Introduction to mental health Flashcards
Describe the common physical, mental & behavioural symptoms of MH
Physical: headaches/dizziness, muscle tension, physical pain, stomach problems, chest pain, fast HR, sexual problems
Mental: difficulty concentrating & making decisions, feeling overwhelmed, being forgetful & prone to worrying
Behaviour: being irritable, sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, avoiding of places or people, drinking too much or smoking excessively
Describe schizophrenia & the meaning of positive & negative symptoms
A MH disorder that includes positive & negative symptoms
Positive symptoms is an additional experience indicating distortion of reality e.g., hallucination where they see/hear/taste/smell things that exists only in their mind, they are unable to have a clear view of reality Delusions are another example they can be political/religious; they are a false belief that conflicts reality. They are a conviction based and effect a person’s behaviour. Delusions can develop quickly or take time
Negative symptoms are an absence of a normal experience that indicate normal human behaviour. where people begin to withdraw from the world around them, take no interest in social activities E.g., Avolition, hard to find the motivation towards goals, focus is hard to manage, lack of self-care. Symptoms include lack of speech, disorganised speech & world jumbling.
Describe how MH individuals are stigmatized
A discretion of the whole person, refers to societal disapproval, where society places shame on an individual who lives with mental illness. E.g., , characters with disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder were sometimes depicted as “mad” or as threats to society. This approach ignores the complexity of these conditions and the fact that most individuals with mental illness are not violent. This leads to stereotyping of individuals with mental illness.
Define trivialisation
refers to minimising an individual’s behaviour, their illness is seen as easy to acquire, manage and treat. This reduces complexity & seriousness of the condition. It is made to seem less severe than it actually is
Describe at least 3 types of trivialization
Comedic humor: Using MH struggles as a joke, reduces seriousness of MH conditions, causing those not suffering with MH to see MH as invalid or not take it seriously.
Oversimplification: condensing MH conditions to simple solutions or behaviours, this makes MH seem easily solvable & ignores complexity of MH struggles
Quick fix narrative: presenting MH as being easily fixed or cure, this makes those suffering with MH feel as if their struggles should be short-lived, invalidates the effort of long term treatment
Name the theories for cause of MH issues
Biomedical
Social
Psychological
These theories provide a lens by which we view & understand the world, it helps us why a person is experiencing what they are experiencing, articulate why this is happening to them, how to help them & understand why different clinicians see the same problem as differently to us.
Describe the biomedical theory of genes on cause of MH
Genes: BM theory suggests we may inherit MI e.g., bipolar disorder, suggests some people have a genetic predisposition. Gene factors may increase likelihood of MH, a person’s environment may trigger the onset of these conditions
Describe the biomedical theory of altered brain chemistry on cause of MH
Brain chemistry (neurotransmitter imbalance): The theory suggests that these chemicals help transmit signals between nerve cells, so imbalances in neurotransmitter levels e.g., serotonin, dopamine result in MH conditions e.g., depression, anxiety or schizophrenia. Medications such as (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics) that aim to correct these chemical imbalances, alleviating symptoms. Suggest that a biological cause needs to be treated with a pharmalogical solution
Describe the biomedical theory of altered brain structure on cause of MH
Brain structure & function: some MH conditions are associated with structural abnormalities in the brain, this may arise during prenatal development, childhood, adolescence or trauma to the brain. E.g., brain scans of people with schizophrenia may show enlargement of certain brain ventricles or reduced gray matter in specific areas of the brain.
Describe the key criticisms of the biomedical model
- Reductionism: Some critics argue that the biomedical model oversimplifies mental illness by attributing it solely to biological causes, ignoring the complex interplay of mind, body, and environment.
- Stigmatization: By treating mental illness as a purely biological condition, individuals might feel reduced to their diagnoses, and their lived experiences could be overlooked.
- Overlooking psychological and social factors: The focus on biological factors can downplay the importance of psychological, social, and environmental influences on mental health, such as trauma, stress, and life experiences.
Explain psychological theories of MH
This theory focuses on mental, emotional & behaviourial factors that may influence MH. That MH arises from unresolved mental conflict, negative thought patterns and learned maladaptive behaviour. The theory recognizes the importance of one’s mind, emotions & environment
Describe Freuds theory for MH (psychodynamic)
This theory suggests that MH is a result of unresolved unconscious conflicts stemming from childhood experiences. They can manifest as depression/anxiety. Freud proposed defence mechanisms, which are unconscious strategies people use to protect themselves from emotional pain or anxiety. For example, repression. Freud theorized that problems during the stages of psychosexual development (oral, anal, phallic, etc.) could lead to fixations that contribute to mental health issues later in life.
Describe Behavioral theory (pavlov & skinner) on MH
This theory suggest MH is the result of learned behaviors, with these behaviours being unhealthy/harmful, learned through experience or environment. Pavlov, suggests that mental disorders like phobias can develop when an individual associates a neutral stimulus with a negative experience. . Skinner expanded on this idea by suggesting that behaviors are shaped by reinforcement (rewards) or punishment. In this context, mental illnesses like depression might develop due to a lack of positive reinforcement in one’s environment. Behavioural therapy has be seen to benefit those with MH
Describe the cognitive theory by Aaron Beck on MH
Beck proposed that MH is caused by abnormal thinking patterns. People with MH may have cognitive distortions, e.g., seeing the world in a negative way.
Beck identified the cognitive triad which involved negative views about oneself, the world, and the future. This mindset can contribute to persistent feelings of hopelessness and despair, often seen in depression. : People with mental health conditions may experience automatic negative thoughts that occur without conscious awareness, reinforcing feelings of inadequacy, fear, or sadness. CBT aims to help individuals recognize and challenge these distorted thoughts.
