*Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health*

HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY

focuses on how a person's physical health and wellness shape their behaviors and mental processes

Stress

process by which we perceive and respond to events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging.

• increased heart rate

• feelings of tension

Eustress- positive stress this often ends up

motivating an individual to take on a challenge or perform better at a task

Distress- negative stress this often overwhelms an individual resulting in them feeling exhausted

Daily Hassles

these are minor, everyday stressors

• traffic

• misplacing items

• interpersonal conflicts

contributing to chronic stress over time

Major Life Events

these are significant occurrences

• marriage

• divorce

• starting a new job

require substantial adjustment

assessed using Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale.

Catastrophes

large-scale, unpredictable disasters

• earthquakes

• wars

• pandemics

that affect many people simultaneously.

result in intense stress and can lead to long-term psychological effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Adverse Childhood Experiences

potentially traumatic events or chronic stressors occurring in a person's childhood

Cognitive Appraisal Theory

explains how individuals evaluate and respond to stressors based on their personal perceptions

• Richard Lazarus

1. Primary Appraisal- an individual determines whether an event is irrelevant, positive, or a source of stress.

outcome of this appraisal shapes the initial emotional response

• fear

• excitement

• indifference

2. Secondary Appraisal- focuses on evaluating one’s resources and ability to cope with the stressor.

involves considering options, strategies, and support systems to manage the situation.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

looks at how a person's body reacts to stress when confronted with stress for long periods of time

1. Alarm Reaction- body detects a stressor and activates the "fight-or-flight" response.

releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for immediate action. Physiological changes include increased heart rate, heightened alertness, and energy mobilization.

• Fight-Flight-Freeze Response:

Fight- prepares an individual to confront the stressor

Flight- prepares the individual to run away from the stressor

Freeze- when an individual becomes stuck and is unable to act due to the stressor

2. Resistance- body attempts to adapt to the stressor by maintaining a heightened state of alertness and continuing to release stress hormones.

3. Exhaustion- occurring when the body’s resources are depleted after prolonged exposure to a stressor.

Tend-And-Befriend Theory

under stress some individuals are more likely to protect and care for themselves or others or may seek social support from others

Chronic stress

can weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to illnesses, and is linked to conditions

• high blood pressure

• heart disease

Coping Mechanisms

strategies individuals use to manage stress and challenging situations, playing a crucial role in maintaining mental and physical health.

1. Problem-Focused Coping- involves addressing the source of stress directly by finding solutions or taking steps to manage the problem.

• planning

• seeking information

• taking action to resolve the issue

2. Emotion-Focused Coping- focuses on managing the emotional response to stress rather than addressing the problem itself.

• seeking emotional support

• venting feelings

• engaging in relaxation techniques to reduce emotional distress

POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

• Positive Emotions

• Character Strength

• Resilience

• Well-being

uses surveys and assessments

Signature Strengths (Virtues)

• Wisdom

• Courage

• Humanity

• Justice

• Temperance

• Transcendence

Posttraumatic Growth

positive psychological changes that occur as a result of struggling with challenging life events or traumatic events

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

conditions characterized by patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.

• anxiety

• depression

• schizophrenia

Level of Dysfunction

how well or poorly a person can carry out day-to-day activities and complete their daily responsibilities

Perception of Distress

subjective experiences of negative emotions pain or stress related to an individual's behaviors or mental processes

Deviation from Social Norms

behavior is often judged against social and cultural standards if an individual's mental processes or behaviors significantly deviate from what is considered normal for society

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

some individuals internalizing negative stereotypes about their disorder and then limiting themselves or assuming that they are somehow broken

DSM

comprehensive classification of mental disorders listing not only the symptoms and criteria for diagnosis but also providing statistical data on the different disorders as well

• Developed by American Psychiatric Association (APA)

ICD

create a global standard for classifying all health conditions including mental and behavioral disorders

• Developed by World Health Organization

Eclectic Approach

they combine different techniques theories and ideas from the different psychological perspectives

Psychology Perspectives & Disorders

1. Behavioral perspective- which focuses on how mental disorders come from maladaptive learned associations between responses and stimuli

• Maladaptive Learned: association occurs when an individual creates connections between stimuli and responses that are harmful irrational or counterproductive

2. Psychodynamic perspective- highlights how psychological disorders can originate from the unconscious conflicts that often come from a person's childhood experiences

3. Humanistic perspective- which focuses on how psychological disorders develop due to a person lacking social support failing to achieve their potential or having an incongruent self-concept

• Incongruent self-concept: occurs when there is differences between a person's actual self who they believe that they are and their ideal self who they want to be

4. Cognitive perspective- which proposes that mental disorders come from maladaptive thought patterns including distorted beliefs and attitudes

5. Evolutionary perspective- which focuses on how mental disorders that cause abnormal behaviors and tendencies often originate in an individual's genetics

