Definitions in the feild of mental health (1)

Deviation from ideal Mental health (1)

Defining what mental health is allows us to look for signs of deviation from ideal mental health.

 

One way to look at mental health is to think about what makes someone psychologically healthy.

Then identify anyone who deviates from this ideal.

Marie Jahoda (1)

Suggested that we are in good mental health if we meet the following criteria:

1. We have no symptoms or distress

2. We are rational and can perceive ourselves accurately

3. We self actualise (strive to reach our potential)

4. We can cope with stress

5. We have a realistic view of the world

6. We have good self- esteem and lack of guilt

7. We are independent of other people

We can successfully work, love and enjoy our leisure

Marie Jahoda (2)

Inevitably there is some overlap between ‘deviation from ideal mental health and all the other definitions.

 

The main feature of this definition is that it is positive because it focuses on ideal mental health.

A03 - the criteria is comprehensive

Ideal mental health covers most of the reasons why we might need help with mental health.

 

Mental health can be meaningfully discussed with may professional such as psychiatrists or CBT therapist.

Ideal mental health provides a checklist against which we can assess ourselves and others and discuss psychological issues with a range of professionals

A03 - criteria is extremely high standards

Very few of us attain all of Jahoda’s criteria for ideal mental health, and probably none of us achieve all of them at the same time of keep them up for very long.

On the other hand these criteria for mental health might be of value to someone wanting to improve their mental health

It can be disheartening to see an impossible set of standards to live up to, but for others it can be a set of comprehensive criteria that may be helpful for some.

Variation in cultural norms (1)

Defines abnormality as behaviour violating unspoken rules or societal standards of conduct, behaviour is considered acceptable based on social context.

Behaviours deemed abnormal in one culture may be normal in another.

Example = homosexuality was once classified as a mental health condition, which contributed to the native treatment of the LGBT+ community.

• This view has been widely discredited but persists in some cultures where homosexuality remains illegal

In 2023 homosexuality is punishable by death in 7 countries

Antisocial behaviour (ASPD) (1)

One important symptom of antisocial personality disorder (formerly called psychopathy) failure to conform to lawful and ethical behaviour

 

A person is impulsive aggressive and irresponsible.

 

In other words we are making the social judgment that people with ASPD are considered to have a mental health condition because they don’t conform to our moral standards.

Their behaviour would be considered undesirable in a very wide range of cultures

A03 - real life application (used in clinical practice)

Deviation from social/cultural norms is useful in the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder because this requires the failure to conform to ethical standards.

 

Deviation from social/cultural norms is also helpful in diagnosing schizotypal personality disorder which involves ‘odd’ or ‘eccentric’ beliefs and behaviour.

This means that deviation from social/cultural norms is useful in psychiatric diagnosis.

A03 - love of the familiar limits our freedom

Chappel and Jeppsson suggest that people are reassured by ‘typical behaviour’ and disturbed by deviations from it. Social and cultural norms allow people to impose a narrow range of acceptable behaviours on others.

 

It is problematic if clinicians impose their own cultural/social norms on clients because of their own love for the familiar and fear of weirdness.

 

The clinician is disregarding that persons own judgment of their well-being and imposing other peoples standards on their client.

This means that the concept of deviation from social/cultural norms as a criterion for judging mental health may limit personal freedoms.