Maintenance of mental health Flashcards
What are the three ways to treat mental health issues?
> Biological
Psychological
Social
How is medication used to treat mental health issues?
Anti-anxiety medications mimic GABA’s inhibitory effects to reduce anxiety.
How is relaxation techniques used to treat mental health issues?
> Replacing incorrect breathing techniques with correct ones
Poor breathing results in: high blood pressure, migraines, muscle tension
How is exercise used to treat mental health issues?
> Produces positive chemicals (e.g. endorphins)
> Uses negative chemicals produced in a stress response (e.g. adrenaline)
How is CBT used to treat mental health issues?
Focuses on helping the person change negative thoughts and behaviours and replaces them with more positive, realistic ones.
How is systematic desensitisation used to treat mental health issues?
Using classical conditioning principles
> Where a sufferer is gradually exposed to phobic stimulus while using relaxation techniques
NS + UCS = UCR
CS = CR
How is psychoeducation used to treat mental health issues?
> Challenging unrealistic thoughts for families and supporters
> Discouraging avoidance behaviours which can act as a negative reinforcer and strengthen the phobic behaviour
What is the transtheoretical model of behaviour change?
It assesses an individuals readiness to change by looking at the different stages an individual may go through as they move towards healthier behaviour.
What are the stages of the transtheoretical model?
> Precontemplation > Contemplation > Preparation > Action > Maintenance > Termination
What is precontemplation?
The individual has no intention to change behaviour within the next 6 months, and are unaware of the problem, requires a negative emotion to move into contemplation
What is contemplation?
The individual intends to take action in the next 6 months. They are aware of the problem, but hasn’t made a commitment to take action, may require an emotional experience that increases the motivation to change
What is preparation?
The individual intends to take action in the next month, making the mental preparations and commitment to change.
What is action?
The individual attempts to change the problem behaviour for less than 6 months.
What is maintenance?
The individual has now changed their behaviour which has been successfully sustained for over 6 months.
> They work to prevent relapse and consolidate gains.
What is termination?
The individual believes that the problem will never return, and a permanent change in the behaviour is evident.
