MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS US ALL
50 MILLION
Nearly 50 million Americans are experiencing a mental illness.
50/60
More than half of adults with mental illness do not receive treatment. Over 60% of youth with depression do not receive treatment.
2.5 MILLION
Over 2.5 million youth in the US have major severe depression.
WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
SYMPTOMS
Common Signs of Mental Illness in Adults
EXCESSIVE WORRYING OR FEAR
FEELING EXCESSIVELY SAD OR LOW
CONFUSED THINKING OR PROBLEMS CONCENTRATING AND LEARNING
EXTREME MOOD CHANGES, INCLUDING UNCONTROLLABLE “HIGHS” OR FEELINGS OF EUPHORIA
PROLONGED OR STRONG FEELINGS OF IRRITABILITY OR ANGER
AVOIDING FRIENDS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
CHANGES IN SLEEPING HABITS OR FEELING TIRED AND LOW ENERGY
OVERUSE OF SUBSTANCES LIKE ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
MULTIPLE PHYSICAL AILMENTS WITHOUT OBVIOUS CAUSES (SUCH AS HEADACHES, STOMACH ACHES, VAGUE AND ONGOING “ACHES AND PAINS”)
THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE
INABILITY TO CARRY OUT DAILY ACTIVITIES OR HANDLE DAILY PROBLEMS AND STRESS
AN INTENSE FEAR OF WEIGHT GAIN OR CONCERN WITH APPEARANCE
SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN
Common Signs of Mental Illness in Children
CHANGES IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
EXCESSIVE WORRY OR ANXIETY, FOR INSTANCE FIGHTING TO AVOID BED OR SCHOOL
FREQUENT NIGHTMARES
FREQUENT DISOBEDIENCE OR AGGRESSION
HYPERACTIVE BEHAVIOR
FREQUENT TEMPER TANTRUMS
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD is most commonly diagnosed in young people. While ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood, it does not only affect children.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly. People with bipolar experience high and low moods—known as mania and depression—which differ from the typical ups-and-downs most people experience.
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a condition characterized by difficulties regulating emotion. This means that people who experience BPD feel emotions intensely and for extended periods of time, and it is harder for them to return to a stable baseline after an emotionally triggering event.
DEPRESSION
Depressive disorder, frequently referred to simply as depression, is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It’s a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Left untreated, depression can be devastating for those who have it and their families.
DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS
Dissociative disorders are characterized by an involuntary escape from reality characterized by a disconnection between thoughts, identity, consciousness and memory.
EATING DISORDERS
Eating disorders are a group of related conditions that cause serious emotional and physical problems. Each condition involves extreme food and weight issues.
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive, unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions).
POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Traumatic events—such as an accident, assault, military combat or natural disaster—can have lasting effects on a person’s mental health. While many people will have short term responses to life-threatening events, some will develop longer term symptoms that can lead to a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PSYCHOSIS
Psychosis is characterized as disruptions to a person’s thoughts and perceptions that make it difficult for them to recognize what is real and what isn’t. These disruptions are often experienced as seeing, hearing and believing things that aren’t real or having strange, persistent thoughts, behaviors and emotions.
SCHIZOAFFECTIVE DISORDER
Schizoaffective disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized primarily by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, and symptoms of a mood disorder, such as mania and depression.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. It is a complex, long-term medical illness.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Types of Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on exploring relationships among a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors. During CBT a therapist will actively work with a person to uncover unhealthy patterns of thought and how they may be causing self-destructive behaviors and beliefs.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat chronically suicidal individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Over time, DBT has been adapted to treat people with multiple different mental illnesses, but most people who are treated with DBT have BPD as a primary diagnosis.
Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is used to treat PTSD. A number of studies have shown it can reduce the emotional distress resulting from traumatic memories.
Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that is most frequently used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and phobias.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on the relationships a person has with others, with a goal of improving the person’s interpersonal skills.
Mentalization-Based Therapy
Mentalization-based therapy (MBT) can bring long-term improvement to people with BPD, according to randomized clinical trials. MBT is a kind of psychotherapy that engages and exercises the important skill called mentalizing.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
The goal of psychodynamic therapy is to recognize negative patterns of behavior and feeling that are rooted in past experiences and resolve them.
Therapy Pets
Trained therapy pets accompanied by a handler can offer structured animal-assisted therapy or simply visit people to provide comfort.
ALTERNATIVES TO THERAPY
Don’t like the idea of therapy? Try some of the following mind and body activities to help increase positive mental health in your life.
YOGA
MEDITATION
EXERCISE
Many people find that physical activity is beneficial to their well-being. All mind and body treatments can improve mood, anxiety and other symptoms of mental illness. Physical activity can help reduce weight gain, fatigue, and other side effects of many conventional medicines used to treat mental health conditions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - DISCLAIMER
The contents of the Tommy Talks website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Tommy Talks website ("content") are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Tommy Talks website!
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.
Tommy Talks is not a direct service organization. Tommy Talks does not recommend or endorse any clinicians, counselors, psychiatrists, social workers, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the website. Reliance on any information provided by Tommy Talks, Tommy Talks employees, others appearing on the website at the invitation of Tommy Talks, or other visitors to the website is solely at your own risk
