Mental Health and Stress Study Guide

Overview of Stress and Mental Health

  • Stress: Body’s response to challenging demands, can be both positive (Eustress) and negative

    • Eustress: Positive form of stress that can motivate individuals

    • Distress: Negative stress that can lead to physical and psychological problems

Physical Effects of Stress

  • Nervous System's Role: Controls the fight or flight response during stress

  • Hormones Involved:

    • Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone; increases glucose in the bloodstream

    • Adrenaline: Increases heart rate and energy supply

  • Immune System Impact:

    • Chronic stress can reduce immune function, making individuals more susceptible to illness

    • Key cells affected: Macrophages (engulf pathogens) and Lymphocytes (involved in immune response)

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

  • A model explaining the body's response to stress in three stages:

    1. Alarm: Initial reaction to stress activating fight or flight response

    2. Resistance: Body attempts to cope with the stress; resources become depleted

    3. Exhaustion: Prolonged stress leads to burnout and health issues

Coping Mechanisms for Stress

  • Strategies to manage stress include:

    • Problem-solving: Addressing the source of stress directly

    • Emotional support: Seeking help from friends and family

    • Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Such as meditation and deep breathing

Personality Types

  • Type A Personality: Competitive, high-stressing, time-urgent

  • Type B Personality: Relaxed, less stressed, more flexible

Positive Psychology and Health Psychology

  • Positive Psychology: Focuses on strengths and factors that contribute to a fulfilling life

  • Health Psychology: Studies psychological factors in health and illness

Post Traumatic Growth

  • Positive psychological change experienced as a result of adversity, trauma, or struggle

The Biopsychosocial Theory

  • Integrative model that considers biological, psychological, and social factors in health and illness

Diathesis-Stress Model

  • Suggests that psychological disorders develop from a combination of pre-existing vulnerability and stress

Rosenhan Study Lessons

  • Explores the validity of psychiatric diagnoses and challenges the reliability of mental health labeling

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)

  • Used by clinicians for diagnosing various mental disorders, provides standard criteria

Stigma and Its Impacts

  • Stigma: Negative stereotype that affects self-esteem and affects access to mental health care

Main Symptoms of Disorders

  • ADHD: Difficulty maintaining attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Persistent and excessive worry about different aspects of life

  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of social situations

  • OCD: Recurrent, unwanted thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors

  • PTSD: Severe anxiety following a traumatic event

  • Simple Phobia: Extreme fear of a specific object or situation

  • Depression (MDD): Persistently low mood, loss of interest, fatigue

  • Dysthymia: Chronic low mood lasting at least two years

  • Bipolar Disorder: Extreme mood swings between highs (mania) and lows (depression)

Perspectives on Depression

  • Biological Perspective:

    • Focus on genetic predispositions and neurochemical factors, treatments include SSRIs

  • Learning/Behavioral Perspective:

    • Emphasizes learned behaviors and reinforcement; treatments include CBT

  • Psychoanalytic Perspective:

    • Centers on unconscious conflicts and trauma; utilizes talk therapy for resolution

  • Humanistic Perspective:

    • Stresses self-actualization and personal growth, encouraging self-acceptance

  • Social-Cultural Perspective:

    • Examines the influence of societal norms, cultural factors, and social support systems