Week3 - Fri

Week 3: Psychological Health

• Course: PH90 Contemporary Health Issues

• Instructor: Dr. Qiwei Li

• Institution: California State University, Fresno

PHQ-9 Questionnaire

• A tool used to assess mental health, specifically focusing on depression levels.

Depression Severity Scale

• 1-4: Minimal depression

• 5-9: Mild depression

• 10-14: Moderate depression

• 15-19: Moderately severe depression

• 20-27: Severe depression

Importance of Psychological Health

• Psycho-physical Relationship:

  • Psychological health is linked to physiological health, with each impacting the other.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

• An interdisciplinary field studying the connections between:

  • Behavior

  • Neural activity

  • Endocrine functions

  • Immune system functions

• Involves various disciplines: psychology, neuroscience, genetics, pharmacology, etc.

Personality Traits Affecting Psychological Health

• Key traits:

  • Agreeableness

  • Openness

  • Neuroticism

  • Conscientiousness

  • Extraversion

Common Health Issues Among College Students

• Prevalent issues:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Stress

  • Sleep disturbances

Mood Disorders

• Definition: Chronic mood disorders affect emotional state, leading to persistent sadness or euphoria.

• Types of Major Mood Disorders:

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Characteristics:

  • Severe, chronic depression with both physical and mental effects.

• Statistics:

  • Affects 7% of the US population, 11% among ages 18-25, and frequently more females than males.

Symptoms of MDD

• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities

• Preoccupation with failures or others' perceptions

• Difficulty in concentration and memory

• Changes in libido

• Fatigue, insomnia, or oversleeping

• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

• Significant weight changes

• Suicidal thoughts or feelings

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

• A milder, chronic form of depression lasting over two years.

• Characteristics compared to MDD in terms of severity and time.

Bipolar Disorder

• Features alternating periods of mania and depression.

• Also referred to as manic depression.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression related to seasonal changes, particularly in winter due to low sunlight.

Causes of Mood Disorders

• Factors include:

  • Biological differences

  • Hormonal changes

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Life events and childhood trauma

  • Significant losses and traumatic experiences.

Anxiety Disorders

• Definition: Characterized by persistent feelings of worry and threat.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

• Panic Disorders:

  • Involves intense panic attacks with severe physical symptoms.

• Phobic Disorders:

  • Involves irrational fear of specific situations or objects.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

  • Compulsion to perform repetitive rituals.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

  • Triggered by traumatic events, such as natural disasters or combat experiences.

Schizophrenia

• Affects about 1% of the U.S. population.

Week 3: Psychological Health

Course: PH90 Contemporary Health Issues

Instructor: Dr. Qiwei LiInstitution: California State University, Fresno

PHQ-9 Questionnaire

A widely recognized tool used to assess mental health, specifically focusing on depression levels. It consists of nine questions that evaluate the frequency of different depressive symptoms experienced over the previous two weeks.

Depression Severity Scale

• 1-4: Minimal depression

• 5-9: Mild depression

• 10-14: Moderate depression

• 15-19: Moderately severe depression

• 20-27: Severe depression

Importance of Psychological Health

Psycho-physical Relationship:

Psychological health is deeply linked to physiological health, with each impacting the other. Poor psychological health can lead to physical ailments, while chronic physical disorders can adversely affect mental well-being.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

An interdisciplinary field studying the connections between behavioral, neural, and immune responses. It examines how psychological factors influence the nervous and immune systems. PNI involves various disciplines including psychology, neuroscience, genetics, pharmacology, and immunology.

Personality Traits Affecting Psychological Health

Key traits that have been found to influence psychological health include:

• Agreeableness: The tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic.

• Openness: Openness to new experiences can correlate with higher psychological resilience.

• Neuroticism: High levels of neuroticism are associated with increased vulnerability to stress and anxiety.

• Conscientiousness: A tendency to be organized and dependable, contributing positively to mental health outcomes.

• Extraversion: Extroverted individuals often engage more in social activities which can positively support mental health.

Common Health Issues Among College Students

Prevalent issues affecting college students include:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Stress

• Sleep disturbances

Mood Disorders

Definition

Mood disorders are defined as chronic conditions that significantly affect emotional state, leading to persistent sadness or euphoria that impairs daily functioning.

Types of Major Mood Disorders:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

• Bipolar Disorder

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Characteristics of MDD include severe, chronic depression with both physical and mental effects.Statistics:

• Affects approximately 7% of the US population.

• Roughly 11% among individuals aged 18-25.

• More prevalent in females than males.

Symptoms of MDD

• Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.

• Preoccupation with failures or perceptions by others.

• Difficulty concentrating and memory impairments.

• Changes in libido and energy levels.

• Symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, or hypersomnia.

• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.

• Notable weight changes (weight loss or gain).

• Suicidal thoughts or feelings.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Also known as dysthymia, PDD is a milder yet chronic form of depression that lasts for over two years. It differs from MDD in terms of severity and duration of symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder

Characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression, bipolar disorder leads to extreme mood swings that can affect daily life significantly.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A form of depression that typically occurs during specific seasons, most commonly in winter months, when sunlight exposure is minimal.

Causes of Mood Disorders

Multiple factors contribute to the development of mood disorders, including:

• Biological differences: Variations in brain chemistry can influence mood.

• Hormonal changes: Fluctuating hormones can affect mood stability.

• Genetic predisposition: Family history can increase risk factors for mood disorders.

• Life events and childhood trauma: Significant psychological stressors can trigger mood disorders.

• Significant losses and traumatic experiences.

Anxiety Disorders

Definition

Anxiety disorders are characterized by persistent feelings of worry, fear, and an overwhelming sense of calamity, often leading to physical symptoms and impeding daily life.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

• Panic Disorders: Involve sudden, intense feelings of terror known as panic attacks, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations or shortness of breath.

• Phobic Disorders: Marked by irrational fears toward specific objects or situations, often leading to avoidance behavior.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Characterized by compulsive behaviors and repetitive rituals aimed at reducing anxiety.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Developed after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, leading to severe anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional distress.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder affecting approximately 1% of the U.S. population, characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, and sense of self. Symptoms may include hallucinations, delusions, and significant impairment in social functioning.