Healthy Minds Flashcards
Mental health in prehistoric society
- In prehistoric and ancient societies, abnormal behaviour was explained as the work of supernatural forces, the movement of the stars, the vengeance of gods or the possession of evil spirits.
- Emotional problems could not be seen so therefore they were hard to treat. Treatment of the soul; religious rituals, exorcism, sorcery, poisons.
Mental health 15th century
- The mentally ill were first institutionalised in the 15th century
- ‘Bedlam’
- quality of care and treatment varied; some were good, some bad.
Mental health late 18th century
- In the late 18th century institutions began to change from dungeons to comfortable conditions where patients were treated humanely. Informal counselling and keeping of patient records began.
Mental health 19th century
- In the 19th century moral therapy emerged. It was based on the idea that patients were ordinary people with extraordinary problems. Conditions actually worsened.
Mental health 20th century
- In the 20th century psychotropic drugs were used. The need for institutionalisation became reduced. Medical approach.
Biological level of explanation
The biological level of explanation focuses on behaviour and its underlying chemical and physiological processes (Altered States)
- Sleep, cortisol, exercise, adrenaline.
Basic processes level of explanation
The basic processes level of explanation refers to psychological processes that are universal among humans. (Learning)
- optimistic expectation
- problem solving skills
- finding meaning in stressful life events
Socio-cultural level of explanation
The socio-cultural level of explanation acknowledges the influence that other people have on an individual’s behaviour, such as families, friends, religious groups and a person’s culture (Social cognition)
- economic advantages
- support groups
- Relying on others
- caring and supportive family.
Person level of explanation
The person level of explanation deals with people’s individual differences that drive their behaviour, such as their personality (personality)
- Eysenck’s scale
- Social competence
- School achievement
- Intelligence.
What is a healthy mind
A healthy mind is free from mental illness, however it also possesses:
- Resilience
- Optimism
- Motivation
- Problem Solving
- Enjoyment of life
What is a mental disorder
A condition in which behaviours, thoughts and emotions cause distress to the person and significantly impair work, study or social functioning.
What is resilience
- The ability to survive stress and challenges in life. It is the capacity to cope with change and challenge, to bounce back and to weather the effects of stress.
How do we develop resilience
Through increasing protective factors and reducing risk factors.
Protective factors
- Caring, harmonious and attached family
- Security and stability
- Responsibility
- Good social skills
- Sense of self worth
- Internal locus of control
- Active lifestyle
- School success
- Positive environment
- Sense of belonging
- Strong cultural identity
Risk factors
- Disruptive family situation
- Cultural dispossession
- External locus of control
- Poor social skills.
Coping strategies
- Improving planning and organising (prioritising, breaking down into manageable steps, planning a timeline).
- Learning optimism (CBT)
- Using distraction (reading, playing games, exercise, meditation)
- Using social support networks (Sense of belonging, enjoying activities with friends).
Male coping strategies
- Use humour or jokes
- Physical recreation
- Deny anything is wrong
- Ignore the problem
- Substance abuse
Female coping strategies
- Cry
- Seek others approval
- Engage in wishful thinking
- Talk to others
- Worry
- Blame themselves.
Anxiety disorder
Symptoms - fear, anxiety and worry that goes beyond the normal and beyond the individual’s control.
There are 6 main anxiety disorders.
Generalised anxiety disorder
- Suffers experience persistent and excessive worrying about everyday things.
- Restlessness, sweating, nausea, difficulty swallowing, irritability, muscle tension.
- Treated via psychotherapy, education, relaxation and slow breathing training, CBT, hypnosis and drugs such as Valium and Ativan.
Panic disorder
- Some people experience recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, others’ attacks almost always occur when anticipating particular things.
- Palpitations and sweating, fear of losing control, choking sensation, feeling detached.
- Treated via psychotherapy and drugs such as Xanax.
Social anxiety disorder
- People with this are worried that they will be negatively judged by others.
- Fear speaking to authority figures, dating, eating in public, exams, public speaking.
- Sweating, blushing, dizziness, blurred vision, heart palpitations.
- Treated via psychotherapy and Valium.
Specific phobias
- Specific phobias stem from personal experience and tend to run in families
- Exposure to the feared object provokes an anxiety reaction, the anxiety and discomfort is out of proportion to the real threat, poor motor control, rapid heart rate.
- Psychotherapy with systematic desensitizing and assertiveness training.
Depression
Characterised by a disturbance in mood, producing either manic or depressive behaviours. The general symptoms include:
- Depressed mood
- Insomnia
- Reduced pleasure in normal activities/hobbies
- Weight change
- Lack of energy
- Guilt or worthlessness
