Mental Wellbeing as a Continuum

Question 1

Mental Wellbeing as a Continuum

Answer 1

The mental wellbeing continuum is a tool used to track the fluctuations of mental wellbeing.

Question 2

Mentally Healthy

Answer 2

a generally positive state of mental well being, seen by;
● Good ability to cope with life challenges
● Working productively
● Goal and potential directed beha our
● A sense of connection to others

Question 3

Mental Health Problem

Answer 3

a mental state that adversely affects the way a person thinks, feels and behaves
● Not as severe or long term as a mental disorder
● Symptoms: worry, irritability, poor sleep, poor concentration, reduced
motivation, social withdrawal, poor appetite
● Everyone experiences these throughout life

Question 4

Mental Disorder (illness)

Answer 4

a mental state that involves thoughts, feelings &/or behavi ours associated with distress and impaired functioning in everyday life
● EG: Clinically diagnosed disorder (depression, anxiety, etc.)
● Mental disorders are organised into categories
● Diagnosis is based on standardised criteria

Question 5

Factors Influencing Mental Wellbeing

Answer 5

There are several internal and external factors that combine to influence the mental wellbeing of an indi vidual at different points in time.

Question 6

Internal factors

Answer 6

Internal factors are influences that originate from inside or within a person. (Biological & Psychological Factors)
Biological factors involve physiologically based or determined influences.
● These are o en not under our control.
○ Such as: Inherited genes, gender, balance of specific neurotransmitters,
and NS functioning
● Some biological factors may be under our control
○ Such as, diet and sleep hygiene
Psychological factors involve influences associated with mental processes
Such as: Ways of thinking, perceptions about self, others and external en vironment, beliefs, attitudes, prior learning, and response to stress

Question 7

External factors

Answer 7

External factors are influences that originate from outside of a person. (Social Factors)
Social factors involves influences that originate from outside of a person
These can include: Level of education, access to health care and community resources, interpersonal relationships, social supports, external stressors, level of income, risk to olence, exposure to social stigma, specific cultural background, values and traditions

Question 8

Variations for Individuals Experiencing Stress, Anxiety & Phobia

Answer 8

The continuum can be applied to specific types of symptoms, mental illnesses, or any other type of human experience.
Illustrated by variations for indi viduals experiencing stress, anxiety and phobia.

Question 9

Stress

Answer 9

Stress is a psychobiological response produced by internal and external stresses.
● Everyone experiences stress - considered a normal part of life.
● Potential stressors range from daily hassles through to traumatic events.
● Can be acute & short-lasting or chronic and long-lasting

Question 10

Anxiety

Answer 10

Anxiety is a state of arousal invol ving feelings of apprehension or uneasiness that something is wrong or something unpleasant is about to happen
● Body o en mobilises itself to meet perceived threat
● Short-term anxiety is an adaptive process.
● Mild to moderate can make us more alert and improve ability to cope.
Severe or exaggerated anxiety that does not subside can be counterproductive and disabling.

Severe or exaggerate anxiety is generally accompanied by intense physiological sensations and responses such as: Shortness of breath, sweating, trembling, nausea, stomach cramps, feelings of suffocating, feelings of losing control and/or feelings of impending doom

Experiencing anxiety for a prolonged period of time can lead to an Anxiety disorder (a term used to describe a group of mental health disorders characterised by chronic feelings of worry, excessive apprehension or fear about the future, with overall negative effects on their lives).

Question 11

Phobia

Answer 11

A specific phobia is a persistent, irrational and intense fear of a particular object, acti ty or situation, which is consistently avoided or endured with marked distress.
↳ Fear response for someone with a phobia is typically out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the stimulus.
What causes the Phobia: The specific object or situation producing the fear associated with a phobia is referred to as a phobic stimulus.
● Exposure to the phobic stimulus triggers an involuntary anxiety response
● There is variation between indi duals in how they react to a phobic stimulus.
● An indi dual’s reaction may also vary under different conditions.
Experience of a phobia typically involves both stress and anxiety at significant levels.

Question 12

Stress, Anxiety & Phobia

Answer 12

● Distinction; stress and anxiety can independently or in combination contribute to the development of a mental health disorder, but are not in themselves considered to be mental disorders.
● In contrast, any type of phobia is considered a mental health disorder
● Stress and anxiety are generally considered normal human responses that are
usually adaptive and beneficial (unless excessive and chronic).
○ Unlike phobias that ine tably cause distress and interfere with a
person’s day-to-day functioning through avoidance beha ours and fear responses.