Psychological Problems

Question 1

What percentage of adults were accessing mental health treatment in 2007 and 2014?

Answer 1

2007 = 24%
2014 = 37%

Question 2

Explain increased challenges of modern living in terms of mental health

Answer 2

Those in lower income households are more likely to have mental health problems compared to higher income households
Greater social isolation due to city living increases long less and is linked to increased depression.

Question 3

Explain cultural variations in beliefs about mental health

Answer 3

In western society hearing voices is a symptom of mental health problems such as schizophrenia, but it is a positive experience in India and Africa
Some syndromes are culture-bound, occurring only in certain cultures

Question 4

Explain issues with characterisation of mental health

Answer 4

The signs and symptoms relating to mental illness are subjective

Question 5

Explain Jahoda’s theory of recognising mental illness

Answer 5

Signs and symptoms are focused on illness instead of health, in sheet she suggested that we look for signs of mental health. She listed six characteristics to identify illnesses.

Question 6

Explain the lessening of social stigma

Answer 6

Labelling a person as ‘mentally ill’ or ‘schizophrenic’ develops expectations about their behaviour. The preferred term is mental health, which has less stigma and is focused on health

Question 7

Define individual effects of mental health problems

Answer 7

The way that mental health problems affect the person experiencing them

Question 8

Explain damage to relationships due to mental health problems

Answer 8

They affect the ability to talk to others, which affects relationships because communication is important
They are isolating as people avoid being with others as they feel bad about themselves and fear judgement

Question 9

Explain difficulties coping with day-to-day life due to mental illness

Answer 9

Mental health problems are linked to difficulties with getting dressed, socialising, cleaning the house, etc. This could cause a patient little distress but it might be distressing to others.

Question 10

Explain negative impact on well-being due to mental health problems

Answer 10

If you are anxious or stressed the body produces cortisol. This prevents the immune system functioning properly, so physical illness is more likely.

Question 11

Define social effects of mental health problems

Answer 11

The way that mental health problems affect others in society

Question 12

Explain need for more social care due to mental health problems

Answer 12

Taxes are used to fund social care, offering people in need the basic necessities. Social care includes helping people to learn how to care for themselves and teaches new social and work skills.

Question 13

Name the social effects of mental health problems

Answer 13

Need for more social care
Increased crime rates
Implications for the economy

Question 14

Name the individual effects of mental health problems

Answer 14

Damage to relationships
Difficulties coping with day-to-day life
Negative impact in physical well-being

Question 15

Explain increased crime rates due to mental health problems

Answer 15

There is an increased risk of violence in people with mental health problems
However, this may be explained by co-occurring problems, such as substance abuse
It was found that only 1 in 20 crimes of violence were linked to mental health problems

Question 16

Explain implications for the economy due to mental health problems

Answer 16

The McCrone report estimates that mental health care costs £22 billion a year
Cheaper drug treatments should be researched more
Increase in dementia is also an issue

Question 17

What is clinical depression?

Answer 17

The name for depression as a medical condition

Question 18

What is unipolar depression?

Answer 18

Where there is only one emotional state (depressed)

Question 19

What is bipolar depression?

Answer 19

Depression alternates with mania, and also periods of normal mood.
Mania is an exaggerates state of intense well-being

Question 20

What is the difference between sadness and depression?

Answer 20

Sadness is a ‘normal’ emotion where you can still function

Depression involves an enduring and all-encompassing sadness that stops the ability to function

Question 21

What are the key symptoms of unipolar depression?

Answer 21

Low mood
Loss of interest and pleasure
Reduced energy levels

Question 22

What are the ‘other’ symptoms of unipolar depression?

Answer 22

Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in appetite levels
Decrease in self confidence

Question 23

What does a diagnosis of mild, moderate and severe unipolar depression require?

Answer 23

Mild - two of the three key symptoms plus two others
Moderate - five or six symptoms
Severe - seven or more
Symptoms should be present all or most of the time, and for longer than two weeks

Question 24

How does serotonin in the synaptic cleft affect depression?

Answer 24

High levels of serotonin in the synaptic cleft means the postsynaptic neutron is stimulated, improving mood
Low levels at the synapse means less stimulation of the post synaptic neurone, resulting in low mood

Question 25

What are the other effects of serotonin?

Answer 25

It affects memory, sleep and appetite. These are linked to the characteristics of depression

Question 26

What are the reasons for low serotonin levels?

Answer 26

Genes

Diet may cause low levels of tryptophan, a key ingredient in serotonin

Question 27

What is serotonin?

Answer 27

A neurotransmitter which has been linked to several behaviours including depression

Question 28

What is a strength of the biological explanation of depression?

Answer 28

There is supporting research evidence (McNeal and Cimbolic found lower levels of serotonin in the brains of people with depression)

Question 29

What are two weaknesses of the biological explanation for depression?

Answer 29

Low levels of serotonin could be an effect of being depressed rather than the cause of it.
Depression may not be solely caused by abnormal levels of neurotransmitters.