Chapter 2: Psychological health Flashcards
what is psychological health (mental health)?
- a broad concept that contributes to every dimension of wellness
- our capacity to think, feel, and behave in ways that contribute to our ability to enjoy life and manage challenges
- good psychological health = values met around fairness, culture, dignity, interpersonal connections
- what is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
2. give examples of each tier
- Maslow said that people have a hierarchy of needs that is an ideal of mental health in people who live FULL lives
- physiological needs = food/water, shelter, sleep, exercise
safety= safe surroundings, protection by others
being loved = loved, loving, connected
maintaining self esteem = as a person, doer, in a relationship
self actualization = realism, acceptance, autonomy, authenticity, capacity for intimacy, creativity
what are the qualities of a self actualized person?
- realism = accept evidence that contradicts what they believe
- acceptance = of themselves that requires self concept and high self esteem
- autonomy = act independent of their social environment with an internal locus of control to act on their own guiding principles
- authenticity = not worried of being judged
- capacity for intimacy = sharing thoughts and feelings without fearing rejection
- creativity = open to new experiences and optimistic about the world
why is psychological health DIFFERENT from psychological normality?
psychological normality = average (like body temperature)
psychological health = encompasses diversity which is an asset in society –> bringing new experiences, ideas and attributes to the table
what are the stereotypes associated with psychological health?
- we cannot say that people have a mental illness or are mentally healthy solely based on the presence or absence of symptoms
- we cannot judge psychological health from looks
why are the 8 stages of development important?
each stage is characterized by a major crisis or turning point where growth is possible; early failures can have repercussions in later life
birth-1 year
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
trust vs mistrust, mother or primary caregiver, developing trust in others
1-3 years
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
autonomy vs shame and self doubt, parents, learning self control without loosing assertiveness
3-6 years
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
initiative vs guilt, family, developing a conscience based on parents prohibitions that is not too inhibiting
6-12 years
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
industry vs inferiority, neighbourhood and school, value of accomplishment and perseverance without feeling inadequate
adolescence
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
identity vs identity confusion, peers, stable sense of who you are
young adulthood
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
intimacy vs isolation, close friends, partners, live and share intimately with others (often in relationships)
middle adulthood
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
generatively vs self absorption, work associates/children /community, doing things for others
older adulthood
explain: conflict, important people, and an example of a task
integrity vs despair, humankind, affirming the value of life and its ideals
what is an adult identity?
a unified sense of self characterized by attitudes, beliefs, and ways of acting that are genuinely your own. without an adult identity, we face an identity crisis
what are the characteristics of a psychologically healthy individual?
- openness to feelings so being able to experience and express emotions
- altruism = unselfish concern for the welfare of others
- less likely to be hostile, depressed, vulnerable
- resilience = the ability to bounce back after a difficult situation
what are 2 essential factors for developing a positive self concept?
- integration = self concept that you make for yourself rather than adopting to the image that others have created
- stability = depends on integration of the self and its freedom from contradictions
explain what an increase in SE can lead to?
- increase in SE can offset destructive behaviours
- increase in SE means finding a balance between your idealized self and where you actually are
- SE is rooted in childhood but it ultimately comes down to the person because individuals are responsible for their own self esteem –> have control over shaping their sense of self
- what is hardiness?
2. what are the 3 important traits of a hardy person?
- works with SE to enhance psychological health
- i) high level of commitment to someone/something to assert purpose in life through difficult circumstances
ii) sense of control to reduce worries
iii) welcoming challenge to shape their own growth or development
describe the defence mechanism of projection
reacting to unacceptable inner impulses as if they were from outside the self –> a student who dislikes his roommate feels his roommate dislikes him
describe the defence mechanism of repression
expelling from awareness an unpleasant feeling, idea or memory –> a child of an alcoholic, neglectful father remembers his as a giving, loving person
describe the defence mechanism of denial
refusing to acknowledge to yourself what you really know to be true –> a person believes that smoking cigarettes won’t harm her because she’s young and healthy
describe the defence mechanism of passive aggressive behaviour
expressing hostility toward someone by being covertly uncooperative or passive –> a person tells a co-worker with whom she competes for project assignments that she’ll help him with a report but then never follows through
describe the defence mechanism of displacement
shifting your feelings about a person to another person –> a student who is angry with one of his professors returns home and yells at one of his housemates
describe the defence mechanism of rationalization
giving a false, acceptable reason when the real reason is unacceptable –> a shy young man decides to not attend a dorm party telling himself he would be bored
describe the defence mechanism of substitution
deliberately replacing a frustrating goal with one that is more attainable –> a student having a difficult time passing courses in chemistry decides to change her major from biology to economics
describe the defence mechanism of humour
finding something funny in unpleasant situations–> a student whose bike has been stolen thinks how surprised the thief will be when they go downhill and the breaks don’t work
what is the difference between being pessimistic vs optimistic
pessimism = a root cause of daily depression. pessimists expect repeated failure/rejection and believe that they deserve it–> do not see themselves capable of success
optimism = seeing the world and situations in a positive light –> would say that pessimism has the potential to be unlearned
what is intermittent explosive disorder (IED)?
when people’s anger is explosive or misdirected which is accompanied by depression or another disorder
- explosive episodes can cause make a person not think straight or act without their best interest–> can hurt others or themselves
- what are psychological disorders caused from?
