Psychological Health A Brief Overview

Positive Psychological Traits  Self-actualization- fulfilling human potential to the fullest  Realism- ability to accept what can and cannot be changed  Self-esteem- satisfaction and confidence in self  Authenticity- being genuine  Capacity for Intimacy- ability to share and express feelings with others

Psychological Challenges  Achieving Healthy Self-Esteem  Being Less Defensive  Avoiding Cognitive Distortion  Being Optimistic  Dealing with Loneliness  Dealing with Anger

Mental Illness Facts  Mental illness are biologically based brain disorders.  Mental illnesses are not related to a person’s character or intelligence.  About one in 17 Americans have some form of serious mental illness  Mental illness affects 1 in 5 families  The cost of untreated mental illnesses in the US is more than $100 billion a year!

Psychological Disorders (Anxiety Related)  Anxiety – a feeling of fear that is not directed toward any definite threat  Simple or Specific Phobia – a persistent fear of a specific thing, activity, or situation  Social Phobia – fear of humiliation or embarrassment in front of others  Panic Disorder – a syndrome of severe anxiety attacks accompanied by physical symptoms  Generalized Anxiety Disorder – characterized by excessive worry about all kinds of things

Psychological Disorders, (Anxiety) con’t.  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder – uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and performing of senseless rituals  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – reliving traumatic events through dreams, flashbacks, and hallucinations

Mood Disorders  Seasonal affective disorder – characterized by seasonal depression  Mania – excessive elation, irritability, talkativeness, inflated self-esteem  Bipolar – a mental illness characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania  Schizophrenia – a mental illness involving a disturbance in thinking and in perceiving reality

Depression  Depression is the most common psychological disorder and the leading cause of suicide  One in three students experience prolonged periods of depression  One in four have suicidal thoughts  Over a lifetime, about 20% of females and 12% of males experience serious depression

Warning Signs of Serious Depression  Finding little or no pleasure in life  Feeling worthless or extremely guilty  Crying a lot for no particular reason  Withdrawing from other people  Having very low energy or too much energy  Having trouble concentrating  Feeling easily irritated or angry Source: The Jed Foundation

Treatment for Depression  Critical to recognize and seek professional help first and foremost  Drug therapy – (Prozac – most common drug approved for use with children and teens)  Cognitive-behavior therapy  Most effective treatment combines both!!!

Leading Causes of Death Among Year Olds  1 st :Accidental Death – primarily motor vehicle accidents  2 nd :Homicide – primarily involving firearms  3 rd :Suicide – primary means involves firearms

Suicide Scary Stats  Suicide is actually the second leading cause of death among college students.  Suicide attempts pose the greatest life- threatening danger for college women.  The rate of suicide among young males has tripled since  There are almost 1,100 suicides projected to occur on campuses this year.  Among college students, 7.5 of every 100,000 students take their own lives.

Scary Stats, con’t.  Four out of five young adults who attempt suicide have given clear warnings.  One in 12 US college students makes a suicide plan.  Every hour and 45 minutes another young person commits suicide.

Suicide Alert List P – Previous Attempts P – PlanA – Alone L – LethalityL – Loss A – AvailabilityS – Substance I – Illness Abuse D - Depression

More Suicide Facts  More females than males attempt suicide but more males are successful.  Most people who have committed suicide have talked about it to someone!  Talking with someone about suicide does not cause suicide!  Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem!

Resources and Help  UWG offers FREE counseling and psychological services through the Student Development/Counseling Center  x.php x.php x.php  National hotline: SUICIDE  Depression-screening:  Freedom from fear:

Website Resources, con’t.  No Stigma:  The Jed Foundation:  National Mental Health Assoc.:  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: