Psychological problems Flashcards
What is mental health?
A person’s emotional and psychological wellbeing; this allows them to cope with the normal stresses of everyday life and to function in society.
What are mental health problems?
Diagnosable conditions in which a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours change and they are less able to cope and function.
What are some characteristics that a mentally healthy person will display?
- Not overcome by difficult feelings.
- Having good relationships with others.
- Being able to deal with disappointments and problems.
- Being able to cope with stresses and demands of everyday life.
- Effectively coping with difficulties and challenges.
- Being able to make decisions.
- Functioning as part of society.
- Positive engagement with society.
What is important to bear in mind with these characteristics?
Not having all of these, does not mean that someone has a mental health problem.
How do mental health problems affect an individual?
They affect the way you think, feel, and behave.
What are the most common mental health problems?
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
What are the least common mental health problems?
- Schizophrenia.
- Bipolar disorder.
What are the two different ways of identifying and diagnosing mental health problems?
- International Classification of Diseases. (ICD-10)
- Associates Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
(DSM-5)
What affects different beliefs surrounding mental health problems?
Cultural variations.
What has been believed throughout history about mental health problems?
Throughout history, mental health problems have often been believed to have a supernatural or spiritual origin.
If supernatural was a cause, what would they say it was affected by?
Suggested causes for people’s symptoms included possession by evil spirits, being cursed, and being a witch.
What did European and North American people believe during the 14th to 16th centuries?
Many people, especially women, were accused and tried for being witches.
What is one explanation behind people being tried for being witches in the 16th to 17th centuries?
It is now believes that mental health problems may have resulted in some of the behaviours that led to people being accused.
In which cultural group is having mental health problems seen as shameful?
In Asian cultures, mental health problems are strongly stigmatised and seen as a form of personal weakness.
What does this stigma lead to?
Can result in people experiencing economic, social, and legal discrimination.
What does stigma mean?
Situations, people, or characteristics that are disapproved of and seen as shameful by much of society.
What happens in cultures where a person’s behaviour reflects on their whole family?
It is common for people with mental health problems to be kept away from other people and cared for by their family.
What do cultural beliefs as a whole affect?
The type of treatment people receive. Treatments are closely linked to beliefs about the cause of mental health problems.
What is the treatment offered in cultures where it is seen as a biological cause?
Medication is commonly used.
What is the treatment offered in cultures where it is seen as a spiritual cause?
Treatments may range from prayer to exorcisms.
What is the treatment offered in cultures where it is promoted to share openly about yourself and your emotions are valued?
Self-help groups and therapy.
What is the treatment offered in cultures where it is seen to be shameful to have mental health problems?
People may be kept completely isolated and unable to talk to anyone about what they are experiencing.
What does emerging data suggest about mental health problems?
Worldwide, more people than ever before are being diagnosed with a mental health problem.
Which mental health problem is staying at a consistent rate?
Schizophrenia.