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Mental Health
For more information on mental health and the counseling center visit http://www.usm.edu/counseling/services/services.html
Everyone experiences sadness once in a while. Depression is more than a passing blue mood, it is a constant down in the dumps feeling that affects the mind and body. People with a depressive disorder can not just get over it and get better. Left untreated, symptoms can get progressively worse.
Symptoms of depression include:
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
Causes:
These is no one single cause of depression. It can be one of many or a combination of factors including:
Family history
Trauma
Stressful life circumstances
Pessimistic personality
Physical conditions
Other mental problems
Treatment:
Depression is usually treated by medication and therapy
Exercise helps improve mood too.
Additional Resources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which one refuses to stay at the minimal of the healthy weight range for one's height and age. It is characterized by the fear of gaining weight and disorted body image.
Symptoms of Anorexia include:
Weight loss of 15% or greater below the expected weight
Inappropriate use of laxatives, enemas, or diuretics (water pills) in an effort to lose weight
Self-imposed food intake restrictions, often hidden
Absence of menstruation
Skeletal muscle atrophy
Loss of fatty tissue
Low blood pressure
Dental cavities may be present with self-induced vomiting
Blotchy or yellow skin
Depression may be present in addition to the eating disorder
Most individuals with anorexia nervosa refuse to recognize that they have an eating disorder (denial)
Causes:
One specific cause of anorexia has not been pinpointed. It seems to be a combination of factors inlcuding family factors, perfectionist personality, and social pressures. Anorexia is most commonly seen in adolescent and young adult caucasian women.
Treatment:
Treatment for anorexia inlcudes treating both physical and mental problems. Body weight must be restored and treatment of any medical conditions such as dehydration or heart complications are done. Medication, therapy, and support groups are used in treating the disease. Depending on the severity, one may be placed in a treatment facility for the disorder.
Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder in which one binges on large amounts of food and purges through compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, using laxitives or diuretics, or over exercising. The binge purge cycle may occur from several times a month to several times a day.
Symptoms:
Binge eating
Self-induced vomiting
Inappropriate use of diuretics or laxatives
Overachieving behavior
Complications:
Pancreatitis
Dental cavities
Inflammation of the throat
Electrolyte abnormalities
Dehydration
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Esophageal tears
Treatment:
Treatment inlcudes treating physical conditions, and breaking up the binge purge cycle. This may be done through mediactions, behavior change techniques, and/or therapy.
Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in which one constantly over eats, even when not hugry and past the point of fullness. During a binge a person often eats alone and more rapidly than normal.
Signs/Symptoms
Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
Eating much more food during a binge episode than during a normal meal or snack
Eating faster during binge episodes
Feeling that their eating behavior is out of control
Frequent dieting without weight loss
Recurrent episodes of binge eating
Frequently eating alone
Hoarding food
Hiding empty food containers
Feeling depressed, disgusted or upset over the amount eaten
Depression or anxiety
Weight gain
Complications:
type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
gallbladder disease
heart disease
certain types of cancer
Causes:
Causes for binge eating disorder include dpression, poor coping skills, dieting, and family factors.
Treatment:
Treatment may include a combination of therapy and medications to treat the disorder.
Additional Resources for eating disorders:
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
Anxiety is a constant feeling of fear that is the main symptom in many anxiety disorders inlcuding:
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
Symptoms for anxiety include:
Excessive, ongoing worry and tension
An unrealistic view of problems
Restlessness or a feeling of being "edgy"
Irritability
Muscle tension
Headaches
Sweating
Difficulty concentrating
Nausea
The need to go to the bathroom frequently
Tiredness
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Trembling
Being easily startled
Symptoms of an anxiety attack include:
Shortness of breath
Palpitations or pounding heart
Chest pain or discomfort
Trembling or shaking
Dizziness
Nausea or stomach distress
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Hot or cold flashes
Causes:
stress/trauma
family factors
personality traits
Treatment
Therapy, medication, relaxation techniques
Additional Resources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/anxietymenu.cfm
http://www.apa.org/topics/topicdepress.html
http://www.apa.org/topics/topicanxiety.html
Stressed Out?
Stress is body’s response to physical and psychological change. Stress can occur regardless of whether the change is good or bad. Many events during college put students at risk for increased stress.
Symptoms of stress:
increase or decrease in sleep increase or decrease in appetite
increased use of alcohol increased fatigue inability to concentrate mood swings
changes in exercise habits frequent head, back, or muscle ache indigestion, diarrhea frequent accidents and injuries
hostile or angry feeling restlessness and anxiety
change in moods
Stress Management Techniques:
take a break to relax and refresh
think positive
make a to do list and prioritize
ask for help
practice relaxation techniques meditate
manage your time
don’t procrastinate
exercise
get plenty of rest
eat a healthy diet
set realistic expectations
identify your stressors and try to avoid them
balance school and other responsibilities
counseling may be helpful in times of extreme stress.
Prolonged stress can lead to many health problems including decreased immunity which increases risk for infections, mental problems such as depression and anxiety, and heart and digestive problems.
Additional Resources: