Cerebral Palsy is known to make the stresses of life more overwhelming. Individuals tend to become shy in social situations out of fear of being bullied or teased by others. They are more prone to depression and anxiety disorders.

Psychological Impacts of Cerebral Palsy

The amygdala is a section of the brain that processes fearful stimuli. Patients with anxiety disorders exhibit stronger amygdala responses than patients without anxiety disorders. Studies suggest that mindfulness interventions can reduce the amygdala response in patients with anxiety disorders.

Mindfulness Effects on the Amygdala and Anxiety


- Persistent worry or feeling overwhelmed by emotions.

- Excessive worry about a number of concerns, such as health problems or finances, and a general sense that something bad is going to happen.

- Restlessness and irritability.

- Difficulty concentrating, sleep problems and generally feeling on edge.

Signs of Anxiety

Some researchers believe that mindfulness is a natural state, so they searched for predictors of mindfulness.  Predictors they looked at included openness to experience and attentional control.  During their study they looked at trait anxiety, attachment anxiety and attentional control. Due to anxiety blocking many of the predictors they tested for, it was concluded that anxiety (both specific and general) is agonistic to mindfulness.  So, because anxiety turns anxious people away from mindfulness, it makes sense to help treat anxiety with mindfulness-based interventions.

Natural Mindfulness and Anxiety

The psychological consequences of distress due to experiencing an environmental disaster.

“Eco-anxiety”

- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Specific phobias

Anxiety Disorders Treated by Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

- The HADS scale was used to determine levels of anxiety and depression
- It was found that there is a statistically significant relationship between the HADS score and cortisol levels
  - As levels of depression and anxiety increased, cortisol levels also increased
- COVID-19 Patients who had passed away had higher serum cortisol levels compared to the COVID-19 patients that survived
- Stress increases one’s susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, making patients more vulnerable to getting a cold
  - The immune cells become unable to regulate inflammation
- As tissues become less sensitive to cortisol due to high levels of stress, it becomes more difficult to regulate stress levels

Anxiety and Cortisol Levels in COVID-19 Patients

- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Hoarding Disorder
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Anxiety/ Panic Disorders
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Body dysmorphic disorder
- Schizophrenia 
- Borderline Personality Disorder

Mental Disorders Affected By The Covid-19 Pandemic

Emotions can play a large factor in the formation of political identity, as well as influence their belief in political misinformation. Anxiety and anger can result in differences in how an individual approaches political misinformation. Having anxiety can influence a person to further seek out political information learning, whereas being angry can influence a person to be more close-minded with the political information they are presented with.

Anxiety and Anger on Partisan Bias in Accepting Misinformation

Anxiety disorders are characterized by features of excessive fear and anxiety, as well as related behavioral disturbances. These symptoms are often not temporary and linger beyond typical expectations. Excessiveness of these symptoms is clinician diagnosed with cultural contexts taken into consideration.

Anxiety Disorders

Exploring how concussion-induced anxiety can be helped by exercise

Concussions, Anxiety, and Exercise

Anxiety may result in or worsen mental/physical conditions.
 

- Depression or other mental disorders
- Substance misuse
- Insomnia
- Bowel issues
- Headaches/ Chronic Pain
- Social Isolation
- Problems with daily functioning, including at school or work
- Poor quality of life 
- Suicidal
- Nausea/Vomitting

Complications of Anxiety

- Oftentimes, anxiety disorders go hand in hand with eating disorders

Comorbidity with Anxiety

Reference for Efficacy of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Lowering Anxiety Symptoms in School-Aged Children

Reference for Development of Anxiety

In a study evaluating the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy, data on outcome measures and therapeutic alliances were not statistically significant. However, observable trends showed that the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and animal-assisted therapy may be beneficial for easing anxiety symptoms in school-aged children.

Efficacy of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Lowering Anxiety Symptoms in School-Aged Children

Generally speaking, anxiety is a reaction by the body that ensues negative internal experiences such as negative thoughts or feelings. Physical changes may also follow, such as an increase in blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, trembling, and so on.

