Chapter 2 Psychological Health PDF

Chapter 2 Psychological Health Slides prepared by: Dave Kato MacEwan University Learning Objectives Describe what it means to be psychologically healthy Explain how to develop and maintain a positive self-concept and healthy self-esteem Discuss the importance of an optimistic out...

Chapter 2 Psychological Health Slides prepared by: Dave Kato MacEwan University Learning Objectives Describe what it means to be psychologically healthy Explain how to develop and maintain a positive self-concept and healthy self-esteem Discuss the importance of an optimistic outlook, good communication skills, and constructive approaches to dealing with loneliness and anger Describe common psychological disorders List the warning signs of when a person is considering death by suicide Describe the different types of help available for individuals with psychological problems Defining Psychological Health Maslow’s Hierarchy: Striving for Self-Actualization Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: Psychological needs Safety Being loved Maintaining self-esteem Self-actualization Self-Actualization People seeming to be living at Authenticity their fullest. Are not afraid of themselves Realism Capacity for intimacy Can be physically and emotionally Self actualized people are realistic intimate Acceptance Creativity Psychologically healthy people accept Can look at the world with renewed themselves for who they are appreciation Autonomy Can direct themselves 5 Happiness (Seligman) Three dimensions: The pleasant life The good life The meaningful life Not without critics Involves value judgements conflicting with psychology’s scientific status What Psychological Health Is Not It is not based on normality Being close to average Not seeking help for personal problems does not mean one is psychologically healthy Many people with mental illness do not realize they need help Meeting Life’s Challenges Table 2.1 Erikson’s Stages of Development Age Conflict Important People Task Birth–1 year Trust vs. mistrust Primary caregiver In being fed and comforted, developing the trust that others will respond to your needs 1–3 years Autonomy vs. shame and Parents In toilet training, locomotion, and exploration, self-doubt learning self-control without losing the capacity for assertiveness 3–6 years Initiative vs. guilt Family In playful talking and locomotion, developing a conscience (based on parental prohibitions) that is not too inhibiting 6–12 years Industry vs. inferiority Community In school and playing with peers, learning the value of accomplishment and perseverance without feeling inadequate Adolescence Identity vs. identity Peers Developing a stable sense of who you are—your confusion needs, abilities, interpersonal style, and values Young adulthood Intimacy vs. isolation Close friends, sex partners Learning to live and share intimately with others, often in sexual relationships Middle adulthood Generativity vs. self- Work associates, children, Doing things for others, including parenting and absorption community civic activities Older adulthood Integrity vs. despair Society Affirming the value of life and its ideals Developing an Adult Identity Development of an adult identity A unified sense of self Early identities are often modelled after parents Early identities are rarely permanent Identity crisis We feel confused as to who we are Developing Intimacy People with established identities can form intimate relationships: Open communication Long term commitment Love Persons without established identities: Have difficulty by being overwhelmed by the closeness and needs of another person Experience short-term superficial relationships May remain isolated Developing Values and Purpose in Life Values: Criteria for judging what is good and bad Living according to values: Consider options before making a choice Choosing between options without succumbing to outside pressure that oppose values Making a choice and acting rather than doing nothing Striving for Spiritual Wellness Spiritual Wellness Associated with greater coping skills and higher levels of wellness Very personal Hard to study – some explanations: Social support Healthy habits Positive attitude Moments of relaxation Achieving Healthy Self-Esteem Develop a Positive Self-Concept Begins in childhood Children need to develop a sense of being loved If rejected, may fail to develop feelings of self worth Grow to have a negative concept of themselves Integration Self-concept you have made for yourself – not someone else’s Stability Depends on the integration of the self and freedom from contradictions Meeting Challenges to Self Esteem Notice your patterns of thinking Avoid focusing on the negative Develop realistic self-talk Realistic Self-talk Cognitive Distortion Negative Self-Talk Realistic Self-Talk Focusing on negatives Babysitting is such a pain in the neck; I wish I didn’t need the extra This is a tough job, but at least the money’s decent and I can study money so badly. once the kids go to bed. I know I’m going to get a failing mark in this course. I should just drop I’m not doing too well in this course. I should talk to my professor to Expecting the worst out of school now. see what kind of help I can get. I could use a haircut and should try to exercise more. This way I’ll My hair is a mess and I’m gaining weight. I’m so ugly. No one would Overgeneralizing start feeling better about myself and will be more confident when I ever want to date me. meet people. It was nice of everyone to eat the dinner I cooked, even though I Well, the roast was a little dry but they ate every bite. The veggies Minimizing ruined it. I’m such a rotten cook. and rolls made up for it. I’m finally getting the hang of cooking! I am going to make more of an effort to meet people who share my Blaming others Everyone I meet is such a jerk. Why aren’t people more friendly? interests. I cannot believe I flubbed that solo. They probably won’t even let me It’s a good thing I didn’t stop playing when I hit that sour note. It Expecting perfection audition for the orchestra next year. didn’t seem like anyone noticed it as much as I did. It’s a shame Amir and Zara broke up. I wish I knew what happened Believing you’re the Amir and Zara broke up and it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have insisted that between them. Maybe Amir will tell me at soccer practice. At any cause of everything Amir spend so much time with me and our friends. rate, it isn’t my fault; I’ve been a good friend to both of them. Thinking in black and I thought that Bao was really cool, but after what they said today, I I was really surprised that Bao disagreed with me today. I guess there white realize we have nothing in common. are still things I don’t know about them. I stuttered when I was giving my speech today in class. I must have My speech went really well, except for that one stutter. I bet most Magnifying events sounded like a complete idiot. I’m sure everyone is talking about it. people didn’t even notice it, though. 18 Being Less Defensive Wants come into conflict with the people around you or with your conscience We may try to resolve the conflict internally with thoughts and feelings Drawback – may succeed in the short term – makes permanent solutions harder to find Table 2.2 Defense and Coping Mechanisms Mechanism Description Example Reacting to unacceptable inner impulses as A student who dislikes a roommate feels that the Projection if they were from outside the self roommate dislikes them Expelling from awareness an unpleasant The child of an alcoholic, neglectful father remembers Repression feeling, idea, or memory him as a giving, loving person Refusing to acknowledge to yourself what A person believes that smoking cigarettes won’t harm Denial you really know to be true them because they’re young and healthy A person tells a co-worker, with whom they compete Expressing hostility toward someone by Passive-aggressive behaviour for project assignments, that they’ll help with a report being covertly uncooperative or passive but then never follows through Shifting your feelings about a person to A student who is angry with a professor returns home Displacement another person and yells at a housemate Giving a false, acceptable reason when the A shy young student decides not to attend a dorm Rationalization real reason is unacceptable party, telling themselves they'd be bored A student having a difficult time passing courses in Deliberately replacing a frustrating goal Substitution chemistry decides to change majors from biology to with one that is more attainable economics A student whose bicycle has been stolen thinks how Finding something funny in unpleasant Humour surprised the thief will be when they start downhill situations and discovers the brakes don’t work 20 Being Optimistic1 Pessimism is not just a symptom of everyday depression May be an important root cause Pessimists expect failure and rejection Perceive it as being deserved Do not see themselves as deserving of success Dismiss evidence of their own successes Negative point of view is learned Has the potential of being unlearned Being Optimistic2 We are used to refuting statements: “The problem is going to last forever and ruin everything, and it’s all my fault,”… Refuting such talk is what a pessimist must do to avoid chronic unhappiness Recognize and dispute the false, negative predictions Maintaining Honest Communication Communicate honestly with others Others cannot respond if they do not know what the needs are Fear of denial of the request Assertiveness training Good communication means expressing yourself clearly Dealing With Loneliness Hard to strike a balance between being on your own and with others Some are motivated by the fear of being alone May be interpreted as a sign of rejection Loneliness is a passive feeling state Take action to change the situation Email and cellphones are immediate solutions Dealing With Anger1 Expressing anger is beneficial for psychological and physical health Overtly hostile may be counterproductive e.g., cardiac arrest Angry words may damage relationships Distinguish between expression of anger and reasonable level of self-assertiveness Intermittent Explosive Disorder Often accompanied by depression Renders the individual unable to think straight or act in their own best interest May lash out uncontrollably Dealing With Anger2 Managing your own anger Reframe what you are thinking at the moment Try to distract yourself – count to ten before you respond Take a longer “cooling off” period When thinking more clearly about the matter, return to it Dealing With Anger3 Dealing with anger in other people Can be infectious and disruptive to effective communication Acknowledge they have a right to be angry Verbal abuse is NEVER appropriate If person cannot be calmed, may be best to disengage Psychological Disorders Dimensions of Diversity Ethnicity and psychological disorders Expression of symptoms Assimilation Biological risk factors Anxiety Disorders Simple phobia Social phobia Panic disorder Generalized anxiety disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder Behavioural addictions Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Mood Disorders Depression Recognize the warning signs of suicide Helping yourself or a friend Treating depression Figure 2.2 Rates of Suicide, by Sex, Age, per 100,000 Population Canada Note: 1. “All ages” includes suicides of children under age 10 and suicides of persons of unknown age. Source: Adapted from Statistics Canada. (2020). Deaths and age-specific mortality rates, by selected grouped causes (Table 13-10-0392-01). Retrieved July 23, 2021. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1310039201 32 Figure 2.3 Nerve Cell Communication 33 Schizophrenia1 Can be severe and debilitating or mild and hardly noticeable 1% of Canadians have been diagnosed with schizophrenia Possible chemical and structural imbalances in the brain Caused by a combination of genes and environmental factors Symptoms include: Disorganized thoughts Inappropriate emotions Delusions Auditory hallucinations Deteriorating social and work functioning Schizophrenia2 Afflicted persons my be quite logical Need help from a mental health professional Treatment includes regular medication Temporary hospitalization may be required Models of Human Nature and Therapeutic Change The Biological Model Emphasizes that the mind’s activity depends entirely on an organic structure The brain in genetically determined Activity of neurons and complex chemical reactions gives rise to: Most complex thoughts Ardent desires Most pathological behaviour Pharmacological Therapy1 Inspired by the biological model All medications have been evaluated and are more effective than a placebo All medications require a prescription Medications may cause side effects: Antidepressants may cause loss of appetite or loss of sexual pleasure May have to try several meds to find one that is effective and acceptable Pharmacological Therapy2 Antidepressants Called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) May be effective in treating panic disorder and types of chronic anxiety May alleviate symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Mood Stabilizers These medications bring stability and calm to overactive areas of the brain May be used a prophylaxis treatment Pharmacological Therapy3 Antipsychotics These drugs are used to reduce hallucinations in schizophrenics Have a calming effect on agitated patients Anxiolytics (antianxiety agents) Most common of these agents are benzodiazepines Enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter – GABA – makes you feel calm Increases drowsiness – easier to fall asleep at night Pharmacological Therapy4 Stimulants Most commonly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Increase the activity of the central nervous system Anti-dementia Drugs Reduces the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in older adults Issues in the Use of Pharmacological Therapy Antidepressants are the most prescribed drugs in Canada Used to treat depression Lessened the stigma attached to the condition Has provided relief to many people Has raised many questions: Effectiveness Safety Combined therapies may be more beneficial than either treatment alone The Cognitive Model Emphasis is on the effect of ideas on behaviour and feeling Behaviour results from complicated attitudes, expectations and motives These therapies work by changing the way a person feels about a feared situation Changes the way they cope with the situation Exposes and identifies false ideas which produce negative feelings Taught to recognize unrealistic thoughts and substitute more realistic ones Psychodynamic Model Also focuses on thoughts Symptoms are the result of complex set of desires and emotions Active defense mechanisms Patients speak freely with the therapist Gain insights on how to deal with maladaptive behaviour Focus on the present Facilitates self exploration rather than explanation Evaluating the Models1 Therapist have developed a pragmatic cognitive behavioural therapies Combine the elements of the models into a single package Combined therapies have been developed for panic disorder, OCD, generalized anxiety disorder and depression Group and homework sessions have been shown to produce significant improvement Drug and cognitive therapies are sometimes combined Useful in depression Only effective so long as the drug is being taken People with schizophrenia must continue with taking the medication Continuing relationship with therapist is important Evaluating the Models2 Psychodynamic therapies have been criticized as ineffective and useless Hard to demonstrate success on specific problems Common sense dictates that opening yourself and discussing your issues can enhance your sense of self and reduce feelings of confusion and despair Getting Help Getting Help2 Knowing when self-help is required or which professional to consult is not difficult Talking about mental health is now more normalized in Canada Self-Help1 Begin with finding what you can do on your own Behavioural and cognitive approaches are useful More aware of self-defeating actions and ideas: Be more assertive Communicate honestly Raise your self-esteem Counteract negative thoughts, people and actions that undermine it Do not avoid the things you fear Self-Help2 Grappling with a painful experience provides an emotional release Develops more constructive strategies to deal with the situation in the future Journaling may improve physical and emotional wellness Religious organizations provide a social network and supportive community Prayer and mediation may offer a path for change and transformation Peer Counselling and Support Groups Sharing your feelings and concerns with others is a helpful way of dealing with psychological health challenges Being able to share with an empathetic person can bring relief Develop new coping strategies with others who share similar problems Most colleges and universities offer peer counselling through a health centre or psychology department Peer Counselling and Support Groups2 Most peer counsellors are students with special training May steer you to more formal support or