Mental Disorders Flashcards
What is the difference between everyday anxiety and an anxiety disorder?
Normal anxiety:
* Usually self-diagnosable
* Lab tests or imaging not required
* Occasional anxiety is a normal emotion.
* Everyone feels anxious now and then.
Anxiety disorders:
* Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses, and the distress they cause can keep you from carrying on with your life normally.
Your friend is having a panic attack, how can you help them?
Stay calm, distract them, encourage slow and deep breaths, and offer a quiet and supportive environment. If panic attacks persist, encourage professional help.
What 3 major hormones are essential for mental health?
Serotonine, noradrenaline and dopamine
What are the alternatives to treating a mental disorder without taking medicine? Why does exercising help?
Light therapy, pets, exercise.
Exercising will distract from negative thoughts, decreases muscle tension, increases availability to serotonin, GABA, etc, activates frontal regions of the brain responsible for executive functions.
Why is it essential to maintain tryptophan and tyrosine levels? When you feel bad, what should you tell your friend to eat?
Tryptophan and tyrosine are essential amino-acids for dopamine release.
To get these amino-acids, you need to eat turkey.
