Psychological Problems Flashcards
incidence of mental health problems
MIND incidence rates per 100 people:
- depression: 2.6
- anxiety: 4.7
- eating disorders: 1.6
- –> 1 in 2 people will experience mental health problems
how incidence changes over time
adults aged 16-74 in the UK
-2007: 24% of adults had mental health problems
-2014: 37%
->increasing
more women compared to men and the gap is widening
increased challenges of modern living
- people living in lower income households are more likely to have mental health problems
- greater social isolation increases loneliness and depression
cultural variations in beliefs about mental health problems
- people around the world have differing beliefs about mental health, what might be regarded as abnormal in some cultures may be normal in others
- eg. hearing voices in the West is seen as an auditory hallucination symptom of mental health problems (such as schizophrenia) whereas in India and Africa its a positive experience
- culture bound syndromes only occur in certain cultures
- eg. eating disorders were relatively rare for many years outside of the Western World
characteristics of mental health
- doctors look for signs and symptoms relating to mental illness
- however the symptoms are more subjective and arbitrary than how it is for physical illness (eg. things like difficulty sleeping are hard to measure)
increased recognition of mental health problems
- symptoms are focused on illness instead of health
- Jahoda defined 6 characteristics of mentally healthy characteristics rather than illness and look for the absence of them
- eg.autonomy, self attitudes, integration
lessening of social stigma
- labelling people creates expectations about what that person will do/think (a stigma)
- using the term “mental health problems” (implies they can get better) rather than something like a “lunatic” (something permanent) or “mentally ill” creates less of a harmful stigma and reduces the chances of discrimination which can lead to difficulty finding a job
individual effects of mental health problems
- damage to relationships
- difficulty coping with day to day life
- negative impact on physical well being
damage to relationships
- often times mental health problems can affect a person’s ability to talk to others (eg. a depressed person may become very focused on themselves and find it difficult to understand what others are feeling)
- relationships require successful two way communication to function
- people with mental health problems tend to avoid others due to self pity and feae of judgement this leads to misunderstandings that could end the relationship
difficulty coping with day to day life
- having a mental health problem may make it difficult for an individual to look after themselves like having problems getting dressed, socialising and making meals
- may be distressing to others and themselves
negative impact on physical well-being
- people who are stressed often . get more colds and other illnesses
- when anxious or stressed your body produces a hormone called Cortisol which prevents the immune system from working as well as it should
- psychological problems make physical illness more likely
social effects of mental health problems
- need for more social care
- increased crime rates
- implications for the economy
need for more social care
- taxes to fund social care systems: they ensure that people in need are offered the basic necessities of life (food warmth and company)
- people living alone can also learn new social and work skills so that they feel more competent
- social responsibility
increased crime rates
- crimes that make headlines stick in people’s minds which make them seem like a commonplace
- people with mental health problems are 4 times more likely to commit a crime than the normal population
- it also may be due to other problems like substance abuse or lower standard of living and isolation which can cause their violent behaviour (this is difficult to differentiate)
- only 1 in 20 crimes of violence were linked to mental health problems
implications for the economy
- caring for people mental health problems is expensive
- McCrone report: care of mentally ill costs about 22 billion pounds per year
- more research should be directed at drug treatments as this method is much less expensive than psychological therapies
- cheaper drug treatments are needed
clinical depression
the term for this medical condition
difference between sadness and depression
sadness: -normal human emotion
-can still function
-temporary
depression: -abnormal emotional state
-enduring sadness for a considerable
amount of time
-stops ability to function
unipolar depression
person only experiences one emotional state of depression)
bipolar depression
depression alternates with mania and also periods of normality
how is depression diagnosed?
- using symptoms
- International Classification of Diseases ver. 10 (ICD-10) is the current version listing symptoms of depression
number and severity of symptoms
mild unipolar depression: -2/3 key symptoms -2 other symptoms moderate depression: -5/6 symptoms in total severe depression: -7 or more
key symptoms of depression
1) low mood: depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day (feels sad, hopeless, empty)
2) loss of interest and pleasure: diminished interest in all/almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day
3) reduced energy levels: lethargic feeling can have a knock on effect which can lead to patients withdrawing from work and social life
other symptoms of depression
4) changes in sleep patterns: reduced sleep (insomnia), increased sleep (hypersomnia) or premature waking up
5) changes in appetite levels: may increase or decrease leading to weight loss or weight gain
6) decrease in self confidence: like themselves less than usual
further symptoms of depression
7) reduced concentration and attention
8) ideas of guilt and unworthiness
9) bleak and pessimistic views of the future
10) ideas of self harm and suicide
outline the biological explanation for depression (nature) (9t)
Neurotransmitters:
-transmit messages chemically across synapses
Serotonin:
-low levels at synapse—>less stimulation of postsynaptic neuron causing low mood
-due to an imbalance of this neurotransmitter, mood related info isn’t passed
Other Effects of Serotonin:
-serotonin affects memory, sleep and appetite
-lack of concentration, disturbed sleep and reduced appetite
Reasons for Low Serotonin Levels:
-genes could cause inheritance of low serotonin production
-low levels of tryptophan (ingredient of serotonin) due to diet—>lack of protein or carbohydrates
-if diet is low in tryptophan the body wont produce much serotonin
what is a strength of the biological explanation for depression (9t)
*research support
P- there is supporting research evidence
E- lower levels of serotonin were found in the brains of depressed people in comparison to those who weren’t depressed
L- suggests that there’s a link between low levels of serotonin and depression
what is a weakness of the biological explanation for depression (9t)
*effect rather than cause
P- low serotonin levels could be and effect of being depressed rather than being a cause
E- negative thoughts could lead to changes in the brain and affect the production of neurotransmitters in the brain
L- means that low serotonin levels may be an effect of psychological experiences rather than the cause