1.04 - The Impact Of The Physical On Psychological Wellbeing

Question 1

What are some physical links with psychological health and wellbeing?

Answer 1

Illnesses/injuries, genetics, medical interventions and
developmental processes can affect physical systems, structures and processes which affect psychological health and wellbeing

Question 2

Describe how illnesses and injuries can affect psychological health

Answer 2

Certain illnesses and injuries can affect specific brain structures, neurochemistry and hormones which can have consequences for cognition, emotion and behaviour (& personality)
E.g. brain injuries, amputation, syphilis, hypothyroidism

Question 3

Describe how genetics can effect psychological health

Answer 3

Some psychological disorders have a strong genetic component.
E.g. Schizophrenia, Depression/Anxiety, Alzheimer’s

Question 4

Describe how medical interventions can effect psychological health

Answer 4

Medical interventions for illness and injury can affect a person’s psychology positively (antidepressants) or negatively.
E.g. pharmacological interactions/withdrawal/side-effects, electro-convulsive therapy, dialysis, amputation, chemotherapy

Question 5

Describe how physiological development can effect psychological health

Answer 5

Some psychological disorders only occur at certain phases of physical development
E.g. Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s
Schizophrenia only tends to occur during adolescence/early adulthood while alzheimer’s only tends to occur during later stages of life

Question 6

What changes can the physical links cause to elicit change in psychological health.

Answer 6

Changes to the CNS, PNS, neurotransmitters and hormones that lead to psychological symptoms/phenomena

Question 7

Provide an example of physical links to alterations in CNS and therefore psychological disorders

Answer 7

Phineas Gage (1848): Metal fencing post through frontal lobe. Personality changed from “decent and conscientious” to “childish and irreverent”. Mood swings, aggressive.
Another is Amputation: Neural pathways are disrupted but still “connected” to “limb” --> Phantom Limb pain (type of hallucination)

Question 8

Provide an example of physical links to alterations in neurotransmitters and therefore psychological disorders

Answer 8

Intervention – Benzodiazapines: Treat anxiety –> state-dependent memory: information learned while on Benzodiazepines is only remembered when on them.