U4AOS2:MENTAL HEALTH Flashcards
Define mental health
Mental health is the psychological state of someone who is functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment
Define mental health
Functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioural adjustment such as being able to cope with challenges, working productively and connecting to others
Characteristics of a mentally healthy person?
High levels of functioning
High levels of social and emotional wellbeing
Resilience to life stressors
Define mental health problem
Disruption to an individuals usual level of social and emotional wellbeing
Define mental disorder
a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning
explain what functioning is
Functioning is how well an individual is able to individually operate in their environment.
Someone with high functioning tend to have
Successful relationships with others
productive at school/work
Everyday living skills
control of emotions
People with a high level of social wellbeing tend to….
Have healthy relationships
interact with others appropriately
feel self confident
What are the ethical implications of mental health research
informed consent
placebo treatments
Why is informed consent important in mental health research
People need to consent to an experiment, which may be difficult if they do not understand the proposed research and/or cannot give consent, therefore consent may be given by a participants guardian
Why are placebos a concern in mental health research
A concern for placebos is people suffering from a mental health disorder do not get the genuine treatment, so they may remain unwell and suffer, so researchers must consider giving placebos if there is a risk of significant harm in the absence of treatment
4 P’s
Predisposing factors
Precipitating factors
Perpetuating factors
Protective factors
Explain precipitating factors
Trigger the onset or exacerbation of a mental health problem.
Events that occur shortly before the onset of the disorder and appear to have induced it
Explain predisposing factors
Increase a person’s vulnerability to developing a mental health problem.
They can occur at conception or early in life and shape a person’s personality
Explain perpetuating factors
Prolong the course of the disorder and inhibit recovery.
Maintain the psychological problem and prevent resolution
Explain protective factors
Have a positive effect on the health of an individual
These factors are positive forces in a persons life that help minimise the occurrence or re-occurrence of mental health problems
examples of predisposing factors
family history & genetic vulnerability Physical illness Poor self efficacy neglect, abuse, trauma Disorganised attachment Environmental exposures before birth
eg. of Precipitating factors
- poor sleep
- substance abuse
- confronting news
- life event stress
- losing a job
- Loss of significant relationship
eg. of Perpetuating factors
- Poor response to medication
- Substance abuse
- Rumination
- Impaired reasoning and memory
- Avoidance behaviours
- Stigma
- Lack of support
- unemployment
eg. of protective factors
- a resilient attitude
- a positive social group
- a satisfying job
- suitable accommodation
Family history
Predisposing factor
Inheriting certain genes from a parent may increase a persons risk of developing a mental illness. They do not directly cause the illness, but traits inherited may contribute.
Physical illness
Predisposing factors
There is a link between depression and other mental health issues and chronic physical illness such as cancer.
Neglect, abuse, trauma
Predisposing factor
Being abused, neglected or experiencing traumatic life experiences can increase a person’s susceptibility to developing a mental health disorder.
Poor self-efficacy
Low self-efficacy is the individuals lack of belief that they will be able to accomplish a specific task
Disorganised attachment
Instability in a caregiving relationship can interfere with a child’s sense of trust and security.
Poor sleep
precipitating factor
Sleep and mood are closely linked; poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, and may trigger the onset of a mood disorder.
Substance abuse
precipitating factor
May trigger the first episode in what can be a lifelong illness such as schizophrenia.
Confronting news
Precipitating factor
Such as television footage of terrorism attacks can trigger anxiety, depression and even PTSD symptoms. The footage can be distressing to many people, particularly if they have family/friends involved
Loss of significant relationship
Precipitating factor
Can result in very strong emotional responses such as anger, feelings of rejection etc.
Poor response to medication
Perpetuating factor
Medications to treat mental illness may cause side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision and dizziness. Sufferers therefore may choose not to continue taking medication.
substance abuse (2nd)
Perpetuating factor
Can worsen mental health disorder and prevent a solution to it. Possible dependency which inhibits recovery
Rumination
Perpetuating factor
Obsessing about undesirable thoughts and feelings or life events can prolong the course of the disorder because negative thoughts are replayed over and over.
Resilient attitudes
Protective factor
Having a resilient attitude towards stressors in everyday life will enable a person to perceive difficulties as challenges
Positive social group
Protective factor
A sense of connection is vital to enhance positive mental health. Staying connected to positive social groups provide opportunities to get involved in fun and enjoyable activities
satisfying job
protective factor
Can create a sense of wellbeing and contribute to good mental health. Employment provides financial independence, social support networks and purpose.
explain the biopsychosocial model
The biopsychosocial model proposes that health and illness outcomes are a result of the interaction of contributing biological (internal), psychological (internal) and social (external) factors.
Explain cumulative risk
: the idea that the total risk to mental health is generated by the combination of multiple biological, psychological and social risk factors
Biological predisposing factor/s
Genetic vulnerability
Biological precipitating factor/s
- Poor sleep
- substance abuse
Biological perpetuating factors
- Poor response to meds
- substance abuse
- poor sleep`
Biological protective factors
- exercise
Psychological predisposing factors
Poor self efficacy
Psychological precipitating factors
Confronting news
Psychological perpetuating factors
- Rumination
Psychological protective factors
-resilient attitude
social predisposing factors
Disorganised attachment
social precipitating factors
loss of a significant relationship
Social perpetuating factors
stigma
unemployment
Social protective factors
- Positive social group
- satisfying job
Define specific phobia
a disorder characterised by significant fear of an object or situation
