psychological problems Flashcards
(37 cards)
international classification diseases ICD
a list of symptoms/other features off different physical/mental health problems which provide the criteria for diagnosing them
culture in mental health problems
-culture varies in mental health belief
-mental health problems is seen as shameful-stigma
-culture influences the type of treatment someone receives
-kept away from family, medication used, emotions valued and iscolation
characteristic of good mental health
-not being overcome by feelings
-good relationships
-copes with stress/every day demands
-functions with society
stigma
situations/people or characteristics
mental health definition
a persons emotional and psychological well being that allows them to cope with normal stresses of everyday life and society
mental health problems definition
diagnosable condition in which a persons thought, feelings and behaviors change and they are less able to cope and function
why mental health problems are becoming more common
-many mental health conditions like depression have a growing upward trend, some stay constant
-rising may be because more people meet criteria, more people are seeking help and cultures rely less on traditional methods
challenges of modern living and effects on mental health
-living in more populated areas=increase stress
-challenges n the way we live increases loneliness and isolation
-more people living on their own, family breakdown
-social media replaces face to face communication
mental health effects on individuals and on society
individuals=trouble sleeping, low energy levels and even poor concentration, decreased physical wellbeing
society= problems it has for the economy.
money lost due to decreased work productivity.
link between imprisonment and mental health problems.
increased spending’s in health areas
what is sadness
normal emotional reaction to certain situations or events
difference between sadness and depression
-Sadness is a normal emotional reaction to certain situations or events, while depression occurs without any obvious trigger.
-sadness is not a continuous feeling, Depression affects every part of our daily lives and often does not get better without medical or therapeutic intervention.
what is unipolar depression
Unipolar depression (depression or just depression). a mood disorder where individuals have a continuous low mood and loss of enjoyment and energy.
bipolar depression
a mood disorder that causes an individual mood, energy and activity to change from one extreme to another
bipolar depression experiences two types of mood changes.
diagnosing unipolar depression
The ICD-10 outlines the symptoms for a depressive episode as:
Low Mood
Reduced energy and activity levels
Changes in sleep pattern
Changes to appetite levels
the influence of nature for depression- biological explanation
one suggestion is that it is influenced by nature
-depression can be caused by imbalance of of neurotransmitters-chemicals.
-Neurons are communicating constantly with one another using neurotransmitters and this is very important for the brain to function properly.
The two main neurotransmitters linked with depression are serotonin and norepinephrine.
serotonin=helps control sleep patterns, aggression, appetite and mood. .
Norepinephrine= is released during the fight and flight response and gets the body and brain ready for action.
studies show link between neurotransmitters and depression however it is difficult to measure the actual levels within the complex brain.
influence of nurture for depression-psychological explanation
cognitive theory for depression-people explain the things that happen to them and the views they have about the world and themselves. Theory based on schemas Having negative schemas have been linked to the development of depression. EG-traumatic events in childhood may contribute to the development of negative schemas which affect the way people view themselves and the world. They can perceive situations negatively to an exaggerated degree.
how attributions influence depression
Attributions are the way in which people explain the causes of behaviours and situations.
Two dimensions of attributions are internal-external and stable-unstable.
-internal attribution= people explain situations/ behaviors as being caused by dispositional factors such as personality or ability.
-external attribution= people explain situations/ behaviors as being caused by situational factors, such as the weather or the economy.
-stable attribution= explain situations or behaviours as being caused by factors that do not change i.e. gender.
-unstable attribution= explain the behaviour or situation as being caused by factors that are temporary i.e. tiredness
research has found that people who are more likely to be depressed have attributions that are internal and stable.
treatments for depression- antidepressants
Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitters such as serotonin and noradrenaline.
SSRIs -most common stop the reuptake of serotonin.
stopping this reuptake process increases the levels of serotonin which contributes to the reduced effects of depression.
However, research suggests antidepressants are not as effective for people suffering from mild depression.
Treatments for depression: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
-It is based on cognitive theory and the assumption that our thought processes affect our behaviour and emotions.
-CBT is a “talking therapy” that looks to help people change their thinking patterns, such as negative schemas which may have developed.
-tackles depression by getting people to focus on the “here and now” problems rather than those from the past or imagined ones.
CBT IS A REDUCTIONIST APPROACH
Wiles’ effectiveness of CBT study (2013) showed positive results for the use of CBT in treating depression.
holistic approach
the view that the parts of something are all connected and understandable by studying it from a whole e.g. mix of biological, psychological and social factors
reductionist approach
understanding a complex thing like human behavior by simplifying it to the basic parts
description Wiles’ Study of the Effectiveness of CBT
Aim: to investigate the effectiveness of (CBT) in treating depressed people who did not show improvement from taking medication.
study: longitudinal field experiment carried out in the real-life environment. Participants lived in the UK, 18-75 years old. They had been taking antidepressants for at least 6 weeks with little or no improvement.
Method: Participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups. An experimental group of 234 participants were allocated to receive CBT as well as antidepressant medication. A control group of 235 participants were allocated to continue to take only antidepressants and normal medical care.
Results: After 6 months, 90% of participants were followed up. Researchers found 46% of the group who received CBT showed a notable improvement in symptoms compared to only 22% of the control group.
Conclusion: When CBT is used in addition to antidepressants and normal medical care, it is an effective way of reducing the symptoms of depression
evaluation of Wiles’ Study of the Effectiveness of CBT
STRENGTH=
-longitudinal study shows changes and effects over time
-extraneous variables controlled
-more holistic approach, study used to develop a useful therapy
WEAKNESS=
-the use of self report methods to determine levels of depression
-Although almost half of the participants in Wiles’ study showed improvement after having CBT, 54% of participants did not.
substance misuse
using a substances for a purpose, or in harmful amounts that is different to the recommended pattern of use
