Individuals w/Mental Illness and Developmental Disabilities

Question 1

Are mental illnesses caused by a “weak will?”

Answer 1

No. Mental illness is a chronic diease.

Question 2

What the symptoms of someone experiencing mental illness?

Answer 2

Person’s loss of contact with reality (as occurs with psychosis), loss of hope (as with depression), loss of control of his or her behavior (as with mania), or loss of ability to maintain proper perspective (as occurs with anxiety disorders).

Question 3

Verbal indicators of psychosis

Answer 3

Disorganized speech, losing train of thought, little content in person’s speech, unable to hold longer conversations.

Question 4

Nonverbal indicators of psychosis

Answer 4

Halluncinations, bizarre behavior, inappropriate emotional reactions, old posturing, repeated speech.

Question 5

Verbal indicators of depression

Answer 5

Slow speech, content of speech reflects hopelessness, feelings of guilt/worthlessness.

Question 6

Nonverbal indicators of depression

Answer 6

Lethargic, irritation, tearful, confused, mute.

Question 7

Verbal indicators of mania

Answer 7

Rapid speech, inflated sense of self, loss of control.