ST. NORBERT S.S.

SCHOOL

BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

2019-2020

MENTAL HEALTH
VAISHNAVI PRIYA JHA
XII-B

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

MRS. ANAMIKA KARIRDE
 Certificate
This is to certify that Biology Investigatory
Project on Mental Health was completed
satisfactorily by Ms Vaishnavi Jha for
academic year 2019-2020.

Internal Examiner External Examiner

School Principal School Seal

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Many hands make lighter work. This project
would never have been completed had it not
been without help of Mrs Anamika and guidance
of our principal Ms Lilly Mary. I would also like
to thank my family for their support.

Vaishnavi Jha
 INDEX
1. Introduction
2. Classification
3. Early Signs
4. Treatment
5. Statistics
6. WHO Response
7. Bibliography
 INTRODUCTION
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), mental
health is:
"... a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her
own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to
his or her community."
The WHO stresses that mental health "is not just the absence of
mental disorder.“
Experts say we all have the potential to develop mental health
problems, no matter how old we are, whether we are male or
female, rich or poor, or which ethnic group we belong to.
A large proportion of the people who have a mental disorder have
more than one.
Anxiety
 CLASSIFICATION
1. Anxiety disorders:Anxiety disorders are the most common
types of mental illness. The individual has a severe fear or
anxiety, which is linked to certain objects or situations. Most
people with an anxiety disorder will try to avoid exposure to
whatever triggers their anxiety.
Examples of anxiety disorders include:
• Panic disorder - the person experiences sudden paralyzing
terror or a sense of imminent disaster.
• Phobias - these may include simple phobias (a
disproportionate fear of objects), social phobias (fear of being
subject to the judgment of others), and agoraphobia (dread of
situations where getting away or breaking free may be
difficult).
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - the person has
obsessions and compulsions. In other words, constant stressful
thoughts (obsessions), and a powerful urge to perform
repetitive acts, such as hand washing (compulsion).
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - this can occur after
somebody has been through a traumatic event - something
horrible or frightening that they experienced or witnessed.
During this type of event, the person thinks that their life or
other people's lives are in danger. They may feel afraid or feel
that they have no control over what is happening.
2. Mood disorders:These are also known as affective disorders
or depressive disorders. Patients with these conditions have
significant changes in mood, generally involving either mania
(elation) or depression. Examples of mood disorders include:
• Major depression - the individual is no longer interested in
and does not enjoy activities and events that they previously
liked. There are extreme or prolonged periods of sadness.
• Bipolar disorder - previously known as manic-depressive
illness, or manic depression. The individual switches from
episodes of euphoria (mania) to depression (despair).
• Persistent depressive disorder - previously known as
dysthymia, this is mild chronic (long term) depression. The
patient has similar symptoms to major depression but to a
lesser extent.
• SAD (seasonal affective disorder) - a type of major
depression that is triggered by lack of daylight. It is most
common in countries far from the equator during late autumn,
winter, and early spring.
3. Schizophrenia disorders-Whether or not schizophrenia is a
single disorder or a group of related illnesses has yet to be fully
determined. It is a highly complex condition. Schizophrenia
normally begins between the ages of 15 and 25. The individual
has thoughts that appear fragmented; they also find it hard to
process information.
Schizophrenia has negative and positive symptoms. Positive
symptoms include delusions, thought disorders, and
hallucinations. Negative symptoms include withdrawal, lack of
motivation, and a flat or inappropriate mood.
4.Dementia: It is usually of a chronic, progressive nature in
which there is deterioration in cognitive function beyond what
might be expected. It affects memory, thinking, orientation,
comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and
judgement. The impairment in cognitive function is commonly
accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in
emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation. Dementia is
caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain,
such as Alzheimer's disease or stroke.
5. Developmental disorders: an umbrella term covering
intellectual disability and pervasive developmental disorders
including autism. Usually have a childhood onset ; impairment
or delay in functions related to the central nervous system
maturation.
6. Addiction: manifested by compulsive substance use despite
harmful consequence. People with addiction have an intense
focus on using a certain substance(s), such as alcohol or drugs, to
the point that it takes over their life, even when they know it will
cause problems. People can develop an addiction to:
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• PCP, LSD and other hallucinogens
• Inhalants, such as, paint thinners and glue
• Opioid pain killers, such as codeine and oxycodone, heroin
• Sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics
• Cocaine, methamphetamine and other stimulants
• Tobacco
Addiction
People with a substance use disorder have distorted thinking,
behaviour and body functions. Brain imaging studies show
changes in the areas of the brain that relate to judgment, decision
making, learning, memory and behaviour control. Over time
people with addiction build up a tolerance.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people begin
taking drugs for a variety of reasons, including:
• feeling of pleasure, relieve stress
• improve performance
• curiosity and peer pressure
Many people experience both mental illness and addiction. The
mental illness may be present before the addiction. Or the
addiction may trigger or make a mental disorder worse.
 EARLY SIGNS
It is not possible to reliably tell whether someone is developing a
mental health problem; however, if certain signs appear in a short
space of time, it may offer clues:
• Withdrawing from people or activities they would normally
enjoy, consistently low energy.
• Sleeping or eating too much or too little.
• Feeling as if nothing matters.
• Using drugs more than normal (including alcohol & nicotine).
• Displaying uncharacteristic emotions and confusion.
• Not being able to complete standard tasks
• Persistent thoughts or memories that reappear regularly.
• Thinking of harming one's self or others.
• Hearing voices and delusions.
 TREATMENT

There are various ways people with mental health problems

might receive treatment. It is important to know that what works
for one person may not work for another. Some strategies or
treatments are more successful when combined with others. A
patient with a chronic mental disorder may choose different
options at different stages in their life.
Treatments can include:
• Psychotherapy (talking therapies) - this is a psychological
approach. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure
therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy are examples.
• Medication - although it can not cure mental disorders, some
medications can improve symptoms.
• Self-help - including lifestyle changes such as reducing
alcohol intake, sleeping more, and eating well.
Counselling is an effective treatment
modality.
STATISTICS
 WHO RESPONSE
WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020, endorsed by the
World Health Assembly in 2013, recognizes the essential role of
mental health in achieving health for all people. The plan
includes 4 major objectives:
• more effective leadership and governance for mental health;
• the provision of comprehensive, integrated mental health and
social care services in community-based settings;
• the implementation of strategies for promotion and prevention;
• strengthened information systems, evidence and research.
WHO's Mental Health Gap Action Program launched in 2008,
uses evidence-based technical guidance, tools and training
packages to expand service in resource-poor settings. It focuses
on a prioritized set of conditions, directing capacity building
towards non-specialized health-care providers in an integrated
approach that promotes mental health at all levels of care.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• www.psychiatry.com
• www.mind.org.uk
• www.who.int
• www.medicalnewstoday.com
• www.mentalhealth.gov
• Times of India
• Google image search