Psychological Health Chapter Three © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Defining Psychological Health Positive Psychology Positive definition Abraham Maslow’s “Toward a Psychology of Being” (1960’s) Hierarchy of needs Realism Acceptance Self-concept Self-esteem Autonomy Authenticity Capacity for intimacy Creativity © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 2

What Psychological Health is Not Not the same as psychological normality Mentally normal simply means being close to average Psychological diversity Range of ideas, lifestyles and attitudes “Mentally ill” versus “Mentally healthy” © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 3

Meeting Life’s Challenges Growing Up Psychologically (Pg.66 Erickson) Developing an adult identity Developing intimacy Developing values and purpose in your life © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 4

Achieving Healthy Self-Esteem Developing a Positive Self-Concept Begins in childhood Integration Stability Meeting Challenges to Self-Esteem Notice your patterns of thinking Avoid focusing on the negative Develop realistic self-talk Being Less Defensive Being Optimistic © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 5

Maintaining Healthy Self-Esteem Maintaining honest communication Assertiveness training Dealing with loneliness Dealing with anger Managing your own anger Dealing with anger in other people © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 6

Psychological Disorders Anxiety Disorders Simple, or specific, phobia Fear of something definite Most common and understandable Social phobia 15 million Americans Fear of humiliation or embarrassment while being observed by others Panic disorders Sudden unexpected surges in anxiety Rapid and strong heart beat Shortness of breath Loss of physical equilibrium Feeling of losing mental control © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 7

Psychological Disorders Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Reaction to future threats is to worry Worries have taken over Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessions – recurrent, unwanted thoughts Compulsions – repetitive, difficult-to-resist actions Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Reaction to a severely traumatic event Treating anxiety disorders Medication Psychological interventions Cognitive-behavioral © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 8

Mood Disorders Depression Demoralization Dysthymic disorder Feeling of sadness and hopelessness Loss of pleasure in doing usual activities Poor appetite and weight loss Insomnia or disturbed sleep Restlessness or, alternatively, fatigue Thoughts of worthlessness and guilt Trouble concentrating or making decisions Thoughts of death or suicide Dysthymic disorder Symptoms for longer than 2 years Treating depression Medications, therapy, electroconvulsive therapy Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 9

Mood Disorders Mania and Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia Mania versus bipolar disorder Treatment Schizophrenia Not rare Uncertainty about causes General characteristics Disorganized thoughts Inappropriate emotions Delusions Auditory hallucinations Deteriorating social and work functioning © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 10

Getting Help Self-help Peer counseling and support groups Books Writing a journal Religious belief and practice Social network Peer counseling and support groups Professional help Determine the need Types of psychotherapy Choosing a mental health professional Psychiatrists Clinical psychologists Social workers Licensed counselors Clergy Treatment team © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 11

Suicide and Self-Injury Suicide statistics Prevalence Gender Ethnicity Age Self-inflicted injury Maladaptive coping strategy Possible warning sign See Figure 3-2 on suicide rates in the United States See box “Depression, Anxiety, and Gender” See box “Myths About Suicide” © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 12

Suicide: Warning Signs & Risk Factors Expressing the wish to be dead or revealing contemplated methods Increasing social withdrawal/isolation Sudden inexplicable lightening of mood History of previous attempts Suicide by a family member or friend Readily available means of committing suicide History of substance abuse or eating disorders Serious medical problems See Figure 3-2 on suicide rates in the United States See box “Depression, Anxiety, and Gender” See box “Myths About Suicide” © 2012 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. 13

Suicide Third leading cause of death for people ages 15-24 (scary) Rarely occurs without any warning Access to firearms may increase the risk, 83 percent of gun related deaths in the home are suicide.