Describe the humanistic theory on the cause for MH (carl rodgers)
It focuses on personal growth and the innate potential for self-actualization. Mental illness arises when individuals’ needs for love, acceptance, and self-esteem are not met. CR proposed MH is caused by a mismatch between a individuals real experiences & their self-concept. This leads to a person feeling that they cannot live up to their ideal self. p to their own ideal self. If a person feels that they are not valued or accepted by others, they may develop feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, or low self-esteem, contributing to mental health issues.
Describe key criticism of the psychological model on MH
Overemphasis on the individual: The psychological model often focuses on the individual’s internal processes and experiences, sometimes neglecting broader societal, cultural, and biological factors that may contribute to mental illness.
Ignores physical factors: While it emphasizes mental and emotional factors, it can downplay the role of biological or neurological causes, potentially leading to incomplete treatment approaches.
Describe the social theory on the causes of MH
This theory focuses on societal, cultural & environmental influences on MH. In this theory MH is a result of stress, inequality & poor treatment of mentally ill people. This approach emphasizes the social context in which individuals live, including their relationships, communities, and societal structures, and how these factors can influence mental well-being.
Describe MH as a social construct theory
Some sociologists see MH as a construct, meaning that MH varies across cultures & time periods. This theory indicates that behaviours/feelings that are seen as abnormal may be labelled as illness when they are not pathological. What is considered “normal” or “abnormal” behavior is shaped by cultural values, and these definitions can change over time. For example, homosexuality was once classified as a mental illness, but societal views have evolved, and it is no longer viewed as such.
Describe MH as a social causation theory
Theory suggest that stressful life events play a role in onset of MH, especially in those already vulnerable. These stressful life events are more likely to have an impact when they involve social isolation/lack of support. B & H indicated that not everyone develops MH from stress, but are more likely to if you have a vulnerability e.g., Trauma or hardship experienced during childhood can increase vulnerability to mental illness later in life. B & H argued that social disadvantages and inequalities can increase exposure to stressors, thereby increasing the risk of mental illness e.g., social class, gender, marital status & family dynamics
Describe MH as a social response theory
It focuses on how society’s reaction to individuals with mental health issues particularly through stigmatization and labeling which affects the individuals. Individuals who display behaviors or symptoms considered abnormal or deviant are labeled by society as “mentally ill. Once labeled, individuals are often treated as though they have the condition, and their behaviors and characteristics are interpreted through that lens. This treatment can affect how they view themselves, interact with others, and participate in society. The label of mental illness often leads to social exclusion. Stigmatization can have negative consequences for recovery and mental well-being
Describe the key criticisms of the social model on MH
overemphasis on societal factors: The social theory is sometimes criticized for downplaying the role of individual factors like genetics and biology in mental illness. While social and environmental factors are important, the theory might not fully explain conditions that arise from purely internal, biological causes.
Complexity: Mental illness is a multifaceted issue, and focusing solely on social factors may ignore the complexity of other contributing causes, such as biological, psychological, or neurochemical influences.
Individual differences: The theory does not fully explain why some individuals are more resilient to stressors than others. It tends to generalize the effects of social disadvantage without accounting for personal differences in coping strategies and resilience.
Define recovery
It does not have a universal definition, but is seen as a journey that involves self-improvement & development. it focuses on one’s self-esteem & self-identity.
Recovery is a uniquely personal process that involves change from ones values/attitudes/behaviours. To contribute to a life beyond the limitations of illness. Recovery is a daily process
What are the aspects of recovery
Biomedical- blood tests, diagnosis, medication, outpatients
Psychological- counselling & therapy
Social-service user groups, challenging stigmas & adapting to an environment
Describe the CHIME framework
A framework used in the recovery of MH, emphasizes to improve the social & personal well-being of a person, it uses a holistic view in the recovery process. By indicating recovery is more than the absence of symptoms, but improving relationships, stimulating personal growth & striving to live a full life
What does C represent
C represents connectedness, it refers to the importance of a support network e.g., family & friends, this reduces social isolation, improves self-esteem and provides emotional support. Feeling connected to others make us feel valued, generating hope for recovery
What does H represent
H represents Hope & optimism, keeping a positive outlook & looking forward to the future, it reassure that recovery is possible, that there is a life waiting for you outside H illness. Hope enables us to set goals, maintain motivation and create a sense of self-determination. The presence of hope reduces despair
What does I represent
I represents Identity, redefining who you are beyond your MH illness. It involves self-acceptance, rebuilding of self-esteem, empowerment & acknowledging your strengths as a person. It helps you create a sense of worth as a person
What does M represent
M represents Meaning, which is to find a sense of purpose in your life, this gives you value beyond MH challenges, It involves figuring out what is important to you. Finding meaning often helps individuals make sense of their experiences, including the challenges they have faced, and creates a framework for personal growth and self-fulfillment.
What does E represent
E represents empowerment, taking control back over ones life, taking an active role in recovery. It emphasizes need for choice, autonomy & control. It involves advocating for yourself & developing skills to better manage MH leading to a more fulfilling life
What is recovery NOT
It is NOT:
- Solely focused on treating symptoms & using medication
- A model/framework
- A cure
- Led by medical professionals
- focused on benefits
Describe key criticisms of recovery
- recovery is at risk of being controlled & taken over by medical professionals
- the underfunding & lack of MH service means that service users are under pressure to conform to a narrow idea of recovery
- a meaningful recovery is impossible as there are too many factors e.g., stigma, racism, sexism, that exist which affect socioeconomic conditions
