Module 5: Mental Health Awareness: Prevention, Early Recognition, and Support

Question 1

Tipping Point

Answer 1

• Right after optimal performance
• When someone begins showing signs and symptoms of the strain/burden of perceived stress.
• Different for each person

Question 2

Stress Diathesis Model

Answer 2

• The stress-diathesis model explains the tipping point where stress leads to medical or psychological conditions.

Stress
- Triggers multiple biological systems.
- The body’s adaptation to stress is called allostasis (maintains balance in response to challenges).

Diathesis (Vulnerability)
- Refers to a person’s predisposition to a medical condition.
Can arise from:
- Biological factors (genetic inheritance).
- Psychosocial factors (early-life exposure to stressors).
- Gene-environment interaction (GxE) (combined hereditary and environmental influences).

Question 3

Allostasis Induced Brain Plasticity

Answer 3

1. The Brain & Regulation
   - The brain plays a central role in the stress-diathesis model by interpreting stressors as either threatening or positive.
   - It regulates physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive responses to stress.
2. Stress Balance
   - Manageable stress can promote growth and resilience (known as the steeling effect).
3. Stress and Health
   - Chronic or overwhelming stress is linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes, including anxiety and depression.
4. Brain Structure & Plasticity
   - Stress triggers allostasis-induced brain plasticity, meaning the brain changes in response to stress.
   - These changes can be adaptive (promoting resilience) or maladaptive (contributing to disorders).
   - Loss of resilience is a major factor in stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression

Question 4

Stress Diathesis Model and Adaptation

Answer 4

1. Perceived Stress
   - The brain processes both internal (hydration, hormones) and external (work, relationships) factors.
   - Genetics and life experiences shape how individuals perceive and react to the same stressor.
2. Physiological Responses to Stress
   - The brain coordinates responses to stress through:
   - HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) – key in biological stress responses.
   - Autonomic nervous system – regulates involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate).
   - Metabolic system – influences energy use and storage.
   - Gut and immune system – impact digestion and immunity under stress.
3. Allostatic Load
   - Allostatic load = wear and tear from chronic stress and prolonged activation of stress systems.

Interventions to reduce allostatic load:
- Healthy diet
- Regular cardiovascular exercise
- Social support and a sense of belonging
- Quality sleep

• Reducing allostatic load can increase resilience against future stress.

Question 5

Genotype and Environment Interactions and Stress

Answer 5

GxE Interaction & Stress Sensitivity
- Your genetic make-up interacts with life experiences to influence your resilience or sensitivity to stress.
- Healthy coping strategies can reduce the risk of feeling overwhelmed and developing stress-related symptoms.

Positive Development & Flourishing
- Young people experience accelerated brain development, making this a crucial time for adopting healthy habits.
- A healthy lifestyle during this period increases the likelihood of long-term well-being.

Question 6

Common Mental Health Problems in Canada

Answer 6

1. Prevalence in Canada (2013 Data)
   - 11.6% of Canadians (~3 million people) reported living with an anxiety and/or mood disorder.
   - 23% of those affected had not sought treatment in the past year.
2. Depression & Anxiety in Canadian Youth
   - 10.2% of youth have experienced a depressive disorder.
   - 12.1% of youth have experienced an anxiety disorder.
3. Gender Differences
   - Depression and anxiety disorders are more common in females than males.

Question 7

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

Answer 7

1. Anxiety Disorders
   - Emotional: Feeling on edge, irritability, loss of enjoyment.
   - Physical: Restlessness, muscle tension, chest tightness, hyperventilation, fatigue, headaches.
   - Behavioral: Avoidance, short temper, sleep difficulties, forgetfulness.
   - Cognitive: Excessive worry, apprehension, trouble concentrating.

Note: Anxiety symptoms can overlap with conditions like ADHD, depression, and cardiovascular issues.

2. Depressive Disorders
   - Emotional: Persistent sadness, despair, non-reactive mood, loss of enjoyment.
   - Physical: Sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, body aches, slowed or restless movement.
   - Behavioral: Social withdrawal, skipping work/school.
   - Cognitive: Guilt, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, trouble concentrating, negative thinking.

Question 8

Indicators Between Stress and Mental Disorder

Answer 8

Disproportionate Reaction - The severity or intensity of emotional and physical symptoms is excessive compared to the situation.

Time - Symptoms persist beyond the initial stressor or continue for an extended period.

Impairment - The symptoms interfere with daily life, affecting school, work, relationships, or personal well-being.

Out of Character - Friends, family, or peers notice a change in behavior, mood, or personality.

Question 9

Diagnostic Assessment of a Mental Disorder

Answer 9

Developmental History
- The developmental history of the individual (i.e., learning, communication and/or neuromotor problems, childhood adversity).

Family History
- The family history of mental disorders to identify a predisposition, or genetic and familial vulnerability.

Symptoms
- The clinical course of distressing and impairing symptoms, in terms of onset and nature (i.e. chronic or episodic) and relationship to context/stressors.

Treatment
- The response or paradoxical worsening to any treatment tried to date and other physical or medical problems that might be contributing.

Other Factors
- Include lifestyle (exercise, recreation), misuse of alcohol and/or recreational/illicit drugs, current stressors, etc.

Relational and Social Factors
- The nature of the relationships, social connectedness, and environment.