Did You Know... MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

* ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER or (ADHD)
* CONDUCT DISORDER & OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER or (ODD)
* BIPOLAR DISORDER
* ANXIETY DISORDERS
* AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS or (ASD)
* BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER or (BPD)
* SCHIZOPHRENIA
* DEPRESSION
* DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
* POSTNATAL DEPRESSION
* STRESS
* ANOREXIA NERVOSA
* BULIMIA NERVOSA
* AGORAPHOBIA
* ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
* BODY DYSMORPHIA DISORDER or (BDD)
* DEMENTIA
* MUNCHAUSEN’S SYNDROME
* SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER or (SAD)
*SHOCK
* HEALTH BULLETINS
* NYC YOUTH VITAL SIGNS

ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER or (ADHD) – a common condition that makes it hard for children and youth to control their behavior (sit still, think before speaking or acting, etc.) and/or  to pay attention. If left untreated, it can lead to school or job difficulties, depression, relationship problems, and substance abuse. There are three (see below) types of ADHD: the hyperactive-impulsive type, the inattentive type, and a type that is a combination of both. The severity of ADHD varies among children.

*Signs of the hyperactive and inattentive types are as follows:

* Hyperactive-Impulsive – Feeling restless, often fidgeting with hands or feet, squirming while seated; running, climbing or getting up in situations where sitting or quiet behavior is expected; blurting out answers before hearing the whole question; and having difficulties waiting in line or taking turns.

* Inattentive – May appear to not be listening or seams easily distracted by irrelevant sights and sounds; often failing to pay attention t details and making careless mistakes; rarely following instructions carefully and often losing or forgetting things like toys, pencils, books, or other tools needed for a task, and  often skipping from one uncompleted activity to another.

CONDUCT DISORDER & OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER or (ODD) – have difficulty complying with rules and authority figures. Of the two disorders, conduct disorder is the most severe, but ODD is also serious. The exact causes of these disorders are unknown, but research suggests that for some children and youth, the disorders may be caused by their environment (community, school, or home). These disorders also may occur in several generations of family members, suggesting heredity may play a role in these disorders.

* Conduct Disorder – Children or youth with conduct disorder tend to violate the rights of others, be aggressive violate the rights of others, be aggressive towards others, and disobey laws and social rules. If left untreated, conduct disorder can lead to relationship difficulties, school failure, drug abuse, depression, suicide arrests, and “antisocial personality disorder”. Conduct disorder affects 1 to 4 percent of children and youth between ages 9 and 17. Signs of conduct disorder include: Fighting, bullying, intimidating, physically assaulting, sexually coercing, and being cruel to people and animals; Vandalism or deliberate destruction of property, theft, and truancy; Early tobacco, alcohol, and substance use and abuse; Precocious sexual activity, running away from home, and prostitution; and poor relationships with peers and adults.

 * Oppositional Defiant Disorder or ODD – ODD is less severe, but is serious. Children or youth with ODD may be extremely stubborn, disobedient, and intentionally irritating and annoying to others. If left untreated, ODD can lead to relationship difficulties, school failure, and conduct disorder. Children or youth may have ODD when they experience four or more signs of the disorder for more than 6 months. Signs of ODD include: Persistent defiance, disobedience, and hostility toward authority figures, such as parents, teachers, and other adults; persistent fighting or arguing; being easily annoyed; being deliberately annoying, spiteful, or vindictive toward other people; blaming others for mistakes; and being repeatedly and easily angry or resentful beyond what is considered age-appropriate.