1.1 mental health Flashcards
what is a psychologist?
professional train in the science of how people think, feel and behave
what is a psychiatrist?
qualified medical doctor who has obtained additional qualifications to become a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses.
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in mental health.
how many years of study (psychologist)?
minimum 6 years of university training and supervised practical experience
how many years of study (psychiatrist)?
involves at least 11 years of study, usually more.
psychologists must be registered by
the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
how do other mental health workers work with psychologists and other professionals and team members?
providing treatment, info, support, care
well known and non-profit mental health organisations?
headspace
kids helpline
beyond blue
SANE
Black dog institute
what is assessment?
collecting and interpreting information about how a person, thinks, feels and behaves in order to make a diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can be provided
what does assessment include
may include information about
- the individual’s psychological development
- and whatever else may be of relevance to the issues and concerns that are presented.
Overall, biological, psychological and social factors will be considered.
what is assessment known as?
formally referred to as aclinical assessment
why is assessment referred to as clinical assessment?
to distinguish it from other types of assessments which people experience in other settings
what is diagnosis?
the process of identifying the type of disorder affecting an individual on the basis of its signs and symptoms, through the use of assessment techniques and other available evidence
the classification of the individual on the basis of a specific disorder or set of characteristics.
The term diagnosis also refers to the decision resulting from the identification or classification process
what does DSM stand for?
theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of MentalDisorders
what is the DSM?
The most widely adopted system with categories of disorders that is used for diagnostic purposes in Australia
provides a system for classifying and diagnosing mental disorders based on recognisable signs and symptoms.
when was the DSM first developed?
It was first developed by the American Psychiatric Association in 1952
what is the current edition of the DSM?
fifth edition, called DSM‑5-TR.
in the DSM, for each disorder, there is a description of:
- essential features and associated features
- its typical course, i.e. how the disorder is likely to progress
- age of onset, i.e. age at which people are more likely to develop the disorder
- the degree of impairment
- the prevalence of the disorder ie. how commonly it occurs
- familial pattern, i.e. whether the disorder runs in families
- the relationship of the disorder to gender, age and culture
- differential diagnosis, i.e. how to distinguish the disorder from others with common symptoms.
what is mental health?
the current state of a person’s psychological wellbeing and functioning.
what is good mental health?
a state of wellbeing in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community
More than the absence of mental ill-health
how is good mental health reflected?
reflected in how well we deal with the positive and negative emotions associated with the various events in our lives
how does a mental health problem occur?
often occurs as a result of a life stressor
what is a mental health disorder?
diagnosed psychological state characterised by the presence of a severe disturbance, sense of distress, and thoughts, feelings and/or behaviours that are atypical to the person and significantly impact their ability to function independently
difference between a mental health problem and disorder?
mental health problems are
- usually less severe and of a shorter duration than a mental disorder.
- will often resolve with time or when the stressor changes or passes.
BUT IF IT PERSISTS OR INCREASES IN SEVERITY, may develop into a mental disorder.
what is labelling?
used to describe the process of classifying and naming a mental disorder following a diagnosis.
what is stigma?
a sign of social unacceptability or undesirability, often involving shame or disgrace
what is social stigma?
the negative attitudes and beliefs held in the wider community that lead people to fear, reject, avoid and discriminate against people with a mental disorder
what is self-stigma?
when an individual accepts the negative views and reactions of others, internalises them, and applies them to themselves, thereby affecting how they feel about themselves and leading to low self-esteem and low self-confidence in their abilities
why is labelling useful?
- assists in identifying symptoms associated with a disorder
- assists in classifying a person with/as having a specific disorder
- assists in identifying appropriate treatment and management of a disorder
- enables a common understanding of the person’s condition when health professionals communicate about the person
- useful when reporting research on a disorder.
