Psychological Problems Flashcards

Flashcards about Psychological Problems, Mental Health, Depression and Addiction

Incidence of mental health

The frequency of mental health problems within the population.

Challenges of modern living

Economic deprivation & social isolation can increase incidence rates over time.

Cultural variations in beliefs

Mental health is viewed differently around the world so is considered to be influenced by cultural norms and practices, as what might be normal in one culture might be abnormal in another (e.g. hearing voices)

Increased awareness of mental health problems

Classification systems such as the ICD & DSM have increased the awareness & accuracy of diagnoses with medical professionals & mental health campaigns and the increased access to talking therapies have increased awareness in the general public

Lessening the social stigma

People may experience prejudice/difficulties when opening up about mental health problems, but positive role models in society are opening up about their mental health problems, which makes it less taboo

Characteristics of mental health

Positive engagement with society, accurate perception of reality, coping with challenges, maintaining relationships, being able to look after yourself

Damage to relationships

A mental health problem can affect communication which can impact relationships with those around you. This can affect the family as well as the individual, it can be very stressful living with someone with mental health problems and sometimes the care system can become involved.

Coping with everyday life

Getting up and dressed, missing work and school can lead to poor academic achievement and unemployment

Increased crime rates

People with certain mental health problems may be more prone to crime because of an inaccurate perception of reality and the consequences of their behaviour, or because they need to fund an addiction, but this is very much a correlation not causation

Implications for the economy

Mental health is an expensive area with regards to funding health care, social care, social housing, benefit payments, and policing, which comes from people's taxes

Sadness

A common emotional reaction which involves feeling sorrow in response to an unpleasant, hurtful or unhappy experience or memory

Depression

An abnormal emotional state characterised by a deep sadness that may not have a clear cause & may stop someone from being able to function

Unipolar Depression

Feeling continually sad

Bipolar Depression

Alternating between depression and mania

Key symptoms of depression

Low mood, loss of interest & pleasure, and reduced energy levels

The Biological Approach: Imbalance of Serotonin

Depression is caused by lower levels of serotonin, which is a mood regulating neurotransmitter

SSRIs

Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, making more serotonin available the next time the neuron fires

The Psychological Approach - Irrational Thinking

Depression caused by faulty/irrational thinking, specifically negative self-schemas & negative attributional styles-this has been linked to learned helplessness

CBT

Challenges irrational thoughts in order to change the patient's emotions & behaviour - includes homework

AMRC-Wiles et al.

Participants who were classed as having treatment resistant depression either just had medication or medication + CBT. Those with medication + CBT showed the greatest improvement in depression scores (46% improved by more than 50% vs. only 22% in the control). DV was their scores on the Beck Depression Inventory.

Addiction

When an individual's repeated behaviour/substance use results in them becoming entirely focused on that behaviour/substance

Dependence

When the brain/body becomes used to functioning whilst the behaviour/substance is present, and the person experiences withdrawal symptoms and a loss of functioning when they are without the behaviour/substance

Substance Misuse

Using a substance in the way that it wasn't intended

Substance Abuse

Using a substance in a way that is harmful in order to modify their mood

Symptoms of Addiction

Strong desire, persisting despite harm, difficulty controlling use, higher priority, withdrawal, tolerance

The Biological Approach-Genetic Vulnerability

People may inherit a genetic vulnerability from their parents, but does not mean they have a 100% chance of developing the addiction

AMRC-Kaij's Twin study

Male twins from Sweden studied. Identical and non-identical twins compared based on registration to a substance abuse board-higher concordance rate between identical than non-identical twins-not 100%, though.

The Psychological Approach-Peer Influence

Social Learning Theory: more likely to imitate behaviours of role models they identify with that show addictive behaviours because they want to be like them, which then becomes an addiction if repeated enough

Aversion therapy

Uses classical conditioning to associate the substance with something negative, which reduces motivation

Self-management programmes

Do not need a specialist leader-work through steps and manage own treatment-12 steps. Focuses on the whole person not just the addiction