Health Science: Chapter 2

Psychological Health

Sums up how we think, feel, relate, and exist in our day-to-day lives, encompassing mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.

Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual

A manual used in the field of psychology that provides information about characteristics of psychological health, good psychological functioning, and helps with diagnosing different disorders.

Characteristics of Psychologically Healthy People

Feel good about themselves, make and maintain lasting healthy relationships, have a strong sense of autonomy, a mastery over their environment, a high sense of personal growth, a sense of purpose, value diversity, are nonjudgmental, and maintain a positive outlook.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A theory developed by Abraham Maslow defining what must be achieved in order for one's psychological health, starting with survival needs at the bottom of the pyramid and progressing to security, social, esteem, and self-actualization.

Mental Health

Describes the thinking or rational dimensions of our health; a mentally healthy person perceives life realistically, adapts to change, develops rational problem-solving strategies, and carries out responsibilities.

Intellectual Health

A subset of mental health, referring to the intellectual ability to learn and use information effectively and to strive for continued growth.

Emotional Health

Refers to the feeling or subjective sides of our psychological health, involving complex patterns of feelings (emotions) like love, hate, frustration, anxiety, and joy.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to identify, use, understand, and manage one's emotions in a positive and constructive manner, consisting of self-awareness, self-management, relationship management, and social awareness.

Social Health

The part of our health that examines our ability to interact with people, use social resources, and adapt to a variety of social situations.

Social Bonds

Reflects the level of closeness and attachment we develop with individuals.

Social Support

Refers to the network of people and services with whom we interact and share social connections, which can be tangible (e.g., compensation for service, money) or intangible (e.g., encouragement, shared concerns).

Spiritual Health

An individual's sense of purpose and meaning in life, involving a sense of peace and connection to other people, understanding that one belongs to something greater and bigger than their physical or personal dimension of existence.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

The scientific study of the interactions of the behavioral, neural, and endocrine functions and the functioning of the body's immune system.

Positive Psychology

The scientific study of human strength and virtues, focusing on concepts like happiness, hopefulness, optimism, and contentment.

PERMA

An acronym standing for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment; elements found by Martin Seligman to help with flourishing.

Mental Illnesses

Disorders that disrupt thinking, feeling, moods, and behaviors, causing impaired functioning in daily living.

Ripple Effect of Mental Illnesses

Illustrates how mental illnesses impact an individual's life and then ripple out to affect their family, community, and the world.

Mood Disorders

Mental conditions that affect how one feels, such as persistent sadness or feelings of euphoria.

Major (Clinical) Depression

A severe depression entailing a chronic mood disorder with psychological (e.g., inability to concentrate) and physical (e.g., sleep disturbance, exhaustion) effects.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (formerly Dysthymic Disorder)

A less severe form of chronic mild depression causing people to lose interest in normal daily activities, low self-esteem, hopelessness, and difficulties with productivity for years.

Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)

Characterized by alternating periods of extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs in the winter months due to less exposure to sunlight, leading to extreme fatigue, irritability, apathy, carbohydrate cravings, and weight gain.

Anxiety Disorders

Mental illnesses characterized by persistent feelings of threat and worry when coping with everyday problems.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Characterized by being a consummate worrier, developing a debilitating level of anxiety, and exhibiting symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbances for more days than not over six months.

Panic Attack

An acute anxiety reaction that brings on an intense physical reaction.

Phobic Disorders (Phobias)

Involve a persistent and irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Results in people feeling compelled to perform rituals over and over, having fear of dirt or contamination, an unnatural concern about order, or persistent intrusive thoughts.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Occurs in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, serious accident, combat, or sexual assault.

Personality Disorders

Characterized by inflexible patterns of thoughts and behaviors that lead to socially distressing behaviors.

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Involves pervasive, unfounded suspicion and mistrust of other people, irrational jealousy, and secretiveness.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Characterized by an exaggerated sense of self-importance and self-absorption.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A long-term pattern of manipulation, exploitation, and taking advantage of other people, often in a critical manner.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Characterized by impulsiveness and risky behaviors such as gambling sprees, engaging in unsafe sex, drug use, or daredevil driving.

Schizophrenia

A mental health condition with biological origins, characterized by alteration of senses, difficulty sorting incoming stimuli, an altered sense of self, radical changes in emotions, movements, and behaviors, and hallucinations.

Suicide Warning Signs

Include recent loss, history of depression, changes in personality/behavior (e.g., sadness, withdrawal, irritability, inability to concentrate, loss of interest), direct/indirect statements about death, suicidal ideation, making preparations (giving away belongings, writing a will), preoccupation with death themes, and changes in personal appearance.

Stigma (Mental Health)

Negative perceptions about a group of people or certain situations or conditions, often leading to shame, guilt, low self-esteem, hopelessness, and isolation for those with mental health conditions.

Psychodynamic Therapy

A treatment model that focuses on the psychological root of emotional suffering.

Interpersonal Therapy

A treatment model that focuses on social roles and relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A treatment model that focuses on the impact of thoughts and ideas on feelings.

Behavioral Therapy

A treatment model that focuses on what we do, using concepts of stimulus response and reinforcement to alter one's behavior patterns.

Psychotropic Drugs

Medications used in pharmacological treatments for mental health conditions, often with side effects like dry mouth, headache, nausea, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain, which vary by potency and dosage.