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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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