1. Psychological Health
Chapter Three

2. Defining Psychological Health
Psychological Health (Mental Health) is defined positively by the presence of wellness, or negatively as the absence of mental sickness

3. Defining Psychological Health
Psychological Health is not: being normal, conforming to social norms, not having the need to seek help for personal problems, or personal appearance

4. Abraham Maslow’s “Toward a Psychology of Being”
Studied very successful people
He determined a hierarchy of needs
Physiological needs (most urgent)
Safety
Being loved
Maintaining self-esteem
Self-actualization* (least urgent?)

5. Self-Actualization (A Closer Look)
Maslow concluded that visibly successful people achieved self-actualization & that they share the following qualities:
Realism
Acceptance
Self-image
Self-esteem
Autonomy
Authenticity
Intimacy
Creativity

6. ©2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter Three
©2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved.

7. Psychological Disorders

8. Physiological Basis for Psychological Disorders

9. Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Disorders Simple/specific phobia
Fear of something definite
Social phobia
Fear of humiliation or embarrassment while being observed by others

10. Anxiety Disorders Panic disorders Sudden unexpected surges in anxiety
Rapid and strong heart beat
Shortness of breath
Loss of physical equilibrium
Feeling of losing mental control
Can lead to agoraphobia

11. Anxiety Disorders Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Excessive worry about future events
Worries take over rational thought
Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessions = recurrent, unwanted thoughts
Compulsions = repetitive, difficult- to-resist actions
Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD)
Reaction to a severely traumatic event

12. Mood Disorders Depression Most common mood disorder
Affects young and older adults
Takes the form of:
Feeling sad and hopeless
Loss of pleasure
Poor appetite, weight loss
Insomnia
Restlessness
Thoughts of worthlessness
Trouble concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide

13. Warning Signs of Suicide
Expressing the ‘wish’ to be dead
Increasing social withdrawal/isolation
Sudden inexplicable lightening of mood
Previous history of attempts

14. Facts About Suicide Strongest risk factor for suicide is depression
In the U.S. suicide is higher in men
White men over 65 have highest rate
Women attempt 3X as many suicides as men, men succeed at more than 3X rate of women

15. Treating Depression Depends on severity and persons risk of suicide
Antidepressants
Prescribed for Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, etc.
Prozac, paxil
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Last resort for severe depression
Mild seizure is produced
3-4 treatments/wk. for ~ 4 wks.

16. Mood Disorders Mania and Bipolar Disorder
Restlessness
Having abundant energy
Requiring little sleep
Talking nonstop
Many manics swing between mania and depressive states = bipolar disorder

17. Psychological Disorders
Schizophrenia
General characteristics
Disorganized thoughts
Inappropriate emotions
Delusions
Auditory hallucinations
Deteriorating social and work function
Uncertain causes

18. Models of Human Nature and Therapeutic Change
Four Perspectives can be applied to psychological disorders each with a distinct view of human nature

19. Models of Human Nature and Therapeutic Change
Biological
Emphasis is on the influence of the brain
Therapy = Pharmacological
Behavioral
Emphasis on behavior/actions
Behaviorists analyze behavior in terms of stimulus, response and reinforcement
Therapy = exposure

20. Models of Human Nature and Therapeutic Change
3. Cognitive
Emphasis on effect of ideas on behaviors and feelings
This model states that behavior results from attitudes and expectations rather than reinforcements
Therapy tries to expose and identify false ideas that produce anxiety and depression

21. Models of Human Nature and Therapeutic Change
4. Psychodynamic
Emphasizes thoughts
Thoughts are fed by unconscious ideas and impulses
In psychodynamic therapy patients speak freely, trying to find basis of their feelings