Mental Health & Hygiene PDF

Unit 8: Mental Health & Mental Hygiene Mental Hygiene Mental hygiene consists of measures to reduce the incidence of mental illness through prevention and early treatment and to promote mental health. (Singh and Tiwari—1971)  CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HYGIENE Prevention: The mea...

Unit 8: Mental Health & Mental Hygiene Mental Hygiene Mental hygiene consists of measures to reduce the incidence of mental illness through prevention and early treatment and to promote mental health. (Singh and Tiwari—1971)  CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HYGIENE Prevention: The measures to be followed in preventing mental illnesses are: Identifying the causes leading to maladjustment and taking suitable precautions to eliminate the same. Suggesting methods for resolving inner conflicts and frustration for getting rid of anxieties, tension and emotional disturbances. Cont.. Preservation Curative Measures The following activities preserve mental health: The following are some curative measures: Develop the inner potential of an individual. Adequately equip with the knowledge regarding types of mental illnesses and Attain emotional maturity and stability. disorders. Achieve personal and social security Suggest various therapies for treatment and adequacy. and curing mental illnesses and Promote healthy human relationships disorders. and group interaction. Suggest methods for rehabilitation and readjustment of mentally ill persons. Cont… Balanced Development of the Personality- holds the key for an individual’s adjustment with one own self and the environment. Lack of balanced development in all aspects of personality results in maladjustment and unhappiness. Leading Happy and Contented Life The ability of an individual to lead a fuller and a happier life is directly proportional to the mental health enjoyed by avoiding unnecessary anxieties, conflicts and frustrations.  An adjustment of human beings to the world and to Mental each other with a maximum of effectiveness and Health happiness. (Karl Menninger—1947)  CONCEPTS OF MENTAL HEALTH A Positive Attitude Towards Self - This includes an objective view of self, including knowledge and acceptance of strengths and limitations. The individual feels a strong sense of personal identity and security within the environment. Growth, Development and the Ability for Self-Actualization Indicator correlates with whether the individual successfully achieves the tasks associate with each level of development. Integration It includes the ability to adaptively respond to the environment and the development of a philosophy of life, both of which help the individual maintain anxiety at a manageable level in response to stressful situations. Cont… Autonomy- Refers to the individual’s ability to perform, in an independent self-directed manner; the individual makes choices and accepts responsibility for the outcomes. Perception of Reality- It includes perception of the environment without distortion, as well as the capacity for empathy and social sensitivity—a respect and concern for the wants and needs of others. Environmental Mastery- It indicator suggests that the individual has achieved a satisfactory role within the group, society or environment. He is able to love and accept the love of others.  He has an ability to make adjustments. He has a sense of personal worth, feels worthwhile and important. Characteristics of a mentally healthy He solves his problems largely by his own effort and makes his own decisions. person He has a sense of personal security and feels secure in a group, shows understanding of other people’s problems. He has sense of responsibility.  He can give and accept love. He lives in a world of reality rather than fantasy. He shows emotional maturity in his behavior, and develops Cont.. a capacity to tolerate frustration and disappointments in his daily life. He has developed a philosophy of life that gives meaning and purpose to his daily activities. He has wide variety of interests and generally lives a well balanced life of work, rest and recreation.  For unnecessary reason person show exaggerated feelings repeatedly for a duration of 2 – 3 weeks or more. Change in behavior Warning Frequent physical complaints like headache, signs of indigestion, nausea. poor Inability to adjust with people and situations. mental Unwanted thoughts in mind – suicidal, health aggression, repitition, attach etc. Insomnia.  Mental illness is a maladjustment in living. It produces a disharmony in the persons ability to meet human needs comfortably or effectively and function within a culture. In general an individual may be considered to be MENTAL mentally ill if : The persons behavior is causing ILLNESS distress and suffering to self and others. The persons behavior is causing disturbance in his day to day activities , job and interpersonal relationships.  