2. what are the 3 broad types?
- result of many factors such as genetics, being exposed to trauma, and from those around you which influence your life significantly (parents, peers, others)
- anxiety disorders, mood disorders, mania/bipolar disorders
what are anxiety disorders?
anxiety is another word for fear, especially when not in any definite threat. when anxiety is experienced in almost all life experiences it can be called a disorder.
- differentiated from stress because the feeling is intense and debilitating, long lasting, and dysfunctional
explain each type of anxiety disorder:
- simple phobia
- social anxiety disorder
- panic disorder
- GAD
- OCD
- behavioural addictions
- PTSD
- simple phobia = most common from the combo of biological or life events; 13% of Canadians experience this
- social anxiety disorder = fear of embarrassment from others; 8-13% of Canadians
- panic disorder = sudden unexpected surges in anxiety, can lead to agoraphobia - fear of being alone and away from help
- GAD = excessive uncontrollable worry about all things; 2.5% of Canadians
- OCD = recurrent unwanted thoughts/impulses that are difficult to resist
- behavioural addictions = gets in the way of completing life tasks
- PTSD = reacting to severe trauma events that produce a sense of terror/helplessness
John is at a party and begins to have a sudden rise in anxiety. He fears that others around him are judging him and that he is out of place. His heartbeat begins to rise, he is not able to breath properly and he loses control
what broad type of psychological disorder is John experiencing. What subtype category can he fall under?
broad type = anxiety disorder
subtype = panic disorder (likely having a panic attack) from social anxiety disorder (being at the party with other people)
To pass his kinesiology class, Jack must complete a CPR training course. However, Jack has always had a fear of injured people and he worries that this will get in the way of his CPR training despite the situations being a simulation?
what type of anxiety disorder does Jack likely have?
simple phobia
Tanya has been having recurrent impulses that are leading her towards being obsessive over small things. For example, she is obsessed with not being contaminated with germs so she compulsively washes her hands every 30 minutes
what type of anxiety disorder does she likely have?
OCD
how can anxiety disorders be treated?
- medication (anti-anxiety)
- psychological interventions concentrating on a person’s thoughts or behaviours
- stress management or coping techniques
- exercise, proper nutrition, avoiding stimulants like caffeine
- what is an example of a mood disorder?
- what are the stats
- what are the symptoms
- what happens if the symptoms persist for more than 2 years
- depression
- affects 11% of Canadians aged 15+; W 2x as much, affects all ethnic groups but some more than others (indigenous)
- hopelessness, poor appetite, weight loss, insomnia, guilt, suicidal thoughts, irritability, sometimes symptoms are not physically present
- called dysthymic disorder = in people who experience persistent symptoms of mild or moderate depression for 2+ years
explain the difference in W vs M for the anxiety disorders of
- panic disorder
- OCD
- social anxiety
- PTSD
- panic disorders= 2x more in W than M
- OCD = equal
- social anxiety = in W more
- PTSD = depends on the event
how is depression treated?
- anti-depressors = affect key neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin)
- electroconvulsive therapy = when medications have failed for severe depression; an epileptic like seizure is induced by an electrical impulse through electrodes placed on the head
- seasonal affective disorder = depression worsens during winter months so its treated by having people sit in front of a bright light to simulate spring (less depression)
- what are mania and bipolar disorders?
- give an example
- how is it treated?
- mania = restless, need little sleep, talk fast
bipolar = from being manic and have depressive episodes; affects M and W equally - schizophrenia = disturbance in thinking and perceiving reality from chemical/structural differences in the brain, genes, or environmental factors during pregnancy
- tranquilizers, special drugs, regular medication
what is stigma?
a set of negative and unfair beliefs that a society or group have about something; discrimination and intentional or not
explain the models of human nature and therapeutic change
- biological model = the minds activity depends on the brain who’s composition is genetically determined (neutrons)
- behavioural model = focus is on what people do rather than brain structure/consciousness
- cognitive model = effect of ideas on behaviour and feeling
- psychodynamic model = emphasizes thoughts and how they can be changed by others
- cognitive behavioural = combines cognitive and behavioural models to focus on changing problematic patterns of thinking, involves individual/group sessions, combined with drug therapy for depression and some anxiety disorders
