MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health Definition: Health is defined as a stage of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health is defined as a stage of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health is thus the balanced development of the individual’s personality and emotional attitude which enables him to live harmoniously with his fellow-men. Health is thus the balanced development of the individual’s personality and emotional attitude which enables him to live harmoniously with his fellow-men. 1950, WHO Expert committee on mental health reviewed the various definitions of mental health and observed, it is influenced by both biological and social factors. 1950, WHO Expert committee on mental health reviewed the various definitions of mental health and observed, it is influenced by both biological and social factors. The capacity in an individual to form harmonious relations with others. The capacity in an individual to form harmonious relations with others.

PROBLEM STATEMENT World: World: 500 million people are believed to suffer from 500 million people are believed to suffer from neurotic, stress related and somatoform. neurotic, stress related and somatoform. 200 millions suffer from mood disorders 200 millions suffer from mood disorders 83 million Mental retardation 83 million Mental retardation 30 million epilepsy 30 million epilepsy 22 million dementia 22 million dementia 16 million schizophrenia. 16 million schizophrenia.

Characteristics mentally healthy person A mentally healthy person has three main characteristics A mentally healthy person has three main characteristics He feels comfortable about himself, ie, he feels reasonably secure and adequate. He neither underestimates nor overestimates his own ability. He feels comfortable about himself, ie, he feels reasonably secure and adequate. He neither underestimates nor overestimates his own ability. He accepts his shortcomings. He has self- respect. He accepts his shortcomings. He has self- respect.

Conti… The mentally healthy person feels right towards others. The mentally healthy person feels right towards others. This means that he is able to be interested in others and to love them. This means that he is able to be interested in others and to love them. He is friendships that are satisfying and lasting. He is able to feel a part of a group without being submerged by it. He is friendships that are satisfying and lasting. He is able to feel a part of a group without being submerged by it. He is able to like and trust others. He takes responsibility for his neighbors and his fellow – men. He is able to like and trust others. He takes responsibility for his neighbors and his fellow – men.

Cont.. Mentally healthy person is able to meet the demands of life. Mentally healthy person is able to meet the demands of life. He does something about the problems as they arise. He is able to think for himself and to take his own decisions. He does something about the problems as they arise. He is able to think for himself and to take his own decisions. He sets reasonable goals for himself. He shoulders his daily responsibilities. He is not bowled over by his own emotions of fear, anger, love or guilt. He sets reasonable goals for himself. He shoulders his daily responsibilities. He is not bowled over by his own emotions of fear, anger, love or guilt.

Warning signals of poor mental health William C. Menninger, President of the Menninger Foundation, Topeka, Kansas, William C. Menninger, President of the Menninger Foundation, Topeka, Kansas, 1) Are you always worrying 2) Are you unable to concentrate because of unrecognized reasons. 3) Are you continually unhappy without justified cause. 4) Do you lose your temper easily and often. 5) Are you troubled by regular insomnia 6) Do you have wide fluctuations in your moods from depression to elation, back to depression which incapacitate you.

Cont.. 7) Do you continually dislike to be with people 8) Are you upset if the routine of your life is disturbed 9) Do your children consistently get on your nerves. 10) Are you browned off and constantly bitter. 11) Are you afraid without real cause. 12) Are you always right and the other person always wrong. 13) Do you have numerous aches and pains for which no doctor can find a physical cause.

Types Mental Illness Major illness are called psychoses. Major illness are called psychoses. the person is insane and out of touch with reality. Three major illness. the person is insane and out of touch with reality. Three major illness. 1 : SCHIZOPHRENIA : ( Spilt personality) 1 : SCHIZOPHRENIA : ( Spilt personality) in which the patient lives in a dream world of his own. in which the patient lives in a dream world of his own. 2 : MANIC DEPRESSIVE PSYCHOSIS: 2 : MANIC DEPRESSIVE PSYCHOSIS: in which the symptoms vary from heights of excitement to depths of depression. in which the symptoms vary from heights of excitement to depths of depression. 3 : PARANOIA: which is associated with undue and extreme suspicion and a progressive tendency to regard the whole world in a framework of delusions. The major illness are of two groups. 3 : PARANOIA: which is associated with undue and extreme suspicion and a progressive tendency to regard the whole world in a framework of delusions. The major illness are of two groups.

Cont… Minor illness has two group: Minor illness has two group: a NEUROSIS OR PSYCHONEUROSIS: a NEUROSIS OR PSYCHONEUROSIS: In this the patient is unable to react normally to life situation. He is not considered “insane” by his associate, but nevertheless exhibits certain peculiar symptoms such as morbid fears compulsion and obsessions. In this the patient is unable to react normally to life situation. He is not considered “insane” by his associate, but nevertheless exhibits certain peculiar symptoms such as morbid fears compulsion and obsessions. b. PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER DISORDERS: This group of disorders are the legacy of unfortunate childhood experiences and perceptions. This group of disorders are the legacy of unfortunate childhood experiences and perceptions.

Causes of mental ill health 1) ORANIC CONDITIONS : Mental illnesses may have their origin in organic conditions such as cerebral arteriosclerosis, neoplasm's, metabolic disease, neurological diseases, endocrine diseases and chronic disease. Mental illnesses may have their origin in organic conditions such as cerebral arteriosclerosis, neoplasm's, metabolic disease, neurological diseases, endocrine diseases and chronic disease. 2 HEREDITY : The child of two schizophrenic parents is 40 times more likely to develop schizophrenic then the child of healthy parents The child of two schizophrenic parents is 40 times more likely to develop schizophrenic then the child of healthy parents.

