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Mental Health Issues

• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Bipolar Disorder
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
• Panic
• Phobias
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Stress

Anxiety Disorders, including Panic, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety, which can be a good thing at a moderate level. Anxiety is a natural instinct that helps you to respond to stress and can motivate you to excel in work and meet other challenges.

But if anxious feelings begin to disrupt your daily life and consume your thoughts with constant worrying beyond what is appropriate for the situation, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Irritability and crankiness
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Constant worry with no discernable cause
• Sleep difficulties (unable to fall or stay asleep)
• Feelings of panic, such as sweating and shortness of breath

Although these are also signs of normal anxiety, if you begin to experience any of these symptoms frequently and/or intensely, you should consult your doctor or mental health professional.

There are several categories of anxiety disorders, each with specific causes, symptoms and treatments:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Social Phobia
• Other Specific Phobias
• Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Other Helpful Resources:

Anxiety Disorders Association of America
240-485 -1001
www.adaa.org

Anxiety Panic Internet Resource
www.algy.com

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that becomes apparent early on in a child’s life. It is difficult for children with ADHD to control their behavior. It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD. Children and adults with ADHD often struggle with low self-esteem, troubled personal relationships, and poor performance in school or at work.

Symptoms of ADHD:

• Inattentive
• Hyperactive
• Impulsive
• Can be easily distracted
• Forgetful
• Has difficulty following through on instructions and often fails to finish schoolwork, chores or other tasks
• Fidgets or squirms frequently
• Always seems on the go
• Talks excessively
• Inability to complete tasks
• Mood swings
• Hot temper

Helpful websites:

Children and Adults with Hyperactivity Disorder
301-306-7070
www.chadd.org

American Academy of Pediatrics
202-347-8600
www.aap.org/healthtopics/adhd.cfm

National Institute of Mental Health
866-615-6464
www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/summary.shtml

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism is one of a group of serious developmental disorders (rather than a mental illness) called Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) that appear in early childhood, usually before age three. All Autism Specturm Disorders affect a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others.

The Autism Society of America states that the rate of ASD has increased 10-17% per year, which makes Autism the fastest growing developmental disability. It is not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting of Autism, a real increase in the number of cases, or both.

There are five different forms of Autism Spectrum Disorders each with specific causes, symptoms and treatments:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger’s Syndrom
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder- NOS
• Rett Syndrome
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders:

• Has poor eye contact
• Resists cuddling and holding
• Appears unaware of others’ feelings
• Seems to prefer playing alone
• Starts talking later than other children
• Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm
• Can’t start a conversation or keep one going
• May repeat words or phrases verbatim
• Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping
• May be unusually sensitive to light, sound, and touch

Resources for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Society of America
301-657-0881
www.autism-society.org

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
www.ninds.nih.gov

Autism Research Institute (ARI)
619-281-7165
www.autismresearchinstitute.com

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
301-496-5133
www.nichd.nih.gov

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Bipolar Disorder

We all experience ups and downs, good days and bad days, but extreme and/or frequent shifts in mood could be signs of a more serious problem. Bipolar Disorder, formerly called Manic Depression, is characterized by extreme emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The first manic or depressive episode of bipolar disorder usually occurs in the teenage years or early adulthood and without treatment can continue with increased intensity.

If you begin to experience any combination of these symptoms frequently and/or intensely, you should consult your doctor or mental health professional.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Manic phase:

• Extreme optimism
• Inflated self-esteem
• Poor judgment
• Racing thoughts
• Aggressive behavior
• Increased physical activity
• Risky behavior
• Spending sprees

Depressive phase:

• Hopelessness
• Sadness
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Sleep problems
• Appetite problems
• Fatigue

Resources for Bipolar Disorder

Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
www.bpkids.org

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
800-826-3632
www.dbsalliance.org

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Depression

We all experience sadness at one time or another; however, the feeling usually goes away within a few days or a week, when not linked to a specific grief-related event. When people experience major depression, it interferes with their ability to carry out their daily activities.

Depression is the most common health condition in the world. It is a serious and often disabling illness that can significantly affect a person’s work, family and school life. It affects how a person thinks and behaves and can cause a variety of emotional, as well as physical, problems.

Symptoms of Depression

• Persistent sad or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt and/or worthlessness
• Irritability and restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide

There are several forms of depression each with specific causes, symptoms and treatments:

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Dysthymic Disorder
• Psychotic Depression
• Postpartum Depression
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Resources for Depression

International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression
410-268-0044
www.ifred.org

Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance
800-826-3632
www.dbsalliance.org

Depression Guides
www.depression-guide.com

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Eating Disorders

An eating disorder is characterized by a severe imbalance in eating behavior, such as reducing food intake almost to the point of starvation, or extreme binging. Typically someone with an eating disorder will have feelings of extreme distress or concern about body weight or shape.

A person with an eating disorder may have started out just eating smaller or larger amounts of food than usual, but at some point, the urge to eat less or more spirals out of control.

There are three major forms of eating disorders each with specific causes, symptoms and treatments:

• Anorexia Nervosa
• Bulimia Nervosa
• Binge-Eating Disorder

Resources for Eating Disorders

National Eating Disorders Association
206-382-3587
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

National Mental Health Information Center
240-221-4021
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0047/default.asp

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling brain disorder characterized by abnormalities in a person’s perception and experience of reality. It most commonly appears in young adulthood, and approximately 1% of the population is affected.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia:

• Auditory hallucinations
• Visual hallucinations
• Paranoid or bizarre delusions
• Disorganized speech and thinking
• Social or occupational dysfunction

Helpful Websites:

Schizophrenia.com
www.schizophrenia.com

National Alliance on Mental Illness
703-524-7600
www.nami.org

For more helpful links, click here

Just as there are many kinds of physical illnesses and conditions, there are many kinds of mental illness and conditions. Please remember, information on this web site, or any web site, is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for consultation with a doctor or mental health professional.

For printed brochures on any of these topics, please visit the
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
263 West Patrick St.
Frederick, MD 21701
Or call 301-663-0011

Stress

Stress is the body’s response to emotional or physical threats, either real or imagined. It is difficult for scientists to define, because it is highly subjective from person to person. Activities or situations that cause stress for one person may not cause stress for another. Response to stress also differs among all of us. It is important to understand and manage stress, because prolonged, unrelieved stress can lead to other emotional and physical disorders.

Symptoms of Stress:

• Cold or sweaty hands, feet
• Frequent blushing, sweating
• Feeling overloaded or overwhelmed
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Sudden attacks of panic
• Depression, frequent or wild mood swings
• Increased anger, frustration, hostility
• Weight gain or loss without diet
• Constant tiredness, weakness, fatigue

There are different forms of stress each with specific causes, symptoms and treatments:

• Acute Stress
• Chronic Stress

Helpful websites:

The American Institute of Stress
914-963-1200
www.stress.org

National Institutes of Health
301-496-4000
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/stress

For more helpful links, click here