Arizona State University

University of Toledo

New Mexico Highlands University

Boston College

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Santa Clara University

University of Maryland, College Park

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- Anxiety
- Current depression
- Depression relapse risk
- Stress
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Parkinson's Disease
- High blood pressure
- Sleep problems
- Psychopathy
- Antisocial Behavior
- Antisocial Personality Disorder

Conditions Mindfulness Can Help Alleviate/Treat

A subcategory of overall health relating to one's emotional well-being by one's ability to successfully overcome everyday stressors, to realize one's inner potential, and to work in a manner that gives back to the self and to their community.

Mental Health

Older adults are most commonly are diagnosed with depression, anxiety, insomnia, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, and dementia. 

Common Mental Health Conditions in Geriatric Adults

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse report symptomatology related to: 
- Low self esteem 
- Depression 
- Dissociation 
- Anxiety 
- Post-traumatic stress disorder 


Long term effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse 


This is a list of circumstantial conditions that result in a condition of an abnormal state of mind for the individual. These conditions include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dissociation
- Mania
- Psychosis
- Stress


List of Conditions that Affect the State of Mind

Fear-related conditions where classical conditioning may take on a role include:

- Anxiety
- PTSD

Fear-related Conditions Related to Classical Conditioning

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Anxiety. American Psychological Association. Retrieved September 26, 2021, from https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety. 

American Psychological Association: Anxiety

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Mindfulness practice has the potential to help alleviate eating disorders through its effect on maladaptive cognitive and affective processes. Dysfunctional cognitions fuel negative ideas of personhood or self-worth (such as, negative thoughts of personal weight and shape). These negative thoughts can lead to negative eating behaviors such as binging, purging, or restricted eating habits. Mindfulness techniques are then used as a means of expressing to the individuals that their thoughts are only temporary and do not require immediate self-intervention to mend. Therefore, mindfulness reduces the impact of dysfunctional cognitions on individuals, and thus alleviates/treats some of the mechanisms that support eating disorders.

Alleviates/Treats Eating Disorders

Anxiety

Generally speaking, depression is an overall feeling of sadness. More specifically, those with depression tend to experience several things such as: an increase or decrease in weight, troubles with concentration, feelings of meaninglessness or worthlessness, thoughts of death or suicide, and so on. 

Depression

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. It is caused when the nerve cells that produce domaine in one’s brain die.

Parkinson's Disease 

High blood pressure is when one’s blood pressure, or the force of blood that flows through one’s blood vessels, is too high.  Systolic blood pressure represents the pressure that blood exerts against the walls of the artery. Diastolic blood pressure represents the pressure between the heart’s beats 

High Blood Pressure 

Antisocial behavior can be defined as delinquent or criminal behavior such as manipulation, lying, and criminal activity such as stealing and assault.

Antisocial behavior

Psychopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by impaired emotional responses, lack of empathy, and poor behavioral controls, which most often leads to antisocial deviance and criminal behavior.  It is commonly defined by using three main categories: interpersonal, affective, and behavioral traits.

Psychopathy

According to the DSM-5, antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a complete disregard for the rights and feelings of others. This disregard manifests in several ways, including repeatedly engaging in illegal acts, deceiving or conning others, acting with impulsivity and recklessness, showing irritability and aggression, and failing to fulfill responsibilities like paying debts. Specific examples of these behaviors include involvement in illegal enterprises, cruelty toward others, abandoning jobs with no alternative plans, having multiple sexual partners, getting into frequent fights, and showing reckless disregard for safety, such as through repeated arrests for driving while intoxicated. Individuals with this disorder feel no remorse for their actions and will manipulate, exploit, or abuse others without any sense of guilt.

DSM-5 Diagnostic Features of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Between 10 and 20% of adolescents worldwide experience a mental health problem within a given 12-month period. Mental health problems impact on an adolescent’s potential to live a fulfilling and productive life and lead to challenges such as stigma, isolation and discrimination. 

Adolescent Mental Health

There is a need for global emphasis on more comprehensive mental health promotion and intervention in schools. The SMHILE (School Mental Health International Leadership Exchange) identified 5 critical themes for nations to advance SMH (=school mental health). Doing so, we can accomplish cross-nation collaboration among research and policy leaders from diverse countries and share experiences/lessons to improve SMH.


