Mental Health and Distress Flashcards
How does WHO define mental health?
A state of welling being where an individual can realise their potential, cope with the normal stresses on life, be productive and contribute to the community
What is distress?
A generic term describing a range of experiences in a person’s life that are troubling and confusing
These experiences may lead someone to seek support
Has a wider scope that “mental illness” - may have symptoms of mental illness without being “ill”
What is psychiatry?
A medical speciality
Focus on study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders including affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities
What does psychiatry use to give a diagnosis?
DSM-5
What does the DSM-5 define a mental disorder as?
A syndrome characterised by dysfunction in the processes of underlying mental functioning (psychological, biological and developmental)
usually associated with significant distress/disability
What is clinical psychology?
The use of psychological theory, methods and clinical knowledge to understand, reduce and prevent distress and promote psychological well-being
Define psychological distress (clinical psych)
State of emotional suffering associated with stressors and demands that are difficult to cope with in daily life
What are the 5 defining characteristics of psychological distress (clinical psych)
- perceived inability to cope
- changes in emotional status
- discomfort
- communication of discomfort
- harm
What are categorical classifications associated with?
Psychiatry
How does the DSM-5 categorise a mental disorder?
- significant behaviours associated with distress/disability
- unexpected response to common stressors/losses
- manifestation of behavioural, psychological or biological dysfunction
- the deviance/conflict has to be a symptom of dysfunction in the individual
Did homosexuality use to be included in the DSM-5? Is it still included? What does this suggest?
Yes
Now changed to distress by homosexuality
Shows DSM can pick and choose what is considered a disorder
What are dimensional approaches associated with?
Clinical psych
What are the characteristics of the dimensional approach?
- no sharp defining line between normal and abnormal
- describe distressing experiences on a continuum with normal functioning
- inter-related
- Mental health = dynamic, fluctuates and responds to what is happening to us
Give examples of which mental health disorders the dimensional approach is better used for
- anxiety
- depression
- psychosis
- mania/grandeur
What word is often used instead of “patient”
Service users
Client
People with lived experience
Why is the term “patient” not used?
- often not useful
- may not have illness
- may not be accessing treatment
- may not be “help-seeking”
When does an issue with mental health become a problem?
When it is:
- prolonged
- uncontrollable - can’t cope
- causes disruption
What are the 3 approaches to distinguishing between normality and abnormality? (Psychiatry)
Social approach - approved vs. disapproved behaviours in culture
Medical approach - well being vs. endangering behaviours
Statistical approach - statistically usual vs. unusual behaviours
What is the categorical model? (psychiatry)
- assume sharp distinction between normal and abnormal
- rigid way of separating people
- yes/no approach into what is considered abnormal
What are 2 limitations of the categorical model?
- doesn’t work/apply to everyone
- leads to contradictions and arbitrary exceptions
How common are “common” mental health difficulties e.g., low mood and anxiety?
- 20% experienced in last year
- 30% experienced in lifetime
What is the medical (biomedical) model? (Laing)
- set of procedures in which all doctors are trained
- assume mental health difficulties are a result of physical problems and should be treated medically
- biological emphasis with medical treatments e.g., medications, electroconvulsive therapy
Name an alternative to the biomedical model
the bio-psycho-social model (Engel)
What are the 3 components of the bio-psycho-social model? Give examples
Biological - genetic vulnerabilities, physical health, disability, effect of medication
Psychological - cognitive style, personality, attachment style, emotion regulation
Social - social support, family env., culture, life events/trauma