CHAPTER 3 NOTES Mental health – the state of mental well-being in which one can cope with the demands of daily life.

Do you feel good about yourself? Can you cope with problems effectively? Can you work through your problems with your friends? Do you have close friendships? Mentally healthy people can say yes most of the time to these questions.

Mentally and emotionally healthy people have the following characteristics: a sense of control ability to endure failures and frustrations ability to see events positively ability to express emotions in a healthy way

Defense Mechanisms Defense mechanisms are techniques we use to protect ourselves from being hurt. They provide a way to deal with problems and maintain self-esteem. Too much reliance on defense mechanisms is not healthy if they are constantly used to avoid facing an issue.

Self-esteem – having high self-esteem is important in developing and maintaining good mental health. Self-esteem is feeling good about yourself and the things you do. “A sense of confidence” High self-esteem gives you a sense of control

Self-concept – your current mental image of yourself, sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Self-ideal – your mental image of what you would like to be, should be realistic. (self acceptance) Integrity- doing what you know is the right thing

Communication Styles Passive – offers no resistance when challenged or pressured Aggressive – hostile or unfriendly, usually makes conflicts bigger. Assertive – healthy communication style that is direct and respectful

SYMPTOMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS too much or too little sleep feeling of extreme sadness unexplained mood changes drug or alcohol abuse inability to concentrate extreme anxiety or irrational fear personality changes false perceptions of reality

Types of Mental Disorders Anxiety disorders – constant fear, physical symptoms do not subside, chest pain, difficulty breathing, phobias are an example. Phobias – irrational fears Panic disorder – extreme terror, may come on very quickly Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – uncontrollable thought and actions usually repetitive (rituals) Post-traumatic stress disorder Eating disorders (often OCD related) see chap. 5

SIGNS of DEPRESSION lack of energy withdrawal from people loss of appetite or over eating too much or too little sleep feelings of helplessness or hopelessness Depression – feeling of sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, and despair.

Factors linked to depression: Family history, major life stress, physical illness, substance abuse Managing depression – try to identify why you feel that way. Put things in perspective, focus on positive Help for Mental Disorders: Psychotherapy Group therapy Medication

Other mental disorders: ADHD – attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Inattentive or impulsively hyperactive to the point that daily activities are hard to complete -easily distracted, difficulty following directions and completing tasks Hypochondria – belief of illness when none is present Bipolar disorder (manic/depressive)- uncontrollable cycles of extreme happiness and then depression Schizophrenia – false perceptions of reality, hallucinations and/or delusions. Usually presents itself in late teens to mid 20’s, begins as friendly, comforting voices that eventually become mean and frightening/violent. This disorder only affects about 2-3% of the population