Unit 11: Mental Health

Defining Mental Health• Not just the absence of mental illness• Now, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

promotes a holistic ‘positive psychology’– Promotes qualities that “make people flourish”– Includes

• Courage• Optimism• Hope• honesty• interpersonal skills• work ethic• perseverance

CMHA mental health assessment criteria

• Ability to enjoy life• Resilience• Balance• Flexibility• Self-actualization

Self-actualized people

• Have a realistic and positive self-image• They accept themselves and others as they

are• They are autonomous• They are genuine and spontaneous• They are capable of intimacy• They are creative, playful and accept change

CMHA Mental Fitness Tips• Daydream of an ideal setting• “collect” positive emotional moments• Learn ways to cope with negative thoughts• Do one thing at a time• Exercise• Enjoy hobbies• Set personal goals• Keep a journal/ talk to the wall• Share humour• Volunteer• Treat yourself well

MENTAL ILLNESS

Mental Illness Overview

• 1/5 Canadian will experience a mental health issue in their lives

• The economic cost of mental illnesses ≈$7.3 billion (1993)

Mental Illness Stigmas

• Stigmas often limit diagnosis– Unfortunate since there is effective treatment for

most illnesses

• Myths about mental illness– Those affected are violent and dangerous– Those affected are poor and/or less intelligent– It is caused by a personal weakness– It is a single, rare disorder

Defence mechanisms• Defence mechanisms are a Freudian concept which

outlines ways we deal with undesired situations.• They can be negative to our mental health and lead

to maladaptive behaviour• Examples:– Fantasies– Repression– Sublimation/Displacement– Denial– Delusion– Acting out– Intellectualization

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

1. Mood Disorders

• 1/7 Canadians have at some point in their lives showed symptoms that qualify for mood disorder diagnosis– 12.2% depression– 2.4% bipolar

Causes/ risk factors for mood disorders• No single cause

– Family history– Genetics– Changes in brain signalling

• Neurotransmitters – Previous episode– Stress (maybe only for initial episode)– Traumatic life event– Socio-economic factors (income, housing, prejudice, workplace

stress)– Chronic medical condition– Females twice as likely than males

Diagnosing Depression:Signs to look for

• Feeling worthless, helpless, hopeless• Sleeping more than usual• Eating more/less than usual• Difficulty concentrating• Loss of interest• Decreased sex drive• Feeling unreasonably guilty• Loss of energy, feeling tired• Thoughts of death, suicide

Bipolar disorder

• Formally “manic depression”• Their mood “swings” between a depressed

state and a state of mania.• Mania is characterized by:– Elevated, and/orirritable mood– Hyperactivity– Difficulty sleeping– Extreme optimism– Feelings of invincibility

Treatment for Mood disorders

• Psychotherapy– Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

• Drug therapy

2. ANXIETY DISORDERS

Anxiety Disorders

• Most common mental health problem• 1 in 10 people suffer from them• More common among women then men• Those afflicted suffer from intense, prolonged

fear and distress without obvious reason

Panic Disorder• Evidenced by repeated, spontaneous panic

attacks– Feelings of impending doom that occur suddenly

with no warning– High heart rate, sweating, weakness, faintness

dizziness often accompany panic attack

• Often have intense anxiety between attacks

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)• Chronic worry/tension without anything to

warrant you feeling that way• Anticipate the worst• Trouble sleeping• Accompanying physical symptoms: trembling,

twitching, muscle tension, irritability, sweating

Phobias

• Phobias typically trigger extreme anxiety and panic; typically illogical fear

• There are 2 types of phobias• 1. Social phobias– An intense fear of being humiliated/embarrassed

in social situations

• 2. Specific phobias– Fear of flying, fear of heights, arachnophobia

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Specific, time-consuming obsessions lead to....• Compulsions/Rituals: “I have to do this”

Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

• 1. Drug Therapy– Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety

• 2. Cognitive behavioural therapy– Positive thought replacement– Exposure/response therapy– Diary of events and the feelings that go with– Questioning thoughts and assumptions– Relaxation– Distraction techniques

3. SCHIZOPHRENIA

Cause of Schizophrenia

• Cause is unknown and complex:– Changes in brain chemistry• Neurotransmitter changes

– Changes in brain structure– Genetic factors– Viral infections?– Head injuries?– Drug abuse– Social isolation

Symptoms of Schizophrenia• Positive symptoms (symptoms which are present and should be

absent)– Hallucinations– Delusions– Thought disorder– Altered sense of self

• Negative symptoms (those that are absent which should be present)– Lack of motivation– Blunted feelings– Depression– Social withdrawal

Schizophrenia Treatment

• Hospitalization• Drug therapy• Psychotherapy• Electroconvulsive therapy

4. SUICIDE

Suicide Overview• 3500-4000 Canadians kill themselves every year• 80% of cases = men: #1 cause of death for men 25-29, 40-44• High risk subgroups– Aboriginals that live on reserves twice as likely– Those with physical or mental illness– Drug abusers– Gays and lesbians– People in jail– Those who have previously attempted suicide– Young people– Those who are experiencing a major loss (job, loved one, divorce)

Personal level suicide prevention: what to do if someone you know is

suicidal• Express concern: show love + caring• Encourage conversation• Ask direct questions: “are you thinking about suicide”• Encourage seeking professional help• Ask the person about recent events• If danger is immediate: don’t leave them alone• Call a crisis center• At SFU: contact Health, Career and Counselling

Services• The CMHA says that the single most important thing

you can do is to : listen without judgement

STRESS

Stress overview• Your body tends to regulate itself very tightly,

keeping body systems in a state of dynamic equilibrium = homeostasis

• Dr. Hans Seyle defined stress as an event that shifts the body away from homeostasis

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

• GAS is the generalized way the human body responds to various stressors

• 1. alarm stage; fight or flight response• 2. resistance stage; cortisol released to resist

stress, bring body back towards homeostasis• 3. exhaustion

Stress vs Distress• Not all stress is bad!

• Distress = too little or too much stress

• Eustress = optimal “good” stress

Stress management

• Three main approaches– Change the stressor– Remove yourself from the stressor– Change your response to the stressor

Stress management• Specific stress management strategies– Know yourself and what you can handle– Develop communication skills: talk to others about it– Time manage properly so you don’t have too much to

do all at once– Make time for exercise, enjoyable activities– Have a good sense of humour– Be optimistic– Rest– Sleep