6. Sociocultural factors- including group dynamics cultural norms and interpersonal relationships

7. Biological perspective- which states that psychological disorders are primarily driven by physiological and genetic factors

Biopsychosocial Model

proposes that the development of any psychological issue is influenced by multiple interconnected factors

Diathesis-Stress Model

focuses on how psychological disorders come from the interaction between genetic or biological vulnerabilities and stressful life events

Diathesis- focus is on how genetic predispositions or underlying biological factors impact an individual

Genetic predisposition- increased likelihood of developing a particular trait condition or disorder due to inherited genetic factors

Stress- how an individual's environment can cause significant life challenges

Anxiety Disorders

excessive fear, worry, or nervousness that interfere with daily functioning.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)- persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, or social interactions, often without a specific cause.

2. Phobias- intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities, such as heights, spiders, or flying.

• specific phobias

• social phobia

• agoraphobia

1. Panic Disorder- recurrent and unexpected panic attacks—sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort that can include symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, dizziness, and feelings of choking.

Mood Disorders

mental health conditions that primarily involve disturbances in a person’s emotional state, leading to prolonged periods of intense sadness or elevated mood.

1. Major Depressive Disorder- persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.

2. Bipolar Disorder- extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels, ranging from manic episodes of elevated mood and impulsivity to depressive episodes of intense sadness and lethargy

• bipolar I

• bipolar II

• cyclothymic disorder

Psychotic Disorders

severe mental health conditions that affect an individual’s ability to distinguish between reality and their perceptions, leading to disruptions in thought processes, emotions, and behaviors.

1. Schizophrenia- is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations (false sensory perceptions, like hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs, such as thinking one has special powers or is being persecuted), and disorganized thinking (incoherent or disconnected speech and thoughts).

These disturbances significantly impact an individual’s ability to function in everyday life and can lead to difficulty maintaining relationships, holding a job, or managing personal care.

Eating Disorders

extreme disturbances in eating behaviors, often driven by a preoccupation with body image and weight.

1. Anorexia Nervosa- intense fear of gaining weight, leading to extreme restriction of food intake and an unrealistic perception of body weight.

2. Bulimia Nervosa- episodes of binge eating, where individuals consume large quantities of food in a short period, followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting.

3. Binge-Eating Disorder- recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short time, accompanied by a loss of control over eating.

Somatic Symptom Disorders

individuals experience physical symptoms that are distressing or disruptive to daily life, but these symptoms may not have a clear medical explanation. The symptoms, which can include pain, fatigue, or gastrointestinal problems, are real to the person, but they are often influenced by psychological factors such as stress or anxiety.

Treatment often involves a combination of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and stress management techniques to help address both the physical symptoms and the psychological factors contributing to the disorder.

TREATMENT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

focuses on alleviating symptoms, improving functioning, and promoting overall mental well-being.

psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes are commonly used to address various conditions, including anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders.

Psychotherapy

used to treat psychological disorders by engaging individuals in structured conversations with trained professionals.

It aims to help individuals understand and manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, fostering personal growth and healing.

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- goal-oriented psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to psychological distress.

• anxiety

• depression

• stress

2. Psychoanalysis- therapy that explores unconscious thoughts and early childhood experiences to understand how they shape current behaviors and emotions.

Sigmund Freud

• free association

• dream analysis

• transference.

3. Humanistic Therapy- emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent potential for self-healing in individuals.

client-centered therapy

• unconditional positive regard and active listening.

Carl Rogers

Biomedical Therapies

involves the use of medical treatments, such as medications and physical interventions, to address psychological disorders.

• antidepressants

• antipsychotics

• electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

MIND-BODY CONNECTION

interplay between mental and physical health, highlighting how psychological factors can influence bodily functions and vice versa. Stress, emotions, and mental health conditions can trigger physical responses, such as changes in heart rate or immune function, while physical health issues can impact mood and cognition.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

study of how psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system interact and influence each other.

• chronic stress can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections and other health problems.

DISORDERS RELATED TO PHYSICAL HEALTH

conditions where physical illnesses or health issues are influenced or exacerbated by psychological factors.

• psychosomatic disorders

• certain chronic illnesses

Substance Use and Addiction

chronic consumption of substances such as alcohol, drugs, or nicotine that leads to changes in brain function and behavior.

treatment typically involves a combination of behavioral therapies, which help individuals recognize and change their patterns of substance use, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and, in some cases, medication to manage withdrawal or reduce cravings.

Chronic Illness and Mental Health

are closely interconnected, as conditions like diabetes, cancer, or heart disease can significantly impact an individual’s psychological well-being.

approaches may involve collaboration between healthcare providers, mental health professionals, and support systems to ensure comprehensive care that promotes overall well-being.