Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) Practice Exam

What does a mental disorder affect?

1. A person's physical health

2. A person's mood, thinking, and behavior

3. A person's dietary habits

4. A person's financial decisions

The correct answer is: A person's mood, thinking, and behavior

A mental disorder primarily affects a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. Individuals dealing with mental health issues often experience changes in their emotional state, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability. These emotional disturbances can alter their thought processes, making it difficult to concentrate, make decisions, or see situations clearly. Furthermore, such disorders can influence behavior, leading to withdrawal from social interactions, changes in activity levels, or engagement in risk-taking behaviors. While it is true that mental health can indirectly impact physical health, dietary habits, and financial decisions, these are not direct effects of the mental disorder itself. For instance, changes in mood and thinking may lead someone to neglect their physical health but do not inherently indicate that the physical health is affected in the same manner. Therefore, the primary and most consistent impact of a mental disorder is seen in how it shapes an individual's mood, cognitive functions, and behaviors.