MENTAL HEALTH & STRESS Mental Health CHAPTER 5 & 6 Defining Mental Health Absence of mental disorders A level of functioning that allows: Productive activities relationships capacity to enjoy life Good Mental Health Good mental health includes the ability to: engage in productive activities have fulfilling relationships with other people adapt to change cope with adversity balance life responsibilities maintain self-care feel self-confident Poor Mental Health Poor mental health is characterized by abnormalities in cognition, emotion, and mood. There is cause for concern when a persons mental state causes ongoing impairment. Impact of Poor Mental Health About 1 in 4 adults in the United States suffers from a mental disorder. About 1 in 5 children under 18 suffers from a mental disorder. Poor mental health is the leading cause of disability for people aged 15 to 44. Young Adults and Mental Health Stressful transitions Alcohol Stressful Transitions One in 4 people will have a depressive episode by age 24. Half of college students report that at some time they were so depressed they had difficulty functioning. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. Alcohol and Young Adults Alcohol can mask underlying mental illness. Prevalence of binge and heavy drinking peaks at age 21. Half of college students report binge drinking. Suicide Facts! 8 out 10 people who commit suicide have given definite clues about their intentions Cry for help 70% who threaten suicide will do it! If help is given early it can be prevented. Those who attempt it need follow up and treatment. 80% of those who succeed have made a previous attempt! Over half of students who commit suicide are intoxicated and may have substance abuse problems Depressed individuals need early counseling about the possibility of suicideQuestion, Persuade, Refer! Anorexia Nervosa Body weight at least 15% below the lowest value expected for height Energy intake extremely low Intense obsession with food and portions Distorted self-body image perception Intense fear of weight gain Osteoporosis, menstrual irregularities, electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrhythmias, and sarcopenia Mostly found in white females high school or college age yrs old Deadly! Question, Persuade, Refer! Bulimia Nervosa Could be any body weight Binging on large amounts of food over a small period of time 2x/week over several months Purging behaviors Vomiting Laxative abuse Sauna suits Diuretics Most common in white females high school and college, 25-40yrs old Complications include gastrointestinal disturbances, wearing away of teeth enamel, pancreatitis, electrolyte imbalances, and esophageal rupture Question, Persuade, Refer! Recognizing Signs of Potential Violence in Others They lose their temper frequently. They get in fights. They vandalize property. They use illegal substances more than usual. They take more risks. They carry a weapon. They injure animals. They make threats. What Determines Mental Health: Nature and Nurture Brain Neurotransmitter functioning Genetics Impact of environment on genes Environment Family Socioeconomic status Neighborhood Religion Culture Social groups Diagnosing Mental Illness Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM) Guides diagnosis and treatment of disorders. First published in Four major revisions since first release. DSM contains five axes: Axis I: Clinical disorders Anxiety disorders Eating disorders Mood disorders Psychotic disorders Impulse disorders Substance use disorders Axis II: Developmental disorders and personality disorders Childhood disorders Mental retardation Borderline personality disorder Narcissistic personality disorder Paranoid personality disorder AxisIII: General medical conditions illness Axis IV: Psychosocial or environmental factors Relationships Employment Starting school Illness of family member Axis V: Global assessment functioning Scale to measure persons ability for self-care and daily task completion Treatment Modalities Individual therapy Family therapy Group therapy Support groups Self-help Online options Getting Help for Yourself and Others Finding help for yourself Seek professional services, medical treatment, or support. Mental health problems arent a sign of weakness. Helping friends Talk, dont lecture. Recognize warning signs of suicide: threats of killing oneself, giving away prized possessions or saying goodbye, or saying theres no hope. Three Core Activities for Prevention of Mental Illness Prevention Treatment Maintenance Mental Health Professionals Psychiatrist Psychologist Licensed clinical social worker Marriage and family therapist Mental health technician or aide Substance abuse counselor STRESS MANAGEMENT Stress Management Chapter 6 What is Stress? 1. Which of the following events can cause Stress? A.Taking out a loan B.Failing a test C.Graduating from college D.Watching a football game 2. High levels of stress can impair memory and cause physical changes in the brain. True or false? Stress Defined Hans Selye defined stress as the nonspecific response of the body to any demand for change. Cannon discovered the fight-or-flight response. Selye expanded the theory to include general adaptation syndrome (GAS): Alarm reaction Resistance or adaptation Exhaustion General Adaptation Syndrome Stress Versus Stressor Stress is a persons reaction to a situation or event. A stressor is a situation causing stress. The stress response is physiological change associated with stress. Stress and the Stress Process Stress process: fight or flight (or freeze!) Physiology of Stress Types of Stress Stress can be the result of negative stressors (distress) or positive stressors (eustress). There are four types of stress: Acute stress Episodic acute stress Chronic stress Traumatic stress Types of Stressors Almost anything can be a stressor. There are five major categories of stress: Work stress School stress Family stress Financial stress Life changes Work Stress Many people view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives. Workload and pressure are strongly associated with stress level at work. A mismatch between job requirements and employee capabilities can cause stress. Stress leads to burnout and risk of developing adverse health effects. Workplace stress has increased. Model of Job Stress School Stress A research study showed that college students cope with stress by increasing alcohol consumption. High school students experience stress as a result of lack of school materials, overcrowding, and poor curriculum. School stress is increasing as pressure from teachers, parents, and school boards increases. Family Stress Mothers feel more stress than fathers. Common stressors in the family include chores, financial issues, education, living arrangements, and decisions about caring for ill family members. Financial Stress A 2006 survey found that money was the top source of stress for adults (APA 2007). Financial stress is one of the main reasons that married couples fight and divorce. Unhealthy effects or coping strategies include drinking, smoking, insomnia, hostility, and anxiety. Major Life Changes Dealing with change is difficult. Major life change can be positive (marriage, graduation) or negative (becoming ill, losing a job). Major life changes are associated with hypertension and heart disease. How Stress Affects Body Systems Cardiovascular: cardiovascular disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis Nervous system: impaired ability to perform essential tasks Digestive system: ulcers, irritable bowel movements, gastroesophageal reflux disease, intestinal barrier function, inflammatory bowel disease Immune system: autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency disorders, allergies, cancers Stress and Disease Managing it! Negative Coping Techniques Tobacco use Alcohol consumption Binge eating Effective Stress Management Techniques Meditation Deep breathing Muscle relaxation Nutrition Exercise Social support Communication Sleep Time management Biofeedback