unavailable.
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Type of anxiety disorder characterized by motor tension, fear,
worry, autonomic hyperactivity (sweating, dizziness, upset stomach), insomnia,
and general impatience. See Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia
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Genetically predisposed
The potential for an individual to develop a condition or trait
because of its presence in a family member.
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Grief-See Bereavement
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Mental Illness/Disorders
A mental illness is a disease that
causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting
in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines. Mental
health problems may be related to excessive stress due to a particular
situation or series of events. As with cancer, diabetes and heart disease,
mental illnesses are often physical as well as emotional and psychological.
Mental disorders also often accompany other medical and chronic illnesses.
Mental illnesses may be caused by a reaction to environmental stresses,
genetic factors, biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these. With
proper care and treatment many individuals learn to cope or recover from
a mental illness or emotional disorder. For others, it may be a lifelong
challenge. Treatment may include medications, psychotherapy and/or support
services.
There are more than 200 classified forms of mental
illnesses. Some of the more common disorders are: depression, bipolar
disorders, dementias, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may
include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social withdrawal.
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Mental Retardation
Below average general intellectual function with associated
deficits in coping behaviors that occurs before age 18.
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Mental Wellness
Mental health is something all of us want for ourselves. It
is happiness, peace of mind, enjoyment and satisfaction in life. Our mental
health affects our everyday life. It affects our work and the overall
way that people get along with their family, at school, on the job, at
play, with their peers, and in their communities. It involves the way
that each person balances his or her needs, ambition, abilities, ideals,
feelings and conscience in order to meet the demands of everyday life.
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Neurosis
A long-term disorder featuring anxiety
and/or exaggerated behavior dedicated to avoiding anxiety; suffers understand
that the condition is abnormal.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Type of anxiety disorder in which
the individual experiences unwanted, recurrent, and persistent ideas,
impulses or images. Engagement in seemingly intentional behaviors that
are performed ritualistically as a reaction to conflict or other sources
of anxiety. See Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD), Phobic Disorder, Social Phobia
Obsessive-Compulsive
Foundation
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Obsessive-Compulsive Personality
Disorder
Type of personality disorder that is characterized by perfectionist
behavior, insistence on having others submit to a certain way of doing
things, limited ability to express warm feelings, preoccupation with trivial
details and rules, stinginess, and poor ability to make decisions. This
should be distinguished from OCD which is an anxiety disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive
Foundation
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Obsessive
Compulsive Personality Disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder
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Panic Disorder
Type of anxiety disorder characterized
by recurrent panic attacks or fear of having further panic attacks. It
is a condition marked by episodes of immediate and intense anxiety at
inappropriate times; sufferers may experience palpitations, feelings of
faintness, chest pains, and a sensation that death is imminent, even when
there is no apparent threat or danger; individuals who experience four
or more unexplained attacks in a month, as well as individuals who have
fewer attacks but live in constant fear of such an episode, may be suffering
from the disorder. See Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorder,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Social Phobia Personality Disorders-Patterns
of relating to and understanding others that are so maladaptive, inflexible,
and deeply ingrained that they produce significant social impairment.
See Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder
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Phobic Disorder
Type of anxiety disorder with a persistent and irrational fear
of a specific object or situation resulting in serious attempts to avoid
it. See Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder (OCD), Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
Social Phobia
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Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD)
Type of anxiety disorder that involves a reaction to experiencing
an event that is outside the range of usual human experience. Examples
would include accidents, natural disasters, assault, and rape. Reactions
may include difficulty concentrating, showing no emotions, feeling jumpy,
nightmares, having painful memories, to general emotional numbness, which
often causes sufferers to withdraw from family and friends. See Anxiety
Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
(OCD), Panic Disorder, Phobic Disorder, Social Phobia
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Postpartum Depression
See Depression
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Recovery
Research continues to
show the benefit of using a combination of treatments that promote
wellness. Recovery can consist of utilizing a psychiatrist, therapist,
support system/group, education, holistic approaches and healthy lifestyle
changes. Your psychiatrist will prescribe medication for you, while your
therapist or counselor is someone you can talk to on a regular basis for
professional support and guidance. Your support system may include your
family, friends, spirituality and a support group. Education means
learning about your illness and empowering yourself to get the help you
need from those around you. Holistic approaches can include massage, yoga,
chiropractics, acupuncture, etc. Finding and making lifestyle choices that
are right for you, like relaxing, eating healthy, and exercising will also
help your recovery. We believe the best treatment for any mental illness
is using a combination of treatments that best meets your needs and keeps
moving you forward.
Schizoid Personality Disorder
Type of personality disorder characterized
by social withdrawal, indifference to the feelings of others, and a restricted
range of emotions. Often described as loners, individuals with this disorder
usually do not have close friends and choose solitary interests and occupations.
See Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder,
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Personality Disorders
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Schizotypal Personality
Disorder
Type of personality disorder in which the individual shows
many of the symptoms of schizophrenia including disturbances of thought,
perception, speech, but the symptoms are not severe. Other symptoms may
include paranoid ideation, magical thinking, strange fantasies, peculiar
behavior, and social isolation. See Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline
Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, Personality
Disorders, Schizotypal Personality Disorder
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Schizophrenia
A psychosis that has lasted more
than six months and whose active phase has begun before the subject is
45 years old. Features include thought disturbances, mood changes, communication
problems, and behavior patterns that may be bizarre, regressive, or withdrawn.
Psychotropic drugs, psychotherapy, and help with social functioning enable
individuals with this disorder to live a fairly comfortable life. There
are four subtypes of schizophrenia which are: disorganized, catatonic,
paranoid, and undifferentiated.
Schizophrenia.com
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Self-medicating
Individuals prior to being screened positive or being diagnosed
use alcohol or other drugs in order to try to feel normal. This may help
the individual feel better, however, only for a very short period of time
(hours). Self-medicating complicates matters and intensifies disorders.
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Social Phobia
Type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by an intense,
continuous, and unreasonable fear of being observed or evaluated. Victims
are most likely afraid of public speaking, performing before an audience,
using public restrooms, or eating in restaurants. See Anxiety Disorder,
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic
Disorder, Phobic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Substance Abuse
Maladaptive pattern of using certain drugs, alcohol, medications,
and toxins despite their adverse consequences. Over 40% of individuals
with substance abuse issues have evidence of a mental disorder prior to
using. This may be referred to as self-medicating.
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Violence
Severe and intense exercise of force
and power, usually resulting in injury or destruction.
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