Chapter 3 Psychological Health

Psychological Health Contributes to every dimension of wellness Defining psychological health Positively (presence of wellness) Negatively (absence of sickness)

Positive Psychology (1) Abraham Maslow’s Toward a Psychology of Being (1968) Hierarchy of needs Physiological needs Safety and security Love and belongingness Self-esteem Self-actualization

Positive Psychology (2) Self-Actualization Realism Acceptance Self-concept; Self-esteem Autonomy Inner-directed and act independently of social environments Authenticity Not afraid to be themselves Capacity for intimacy Creativity

Meeting Life’s Challenges Growing up psychologically Erik Erickson’s stages of life Developing an adult identity Identity crisis Developing intimacy Developing values and purpose in your life

Achieving Healthy Self-Esteem (1) Developing a positive self-concept Integration Positive characteristics adopted from parents, resulting in a new, individual personality Stability Unstable self-concepts makes it impossible to see ones self and others realistically

Achieving Healthy Self-Esteem (2) Meeting challenges to self-esteem Challenge your self-concept Acknowledge that something has gone wrong Notice your patterns of thinking Cognitive distortions Avoid focusing on the negative Develop realistic self-talk

Psychological Defense Mechanisms— Healthy and Unhealthy (1) Healthy and adaptive—humor, altruism Can also be maladaptive; obscuring solutions Being optimistic Maintaining honest communication Assertiveness training

Psychological Defense Mechanisms— Healthy and Unhealthy (2) Dealing with loneliness Dealing with anger Reframe/manage anger by being less defensive Distract/disengage by counting to 10

Psychological Disorders (1) Anxiety disorders Specific phobia Fear of something definite Social phobia Fear of humiliation or embarrassment while being observed by others Panic disorder Sudden unexpected surges in anxiety Agoraphobia Panic attacks

Psychological Disorders (2) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Excessive and uncontrolled worry about many issues Persistent feeling of nervousness, depression Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Obsessions: recurrent, unwanted thoughts or impulses Compulsions: repetitive, difficult-to-resist actions

Psychological Disorders (3) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Reaction to a severely traumatic event Acute stress disorder if symptoms resolve in less than a month Treatment for anxiety disorders Medication Psychological interventions Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Inattention Hyperactivity Impulsivity To be diagnosed with ADHD: Symptoms before age 12 Persistent pattern of behaviors Present in two or more settings

Mood Disorders Depression Most common mood disorder Demoralization Feeling of sadness and hopelessness Loss of pleasure Poor appetite, insomnia, restlessness Thoughts of worthlessness Trouble concentrating Thoughts of death or suicide Dysthymic disorder Symptoms for longer than 2 years

Treating Depression Treatment depends on severity Drug therapy Antidepressants Target key neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin Psychotherapy Hospitalization if suicidal Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Light therapy for those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Mania and Bipolar Depression Mood disorder characterized by excessive elation, irritability, talkativeness, inflated self-esteem Bipolar disorder Mental illness characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Mental disorder that affects thinking and perceptions of reality General characteristics Disorganized thoughts Inappropriate emotions Delusions Auditory hallucinations Deteriorating social and work function

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Suicide Expressing the “wish” to be dead Increasing social withdrawal/isolation Sudden inexplicable lightening of mood Previous history of attempts Suicide by a family member or friend Readily available means of committing suicide History of substance abuse or eating disorders Serious medical problems

Models of Human Nature and Therapeutic Change (1) Biological Pharmacological therapy Behavioral Stimulus, response, and reinforcement Practice exposure Cognitive Ideas, attitudes, behaviors and feelings Psychodynamic Thoughts

Getting Help Self help Peer counseling and support groups Books Writing a journal Religious practice Social groups Peer counseling and support groups Professional help Determine the need