Comprehensive Mental Health Promotion & Intervention in School

The long-term physical, mental, emotional, and psychological effects of racism.

Weathering

Defines strategies that typically involve health-oriented public policies, an improvement in community action, significant positive changes in regards to creating healthy environments, development of essential personal skills, and the redistribution and improvement of health-related services.

Mental Health Promotion Strategies 

Assessments, treatments, and counseling resources offered in private, public, outpatient and inpatient facilities that focus on serving individuals experiencing mental health crises and issues. 

Mental Health Services

NIMH. (2022). Anxiety Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved March 12, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders 

Panic Disorder Reference

NIMH. (2022). NIMH. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ 

NIMH

Dementia is characterized by memory loss and impairment of mental functioning that. Depression, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and wandering are symptoms of the illness.

Dementia

It is a mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medication. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe, with addiction being the most powerful form of SUDs.

Substance Use Disorder

Gender is a determinant of mental health. Different factors different genders face impacting their mental health and lives, social position, status, and treatment in society. Gender differences also occur in the rates of common mental disorders.

Gender and Mental Health

Emotion regulation is the process by which individuals manage their emotional responses to various situations and experiences. This involves altering their emotional experiences and how they are expressed.

Emotional Regulation

While wellbeing does not have a clear and universal definition, people believe that it can be conceptualized in a few ways:

- Positive Construct
- Subjective Construct
- Multi-dimensional Construct

Wellbeing

Shim, R. S., Compton, M. T., Rust, G., Druss, B. G., & Kaslow, N. J. (2009). Race-Ethnicity as a Predictor of Attitudes Toward Mental Health Treatment Seeking. Psychiatric Services, 60(10), 1336–1341. https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/pdf/10.1176/ps.2009.60.10.1336 

Reference for Predictors in Mental Health Seeking Behaviors

 Societal or internal criticism that shames the desire for professional mental health support and can lead to negative changes in help seeking behaviors.

Mental Health Stigma

Conner, K. O., Copeland, V. C., Grote, N. K., Koeske, G., Rosen, D., Reynolds, C. F., 3rd, & Brown, C. (2010). Mental health treatment seeking among older adults with depression: the impact of stigma and race. The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(6), 531–543. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3181cc0366

Reference for Predictors in Mental Health Seeking Behaviors(Age)

Insomnia, the most prevalent sleep disorder, is characterized by a persistent difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep. Individuals with this condition often experience significant delays before falling asleep and may wake up frequently during the night, struggling to resume sleep. According to diagnostic criteria, these sleep disturbances must occur at least three nights a week for a minimum of one month.

Insomnia

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013, is the primary classification system used by most mental health professionals in the United States to diagnose psychological disorders.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)

Alcohol abuse is responsible for one in eight deaths among older Americans. It is predicted that there will be an increase in illicit drug use and alcohol abuse among the baby boomer cohort as many have showcased addiction to prescription medication in the past.

Substance Abuse in Geriatric People 

Older white Americans have the highest rates of suicide. Two-fifths of older adults who committed suicide visited their primary care physician in the past week and about three-quarters did so in the past month.

Suicide in Geriatric People

Geriatric nurses undergo chronic lack of time, irregular worktime, limiting career growth, disruptive patients and patient families, and stressors from losing patients. Altogether, this leads to anger, anxiety, depression, and frustration.

Common Mental Conditions in Geriatric Nurses

A disorder that results from experiencing or witnessing something that makes one feel afraid, terrified, or powerless and makes them think that their life, bodily integrity, or safety are in danger. It manifests as painful and intrusive memories of the stressful event, jitteriness, ongoing negative emotional states, social distancing, violent outbursts, and avoiding reminders of the incident.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

People with complex ptsd may go through depersonalization. Completely detaching from their past self. This often leads to difficulty in maintaining relationships.

dissociation

Mania can be described as an extended period of elevated mood and hyperexcitation. This can last days or weeks, or possibly even longer. Symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Irritability
- Increase in risk-taking behavior (i.e. hypersexuality, gambling)
- Racing thoughts
- Rapid speech
- Distractibility
- Increased activity, multitasking
- Decreased sleep
- Grandiosity 

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