Chapter Three

Psychological Health (Mental Health) is defined positively by the presence of wellness, or negatively as the absence of mental sickness

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Psychological Health is not: being normal, conforming to social norms, not having the need to seek help for personal problems, or personal appearance

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Studied very successful peopleHe determined a hierarchy of needs

Physiological needs (most urgent)SafetyBeing lovedMaintaining self-esteemSelf-actualization* (least urgent?)

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Maslow concluded that visibly successful people achieved self-actualization & that they share the following qualities:RealismAcceptance

Self-imageSelf-esteem

AutonomyAuthenticity

IntimacyCreativity

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Chapter Three ©2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. 6

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Physiological Basis for Psychological Disorders

Anxiety DisordersSimple/specific phobiaFear of something definite

Social phobiaFear of humiliation or embarrassment while being observed by others

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Panic disordersSudden unexpected surges in anxietyRapid and strong heart beat

Shortness of breathLoss of physical equilibrium

Feeling of losing mental control

Can lead to agoraphobia

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Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)Excessive worry about future

eventsWorries take over rational

thoughtObsessive-Compulsive disorder

(OCD)Obsessions = recurrent,

unwanted thoughtsCompulsions = repetitive,

difficult-to-resist actionsPost-Traumatic Stress disorder

(PTSD)Reaction to a severely traumatic

event11

Depression Most common mood

disorderAffects young and older

adultsTakes the form of:

Feeling sad and hopelessLoss of pleasurePoor appetite, weight lossInsomniaRestlessnessThoughts of worthlessnessTrouble concentratingThoughts of death or

suicide 12

Expressing the ‘wish’ to be dead

Increasing social withdrawal/isolation

Sudden inexplicable lightening of mood

Previous history of attempts

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Strongest risk factor for suicide is depression

In the U.S. suicide is higher in menWhite men over 65 have highest rate

Women attempt 3X as many suicides as men, men succeed at more than 3X rate of women

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Depends on severity and persons risk of suicide

AntidepressantsPrescribed for Anxiety, PTSD,

OCD, eating disorders, etc.Prozac, paxil

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)Last resort for severe

depressionMild seizure is produced 3-4 treatments/wk. for ~ 4 wks.

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Mania and Bipolar DisorderRestlessnessHaving abundant energyRequiring little sleepTalking nonstop

Many manics swing between mania and depressive states = bipolar disorder

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SchizophreniaGeneral

characteristics Disorganized thoughtsInappropriate

emotionsDelusionsAuditory hallucinationsDeteriorating social

and work functionUncertain causes

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Four Perspectives can be applied to psychological disorders each with a distinct view of human nature

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1. Biological Emphasis is on the influence of the

brain Therapy = Pharmacological

2. Behavioral Emphasis on behavior/actions Behaviorists analyze behavior in

terms of stimulus, response and reinforcement

Therapy = exposure

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3. Cognitive Emphasis on effect of ideas on

behaviors and feelings This model states that behavior

results from attitudes and expectations rather than reinforcements

Therapy tries to expose and identify false ideas that produce anxiety and depression

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4. Psychodynamic Emphasizes thoughts Thoughts are fed by unconscious

ideas and impulses In psychodynamic therapy patients

speak freely, trying to find basis of their feelings

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