simply provide a sympathetic ear May be listed online or in the campus newspaper Traditional Mental Health Support for Indigenous Peoples in Canada1 Colonization and intergenerational trauma have resulted in difficult mental health challenges for Indigenous peoples in Canada Effective and culturally appropriate supports must be respectful and honour the history and values of people harmed Holistic and traditional practices are paramount for healing among Indigenous peoples in Canada Traditional Mental Health Support for Indigenous Peoples in Canada2 Approaches may include: Healing or talking circles Engaging with Elders or healers Unlike the biomedical model, most practices are holistic in nature and grounded in ceremony These practices have produced an increase in cultural identity, community integration and political empowerment and an improvement in mental health Professional Help Determining the Need for Professional Help There are times that self-help or talking to non-professionals is not enough Professional help is optional and a matter of individual choice Some indications that may require professional intervention: Depression, anxiety or other emotional problems beginning to interfere with performance Suicide is attempted or seriously considered Symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, incoherent speech, or memory loss occur Alcohol or other drug use are an impairment to normal functioning during the week Reducing the use may lead to symptoms of withdrawal Choosing a Mental Health Professional Different professions and different roles Psychiatrists are medical doctors Experts in determining if a disease process is behind the psychological symptoms Involved if medication or hospitalization is required Clinical Psychologist Usually hold a PhD and are experts in cognitive and behavioural therapies Other professionals may include: Social workers Licensed counsellors Clergy with special training in pastoral counselling Various professionals may team up for an effective treatment Summary1 Psychological health encompasses more than a single state of normality. Psychological diversity is valuable among groups of people. Defining psychological health as the presence of wellness means that to be healthy you must strive to fulfill your potential. Maslow’s definition of psychological health centred on self-actualization, the highest level in his hierarchy of needs. Self-actualized people have high self- esteem and are realistic, inner-directed, authentic, capable of emotional intimacy, and creative. Summary2 Crucial parts of psychological wellness include developing an adult identity, establishing intimate relationships, and developing values and purpose in life A sense of self-esteem develops during childhood as a result of giving and receiving love and learning to accomplish goals. Self-concept is challenged every day; healthy people adjust their goals to their abilities Using defence mechanisms to cope with problems can make finding solutions harder. Analyzing thoughts and behaviour can help people develop less defensive and more effective ways of coping. Summary3 A pessimistic outlook can be damaging; it can be overcome by developing more realistic self-talk. Honest communication requires recognizing what needs to be said and saying it clearly. Assertiveness enables people to insist on their rights and to participate in the give-and-take of good communication. People may be lonely if they haven’t developed ways to be happy on their own or if they interpret being alone as a sign of rejection. Lonely people can take action to expand their social contacts Summary4 Dealing successfully with anger involves distinguishing between a reasonable level of assertiveness and gratuitous expressions of anger, heading off rage by reframing thoughts and distracting yourself, and responding to the anger of others with an asymmetrical, problem-solving orientation. People with psychological disorders have symptoms severe enough to interfere with daily living. Anxiety is a fear that is not directed toward any definite threat. Anxiety disorders include simple phobias, social phobias, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Summary5 Depression is a common mood disorder; loss of interest or pleasure in things seems to be a universal symptom. Severe depression carries a high risk of suicide, and seeking professional help for these feelings and thoughts is crucial. Symptoms of mania include exalted moods with unrealistically high self-esteem, little need for sleep, and rapid speech. Mood swings between mania and depression characterize bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia is characterized by disorganized thoughts, inappropriate emotions, delusions, auditory hallucinations, and deteriorating social and work performance. Summary6 The biological model emphasizes that the mind’s activity depends on the brain, whose composition is genetically determined. Therapy based on the biological model is primarily pharmacological. The behavioural model focuses on overt behaviour and treats psychological problems as bad habits. Behaviour change is the focus of therapy. The cognitive model considers how ideas affect behaviour and feelings; behaviour results from complicated attitudes, expectations, and motives, not just from simple reinforcements. Cognitive therapy focuses on changing a person’s thinking. Summary7 The psychodynamic model asserts that false ideas are fed by unconscious ideas and cannot be addressed directly. Treatment is based on psychotherapy. Help is available in a variety of forms, including self-help, peer counselling, support groups, and therapy with a mental health professional. For serious problems, professional help may be the most appropriate.