Mental Health

Question 1

Positive psychology vs. traditional psychology

Answer 1

Positive psychology is focused on studying happiness, well-being, and positive aspects of human experience.
Traditional psychology, on the other hand, is focused on the study of mental illness and negative aspects of human experience.

Question 2

What is mental illness?

Answer 2

Mental illness refers to abnormal mental and emotional states that cause distress, dysfunction, or deviance.

Question 3

Is it normal to have changes in mood and behavior?

Answer 3

Yes, it is completely normal to have changes in mood and behavior. It is also normal to be weird/eccentric, to misbehave sometimes, etc.

Question 4

What did Freud say about sadness?

Answer 4

Freud said that “sadness” is not abnormal and called it “everyday misery.”

Question 5

How do we define abnormal behavior?

Answer 5

There is no easy way to define abnormal behavior, and to date, there is no objective test for mental illness.

Question 6

What factors influence our judgment of normal behavior?

Answer 6

Our judgment of normal behavior is influenced by at least three factors: social and cultural norms, characteristics of the individual (age, gender, etc.), and context/environment.

Question 7

What are the three considerations of the best current standard for mental illness?

Answer 7

The three considerations are distress (thoughts or behavior that causes pain or suffering), dysfunction (interference with normal functioning in daily life), and deviance (behavior or feelings that are very unusual).

Question 8

What is the official guide used by psychologists to determine mental illness?

Answer 8

The official guide is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Version 5, which lists symptoms for each mental illness and criteria that determine whether something is normal or abnormal.

Question 9

What are the diagnostic criteria for major depression?

Answer 9

The diagnostic criteria for major depression include depressed mood or loss of pleasure in daily activities for at least 2 weeks, impaired function, and at least 5 of the following symptoms appearing nearly every day for 2 weeks.

Question 10

What is meant by “depressed mood”?

Answer 10

“Depressed mood” refers to a break with the person’s baseline mood.

Question 11

How is function impaired in major depression?

Answer 11

Function is impaired either socially, occupationally, or educationally in major depression.

Question 12

What are the 9 symptoms used to diagnose major depression?

Answer 12

The 9 symptoms used to diagnose major depression include a) depressed mood or irritability, b) decreased interest or pleasure in most daily activities, c) significant weight change or change in appetite, d) change in sleep patterns (insomnia or hypersomnia), e) change in activity (psychomotor agitation or retardation), f) fatigue or loss of energy, g) feelings of guilt or worthlessness, h) diminished ability to concentrate, and i) thoughts of death or suicide.

Question 13

How long must symptoms be present to diagnose major depression?

Answer 13

Symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks to diagnose major depression.

Question 14

What is psychomotor agitation or retardation?

Answer 14

Psychomotor agitation refers to an increase in physical and mental activity, while psychomotor retardation refers to a decrease in physical and mental activity.

Question 15

What are some examples of impaired social function in major depression?

Answer 15

Examples of impaired social function in major depression may include social withdrawal or difficulties with relationships.

Question 16

How is major depression different from sadness?

Answer 16

Major depression is different from sadness in that it is a prolonged and severe condition that affects daily life, while sadness is a normal emotion that is usually temporary and does not significantly impair daily function.

Question 17

Why is it important to diagnose major depression?

Answer 17

It is important to diagnose major depression because it is a treatable condition that can greatly improve a person’s quality of life and reduce the risk of suicide.

Question 18

What should you do if you think you might be depressed?

Answer 18

If you think you might be depressed, in the early stages you should follow all advice from this class, such as eating well, being active, sleeping well, spending time outside, taking breaks, etc. Additionally, always talk to friends or family about whatever is bothering you.

Question 19

What should you do if symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes and talking to loved ones?

Answer 19

If symptoms persist despite lifestyle changes and talking to loved ones, you should always go to see an expert.

Question 20

Who can you talk to about your symptoms of depression?

Answer 20

You can talk to friends or family about your symptoms of depression.

Question 21

What are some lifestyle changes that can help with symptoms of depression?

Answer 21

Eating well, being active, sleeping well, spending time outside, and taking breaks are some lifestyle changes that can help with symptoms of depression.

Question 22

Why is it important to talk to loved ones about your symptoms of depression?

Answer 22

It is important to talk to loved ones about your symptoms of depression because they can provide emotional support and help you get the care you need.

Question 23

What kind of expert should you see if you think you might be depressed?

Answer 23

If you think you might be depressed, you should see a mental health professional such as a therapist or psychiatrist.

Question 24

How can a mental health professional help with depression?

Answer 24

A mental health professional can help with depression by providing therapy and/or medication, and by developing a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Question 25

What are some signs that you might be depressed?

Answer 25

Signs that you might be depressed include feeling sad or hopeless, losing interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, feeling tired or lacking energy, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Question 26

Why is it important to seek treatment for depression?

Answer 26

It is important to seek treatment for depression because it is a treatable condition that can greatly improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of suicide.

Question 27

What are the three main treatment strategies for mental illness?

Answer 27

The three main treatment strategies for mental illness are biological/chemical, cognitive/behavioral, and other approaches.

Question 28

What is the biological/chemical approach to treating mental illness?

Answer 28

The biological/chemical approach to treating mental illness involves using drugs that affect neurotransmitters in the brain to address chemical imbalances that may exist in the brains of people with mental illness.

Question 29

How do cognitive/behavioral theories and therapy address mental illness?

Answer 29

Cognitive/behavioral theories and therapy address mental illness by recognizing that thoughts affect feelings, and by identifying and changing negative habits of thought through therapy and practice.

Question 30

What is Freudian psychotherapy and psychodynamic theories?

Answer 30

Freudian psychotherapy and psychodynamic theories involve examining our lives and attitudes towards ourselves to re-shape how we interpret our experiences, recognizing that our identities and perception of ourselves are shaped in childhood.

Question 31

What is interpersonal therapy?

Answer 31

Interpersonal therapy recognizes that our important relationships are usually the trigger for mental health problems, especially depression, and aims to understand and improve relationships as the key to mental health.

Question 32

What is transpersonal therapy and psychology?

Answer 32

Transpersonal therapy and psychology focus on how we think about ourselves in a spiritual sense, our place in the world, our sense of meaning and purpose, recognizing that these factors are at the root of many mental health problems.

Question 33

Why is it important to consider multiple treatment approaches for mental illness?

Answer 33

It is important to consider multiple treatment approaches for mental illness because different approaches may be more effective for different individuals, and a combination of approaches may be necessary to address multiple factors contributing to mental illness.

Question 34

How can medication be used to treat mental illness?

Answer 34

Medication can be used to treat mental illness by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain, which can address chemical imbalances that may contribute to mental illness.

Question 35

What is the goal of cognitive/behavioral therapy?

Answer 35

The goal of cognitive/behavioral therapy is to identify and change negative habits of thought that may be contributing to mental illness, and to replace them with more positive and constructive habits of thought.