Psychological Problems

characteristics of mental health

• pos. engagement with society

• effectively copes with challenges

• not being overcome by difficult feelings

• having good relationships with others

• being able to deal with disappointments and problems

• being able to cope with stresses and demands of everyday life

• being able to make decisions

what systems are used to diagnose?

ICD-10 and DSM 5

potential reasons for increase in significant mental health conditions:

1. increased challenges of modern living

2. increased recognition of the nature of mental health problems

3. lessening of the social stigma

individual effects

damage to relationships, difficulties coping with day to day life, negative impact on physical wellbeing

social effects

need for more social care, increased crime rates, implications on the economy

characteristics of clinical depression (unipolar)

low mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, lethargy, changes in appetite, changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia), fdecrease in self confidence which may lead to self loathing, reduced concentration or attention, ideas of self harm or suicide ideas of guilt or unworthiness, and a pessimistic view of the future .

how does the ICD-10 classify depression?

those symptoms being present all or most of the time for longer than 2 weeks.

what is the difference between unipolar and bipolar depression?

people with uni only experience one emotional state whereas people with bipolar experience changes between two mood states (depression and mania)

mania

a state of euphoria of frenzied activity in which people may have an exaggerated belief that the world is theirs for the taking.

bio explanation for depression

Individuals with low serotonin are more likely to suffer from depression. Serotonin travels from the presynaptic neuron, across the synapse to the post-synaptic neuron to transmit a message. When serotonin levels are low, then the levels in the synapse are low and the message is not transmitted, leading to a low mood. Serotonin can also affect an individual’s memory, sleep and appetite.  

(depression is caused by low serotonin)io exb

bio explanation ao3

• :) . McNeal and Symbolic conducted research into the serotonin levels if depressed individuals compared to normal and found lower levels in depressed patients compared to normal.

• :( . much of the research into the bio approach is based on correlations and correlations only show a link between serotonin and depression, not causation

• :( . reductionist

• :( . alternate explanation is the cognitive approach (negative schemas etc)

biological therapy for depression

SSRI’s (antidepressants)