U4AOS2 - Mental Health Flashcards
disorder
- a set of symptoms that interfere with daily functioning
- systems are reasonably consistent between patients but origins and causes may vary
syndrome
- a particular profile of symptoms
- the origins and clinical severity may vary
dieases
- condition with a treatable cause, predictable course and standard protocols for treatment
continuum
recognises the stages of being mentally healthy, having mental health problems and having a mental disorder
WHO mental health
- a state of emotional and social wellbeing in which individuals realise their abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work, productivity and contribute to the community
mental health problem
- temporary and minor, these issues may interfere with normal daily functioning generally for a limited time // most mental health problems and exaggerated forms of normal emotions
mental disorder
- more serious and long lasting compared to mental health problems, has recognisable symptoms and behaviours that need treatment
internal / external factors
internal (immune system, biochemical processes) // external (stressors, social situation or isolation)
diagnosis
a correct diagnosis of mental disorders is extremely important as it determines the course of treatment
- a classification system is used to identify symptoms and make a diagnosis and manage the mental disorder while also trying to clarify and define variables
methods of diagnosis (main)
- DSM is used in Australia and diagnoses based on the persons’ medical condition, stressors and the extent to which their mental state is interfering with their everyday life // it is descriptive and doesn’t identify causes or treatment
- ICD // International Classification of Diseases
good mental health description
good mental health allows us to experience life fully and appreciate our environment and relationships, mentally healthy people have high levels of functionality and normal fluctuations in mood
good mental health characteristics
- normal mood fluctuations
- calm state of mind
- good sense of humour
- performs well at work and school
- good cognitive functioning
- good levels of concentration
- normal sleep patterns
- few sleep difficulties
- physically well
- good level of energy
- physically and socially active
- maintains positive relationships
positive psychology
Martin Seligman argued in 1998 that psychology should turn away from their obsession with mental disorders to make an effort to understand and harness human strengths in order to deal with everyday life
- found major principles which were part of positive psychology
positive psychology major principles
- rise to life’s challenges and make the most of setbacks and adversity
- engage and relate to other people
- find fulfilment in creativity and productivity
- look beyond oneself and help others find meaning satisfaction and wisdom
ethics for mental health research
informed consent
placebo treatments
informed consent
- informed consent requires the participants to be aware of the purpose of the research and they know what will be expected of them when they participate, this means the researcher needs to tell them if they are in the C or E group or are deceived
placebo treatments
- participants need to know if their is a possibility they will get a placebo in treatment
- sometimes this means a participant won’t get treatment which is also an ethical challenge
risk factors
contribute to the LIKELIHOOD of a person either suffering from a mental disorder or experiencing a relapse
- not everyone who has a risk factor will develop a disorder
protective factors
guard against onset or relapse
the 4 P’s
predisposing
precipitating
perpetuating
protective
predisposing
increase vulnerability and takes into account things people may be born with
- inherited traits
- environmental exposures before birth (toxins)
- chronic social stressors
- brain chemistry
- ongoing medical condition
precipitating
may help the practitioner to understand current symptoms
- stressful life situations
- victim of emotional, physical, social or sexual abuse
- belonging to a minority
- traumatic experiences
- long term medicine use
perpetuating
inhibit recovery, make the mental disorder last longer than it usually would
- problems with alcohol, drugs
- social isolation
- relationship difficulties
- family conflicts
- homelessness and poverty
- medical conditions
- poor parental attachment
- previous mental illness
protective
prevent occurrence or reoccurrence of a mental disorder and include a person’s strengths, resilience and support
- good diet
- maintaining good physical health
- good sleep patterns
- ability to recognise early signs of relapse
- awareness of potential risks for relapse
- maintaining appropriate medication when relevant
- joining a support group
- learning about disorders
biological risk factors
genetic predisposition
physiological structures of the body
biochemical processes of the brain and nervous system
genetic vulnerability for disorders
- people can be more at risk of developing mental disorder if it runs in the family
- if a genetic mutation alters the creation of neurotransmitters this can put them at a higher risk of mental disorder
poor response to medicine due to genetic factors
- some individuals respond better than others to medication, depending on part of their genetic make-up and metabolism
poor sleep
- chronic sleep problems are associated with mental health issues
long term substance abuse
- this has been linked with a number of mental disorders
- addictive substances can change the way the brain works interfering with chemical transmission
- prolonged use of substances can have devastating long term effects on the way the brain functions
psychological risk factors
- personality, thoughts, feelings and behaviours
rumination
- refers to obsessive thinking and worrying about negative aspects of the past, present or future situations
impaired reasoning or memory
- associated with dementia, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia
stress
- can negatively affect mental health if not checked and maintained
poor self efficacy
- refers to the person’s general coping strategies and their perception of their ability to control the events that happen in their lives
social risk factors
the culture of views of a particular community can place expectations on people associated with the onset of mental disorders
disorganised attachment
- in which individuals in society who find it difficult to share their feelings or relate to others
loss of significant relationship
- loss of significant relationship might be due to the separation of a partner, death or breakdown or relationship