In the past abnormal behavior has been attributed to supernatural powers. But to explain the causation of Causes of Mental Illness mental disorders various models have been put forward. 1. Medical model – focuses on the physical causes of mental illness. 2. Biopsychosocial model Mental disorders are attributed to be caused by biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. Biological Factors. Focuses on problems in anatomy and physiology of the brain and other areas. Psychological Processes. In this view, mental disorders are caused by inner turmoil or other psychological events. Sociocultural Context. This relies on factors such as gender and age, physical and social situations, cultural values and expectations, and historical eras 3. Diathesis – stress approach According to the diathesis-stress approach, genetics, early learning, biological processes, and stress levels may all contribute to psychological disorders. How are Psychological Disorders Diagnosed? At present there are two main classifications in Psychiatry. ICD 10 CLASSIFICATION DSM V OF & Diagnostic International Statistical Classification of PSYCHIATRIC Manuel Diseases DISORDERS th 5 version 10th version Prepared By: Mrs. Sharell Lewis  Description of psychological disorders 1. Anxiety is classified as a psychological disorder only when it becomes distressing or persistent, or is characterized by mal-adaptive behaviors intended to reduce it. 2. Somatoform disorders present a somatic (bodily) symptom— some physiologically unexplained but genuinely felt ailment. 3. With conversion disorder, anxiety appears converted to a physical symptom that has no reasonable neurological basis. 4. Dissociative disorders are conditions in which conscious awareness seems to become separated from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings. 5. Personality disorders are enduring, maladaptive patterns of behavior that impair social functioning. 6. Mood disorders are characterized by emotional extremes. These feelings are not caused by drugs or a medical condition. The two types are Depression is characterized by depressed moods and feelings of worthlessness, takes little interest in most activities, and derives little pleasure from them. Mania is characterized by episodes of hyperactive and wildly optimistic impulsive behavior. 7. Schizophrenia is a group of disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions. Delusions are false beliefs; hallucinations are sensory experiences without sensory stimulation. WARNING SIGNS OF POOR MENTAL HEALTH In Younger Children Changes in school performance Excessive worrying or anxiety Hyperactivity Persistent nightmares Persistent disobedience and/or aggressive behavior Frequent temper tantrums Cont.. In Older Children and Adolescents In Adults Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol Confused thinking Inability to cope with daily problems and Long-lasting sadness or irritability Extreme highs and lows in mood activities Social withdrawal Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping Excessive complaints of physical problems habits Defying authority, skipping school, stealing Strong feelings of anger or damaging property Delusions or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there) Intense fear of gaining weight Increasing inability to cope with daily Long-lasting negative mood, often along with problems and activities poor appetite and thoughts of death Thoughts of suicide Frequent outbursts of anger Denial of obvious problems Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol Promotive & preventive mental health strategies Prevention of mental disorders Promoting Positive Mental Health Prevention of mental disorders Primary Prevention Prevent the occurrence of mental disorders. Prepare people to develop stable personality Educate the community Education o pregnant women & mothers Identify high risk group Secondary Prevention Quick identification & immediate intervention Identify high risk group and help in crisis & stress management Tertiary Prevention Provide good rehabilitative services and after care. Follow up Family support Occupational training Recreational training  Training programs to teachers, police and social service agencies. Establishing community mental health centers Promoting Campaign for health maintenance, develop stable Positive personality, stress tolerance education, avoid alcohol and drugs etc Mental Families should teach emotional adjustment to children. Health Education to families to learn to have emotional adjustment. Counselling centers in schools and colleges Child guidance clinics, crisis therapy centers, family & marriage counselling centers etc. References Bernstein, D.A. Penner, L.A. Stewart, A. & Roy, E.J. (2006). Psychology, 7th edition.. Houghton – Mifflin: Boston. Reddy, A N V. Essentials of Psychology for nurses.1st edition, Jaypee: New delhi.. Sreevani. R. (2018). Psychology for Nurses. 3rd edition. Jaypee: New Delhi.