CHAPTER 3 NOTES

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

• 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.

• 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

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.

• 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Other mental disorders:• ADHD – attention deficit/hyperactivity disorderInattentive 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