Cont.. 3. SOCIAL PATHOLOGICAL CAUSES: To produce any disease there must be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. To produce any disease there must be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The social and environmental factors associated with mental ill health comprise: The social and environmental factors associated with mental ill health comprise: Worries, anxieties, emotional stress, tension, frustration, unhappy marriages, broken homes, poverty, industrialization, urbanization,changing family structure, population mobility, economic insecurity, cruelty, rejection, neglect and the like. Worries, anxieties, emotional stress, tension, frustration, unhappy marriages, broken homes, poverty, industrialization, urbanization,changing family structure, population mobility, economic insecurity, cruelty, rejection, neglect and the like.

Cont… Environmental factors other than psychosis are: Environmental factors other than psychosis are: 1) Toxic substances; carbon disulfide, mercury, manganese, tin, lead compound. 2) Psychotropic drugs: alcohol, barbiturates, griseofulvin. 3) Nutritional factors: thiamine, pyridoxine deficiency. 4) Mineral : ID. 5) Infective agents: 6) Traumatic factor: 7) Radiations factors:

Crucial points in the life cycle of human beings 1) Prenatal period 2) First 5 years of life. 3) School child 4) Adolescence 5) Old age Thus throughout his life, the needs of man remain the same Thus throughout his life, the needs of man remain the same (1) The need for affection, (1) The need for affection, (2) the need for belonging, (3) the need for independence, (4) the need for achievement, (5) the need for recognition or approval, (6) the need for a sense of personal worth and (6) the need for a sense of personal worth and (7) the need for self-actualization. The needs only differ in degree and qualitative importance at various ages. (7) the need for self-actualization. The needs only differ in degree and qualitative importance at various ages.

Preventive Aspects Primary prevention: Primary prevention operates on a community basis. This consists of “ improving the social environment”, and promotion of the social, emotional and physical well-being of all people. Primary prevention operates on a community basis. This consists of “ improving the social environment”, and promotion of the social, emotional and physical well-being of all people. Secondary prevention: The consists of early diagnosis of mental illness and of social and emotional disturbances through screening programmes in schools, universities, industry, recreation centres, etc. and provision of treatment facilities and affective community resources. The consists of early diagnosis of mental illness and of social and emotional disturbances through screening programmes in schools, universities, industry, recreation centres, etc. and provision of treatment facilities and affective community resources. In this regard, family based health services have much role to play to cope with overwhelming stress, treat problems of individual. In this regard, family based health services have much role to play to cope with overwhelming stress, treat problems of individual. Family counseling is one method of treatment intervention in mentally ill patients. Family counseling is one method of treatment intervention in mentally ill patients.

Cont…. 3 Tertiary: Tertiary prevention seeks to reduce the duration of mental illness and thus reduce the stresses they create for the family and the community. Tertiary prevention seeks to reduce the duration of mental illness and thus reduce the stresses they create for the family and the community. In short, the goal at this level is to prevent further break-down and disruption. In short, the goal at this level is to prevent further break-down and disruption.

Mental Health Services Mental health services in a community are concerned not only with early diagnosis and treatment, but also with the prevention and promotion of good mental health and prevention. Mental health services in a community are concerned not only with early diagnosis and treatment, but also with the prevention and promotion of good mental health and prevention. 1) Early diagnosis and treatment 2) Rehabilitation 3) Group and individual psychotherapy 4) Mental health education 5) Use of modern psychoactive drugs 6) After-care services.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism Drug abuse: Drug abuse: Self administration of drug for non medical reasons in quantity and in frequency which may impair an individual’s ability to function effectively. Self administration of drug for non medical reasons in quantity and in frequency which may impair an individual’s ability to function effectively. Drug dependence: Drug dependence: State of psychic resulting from the interaction between living organism and a drug. State of psychic resulting from the interaction between living organism and a drug.

Dependence producing drugs 1. Alcohol 2. Opioids 3. Cannabinoids 4. Hypnotics 5. Cocaine 6. Caffeine 7. Hallucinogens 8. Tobacco 9. Volatile solvents 10. Psychoactive substances.

Drugs common in use today Amphetamine. Amphetamine. Barbiturates. Barbiturates. Cannabis. Cannabis. Heroin. Heroin. LSD. LSD. Alcohol Alcohol Tobacco. Tobacco.

symptoms of drug addiction Loss of interest in sports. Loss of interest in sports. Loss of appetite. Loss of appetite. Unsteady gait tremors. Unsteady gait tremors. Reddening and puffiness of eyes. Reddening and puffiness of eyes. Slurring speech. Slurring speech. Injection marks. Injection marks. Nausea & vomiting. Nausea & vomiting. Drowsiness, lethargy and sleeplessness. Drowsiness, lethargy and sleeplessness. Perfuse sweating. Perfuse sweating. Changing mood Changing mood Impaired memory. Impaired memory. Presence of needle syringes. Presence of needle syringes.

Factors associated with drug abuse Un employment. Un employment. Living away from home. Living away from home. Migration to city. Migration to city. Loose parental control. Loose parental control. Early exposure to drugs. Early exposure to drugs. Broken homes. Broken homes. Skipping from classes Skipping from classes Large urban areas. Large urban areas.