Unit 3: Health Psychology

Learning objectives You will be able to: Define – health psychology and the following terms: substance misuse, synapse, tolerance, physical dependence, psychological dependence, withdrawal (AC 1, a & b) Identify the most commonly misused illegal drugs in terms of appearance, category and effects (AC 3c)

Key definitions ... Health psychology Substance misuse Synapse Tolerance Physical dependence Psychological dependence Withdrawal

Health Psychology ... Focuses on the interaction of mind and body in relation to health behaviours; the biological, cognitive and social approaches are the focus of studies in this area It looks at how a person's biology, emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and social interactions influence his or her physical well being and why people behave in an unhealthy manner (e.g. drug taking) It also is concerned with the promotion of good health

4 broad areas of health psychology Health promotion and maintenance: ‘anti-drug campaign’ Effects of drugs In detail: HEROIN ALCOHOL Role of Biological, and social factors in substance misuse Ways of treating substance misuse

Health Psychology… Typical questions addressed by health psychology research are: How do people adapt to chronic illness? What factors influence healthy eating? How is stress linked to heart disease? Why do patients often not take their medication as prescribed?

The role of a Health Psychologist… Use of psychological theory to understand people’s health behaviours Health risk behaviours – use of interventions based on psychological theory Health enhancing behaviours – use of psychological theory to encourage and promote these Health care delivery – communication between HC professionals and patients Psychological aspects of illness – impact on patients, families and carers; interventions based on psychological theory to promote self-management and facilitate coping strategies

So why health psychology...?

Biomedical model of health/illness Mind-body dualism Focus on proximal causes (e.g. viruses) - individuals as ‘victims’ of illness Treatments which address the body’s physical state Medical profession responsible for treatment Illnesses may have psychological consequences, but not psychological causes Reductionist?

The Biopsychosocial model of health and illness

The Biopsychosocial model of health and illness Mind and body are connected Illness is caused by a number of factors – responsibility of the individual (behavioural factors) Treatment of the whole person – holistic approach Psychological and social factors as contributory in illness

Key definitions ... Substance misuse – the use of a drug/substance to the extent that an individual’s physical and mental health are affected and where the use interferes with an individual's social situation and responsibilities Synapse – a small gap separating neurons; information from one neuron flows to another neuron across a synapse Tolerance - when an individual no longer responds to the drug in the way they initially responded; it takes a higher dose of the drug to achieve the same level of response achieved initially

Key definitions ... Physical dependence – where the body naturally adapts to chronic exposure to a substance, and when that substance is taken away, symptoms can emerge while the body readjusts to the loss Psychological dependence – dependence on a psychoactive substance for the reinforcement it provides Withdrawal - feelings of discomfort, distress, and intense craving for a substance that occur when use of the substance is stopped

The term 'drug' means any substance that is 'psychoactive', which means 'mind-altering'. There are three types of drugs. (eg. alcohol, tobacco, Solvants, painkillers) Usually bought over the counter, in shops, supermarkets, or from chemists. Legal drugs Illegal drugs (eg. cannabis, Ecstasy, Cocaine) They are controlled drugs. They are often the type that lead to addiction or have dangerous side effects. Some times referred to as recreational drugs, as people take them for fun. Medicinal drugs. (eg. Steriods, tranquilizers, methadone)

ASSESS THE HARMS AND RISKS TO DRUG TAKING Drug use/misuse Drug use is drug taking through which harm may occur, although such harm may not be immediately noticeable. Treatment is through education, advice, prevention work. Drug misuse is when drug taking harms health or a persons ability to function. Someone who misuses drugs may be dependent on the drug. To treat the person would require medical help. Any use of drugs can cause harm or even death. ASSESS THE HARMS AND RISKS TO DRUG TAKING

RECALL the role of the neuron Make a mad neuron http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/

RECALL ROLE OF NEUROTRANSMITTER Impulse Presynaptic neuron Vesicle Transmitters Synaptic cleft Postsynaptic neuron Receptors Postsynaptic activity

Synapses Main Idea(s) of This Slide - This slide depicts the synapses between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another. Here is a close-up view of the synapse between two adjacent neurons. The axon of the neuron at the top of the slide terminates in what is called an axon bulb. Inside the axon bulb are synaptic vesicles that contain neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters are responsible for exiting the axon bulb and entering into the synapse. Once inside the synapse (space between the neurons), the neurohormones bind to the adjacent neurons “postsynaptic membrane” and cause a new depolarization wave to begin. This image on the right depicts the neurotransmitter (neurohormone) being released from the synaptic vesicle into the synapse where it can then bind to receptors on the adjacent neuron. Neurotransmitter being released into synapse and attaching to receptors on dendrite Based on Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide

50 known neurotransmitters DOPAMINE NORADRENALIN SEROTONIN ENDORPHINS ACHT GABA

overdose due to cardiac arrest Stimulants … Stimulants increase the neural activity of the central nervous system to produce increases in breathing, heart-rate and blood pressure. Risks might include: overdose due to cardiac arrest paranoia irritability anxiousness depression eating disorders aggression NAME 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF DRUGS

Depressants … Depressant drugs suppress the neural activity of the Central Nervous System and in turn decrease breathing, heart-rate and blood pressure. Risks might include: overdose due to respiratory depression long-term damage to the liver, heart, stomach and brain loss of control and aggression nausea, vomiting and choking

uncontrollable behaviour Hallucinogens … Hallucinogenic drugs act on the brain to alter the perception of what is real. They modify perceptions of thoughts, sounds and images that flood our brains on a daily basis Risks might include: involuntary actions uncontrollable behaviour flashbacks nausea stomach cramps sickness

The stages of substance misuse Beliefs Seriousness Costs and benefits Expectancies Clinical Interventions Nicotine replacement Aversion therapy Self management INITIATION MAINTENANCE STOPPING RELAPSE Self Help Interventions GP advice Community initiatives Policies and legislation Social Factors Parents’ behaviour Parents beliefs and values Peer group pressure Prevention Coping Expectancies attributions Source: Bailey et al A2 psychology, pg 423