Understanding Mental Health: Definitions, Impact, and Treatment Options

1. Chapter 12 Mental Health

2. Mental Health: What Is It? One definition: “how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life” (Kellogg, R. (2008). Quoted in What is mental health? [Press Release]). What is good mental health? One definition: “a state of well-being that allows someone to be productive, have fulfilling relationships, cope with difficult circumstances, and adapt to change.”

3. Mental health and physical health are connected. • Mental health affects physical health (being depressed increases the risk for heart disease). • Physical health affects mental health (lack of air can cause a panic attack; regular exercise lowers the risk for depression).

4. Mental illness is common, but it doesn’t mean a person is crazy. 1 in 5 adults (45 million Americans) suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Half of all Americans will experience some form of mental illness during their lives. People with mental illnesses love others, hold jobs, and contribute to society.

5. What Affects Mental Health? Biology • Some mental illnesses have genetic components. • Neurotransmitters, hormones, physical health and other factors can affect mental illnesses and how they are perceived. Social and Psychosocial Factors • The way women are treated affects their mental health

6. What Affects Mental Health? • Stress • Chronic stress, and the way people react to it, affect mental health. • Women are more likely than men to internalize stress. • Traumatic events can cause or contribute to mental illness. • Coping with stress in a positive manner can improve mental health. • How do you respond to stress?

7. Costs of Mental Illness to Society Undefined burden of mental problems • Refers to the economic and social burden for families, communities, and countries Hidden burden of mental problems • Refers to the stigma and violations of human rights and freedoms associated with mental problems

8. What Mental Illnesses Affect Women • Compared to men, women are more likely to have • Depression (2x) • Seasonal affective disorder (4x) • Anorexia, bulimia (9x) • Phobias, panic disorder (~2x) • Borderline, histrionic personality disorder. • Women are less likely to have schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder, attention-deficit disorder, and to be violent as a result of mental illness.

9. The Economic Burden of Mental Illness Need for mental health and social services Lost employment and reduced productivity Financial burden placed on families and caregivers Increased levels of crime and threat to public safety Negative effects of premature mortality

10. Legal Dimensions: The Mental Illness/Crime Paradox Given treatment, people with mental illness are no more likely to commit crimes than the general public. Without treatment, however, the mentally ill are more likely to commit crimes and to be arrested.

11. Clinical Dimensions of Mental Health Mood Disorders • Unipolar disorder: depression and dysthymia • Bipolar disorder: manic depression Types of depression • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) • Postpartum depression • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

12. Depression Persistent, inescapable feelings of sadness, low energy and apathy. Treatment for depression • Antidepressant drugs • Psychotherapy • Combination of therapy and drugs

13. Bipolar Disorder Both highs and lows • Highs: feelings of wonder and euphoria and/or overly stimulated, easily distracted, and easily irritated • Lows: deep, persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, or guilt; they might also have low energy, a reduced sense of pleasure and a lowered sex drive, and thoughts of suicide

14. Anxiety Disorders • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) • Phobias • Panic disorder • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

15. Anxiety Disorders Treatment for anxiety disorders • Cognitive behavioral therapy • Antianxiety medications • Antidepressants • Medication and therapy together

16. Treating Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders Treatment CAN and USUALLY does help. But… • It is difficult. • It takes time. Treatment can include medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two (both together normally work better than either alone).

17. Eating Disorders Anorexia Nervosa • Deprivation of food and a body weight of at least 15% below the normal weight based on height and age Symptoms • Refusal to maintain an adequate weight • Intense fear of gaining weight • Distorted body image • In women, absence of three consecutive menstrual periods

18. Eating Disorders Bulimia Nervosa • Cyclic binge eating followed by purging • Symptoms • Recurrent episodes of bingeing and vomiting • Feeling out of control during a binge • Purging after a binge • Extreme concern with body weight and shape

19. Eating Disorders Binge Eating Disorder Compulsive overeating without purging • At least three of the following: • Rapid, continuous eating (thousands of calories) • Eating when not physically hungry • Eating while alone • Eating beyond the point of comfort • Feeling self-disgust after a binge

20. Treatment for Eating Disorders Psychotherapy Behavior modification therapy Family therapy Antidepressants

21. Personality Disorders • Obsessive-compulsive • Paranoid • Passive-aggressive • Schizoid • Schizotypal Antisocial Avoidant Borderline Dependent Histrionic Narcissistic

22. Schizophrenia Psychosis—severe mental disorder characterized by lack of contact with reality and severe personality changes Schizophrenia—type of psychosis; afflicts about 2.5 million Americans, with men and women equally afflicted Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and impaired ability to interact with others Treatment: antipsychotics and psychotherapy

23. Dissociative Disorders Unconscious way to protect self from emotional traumas by detaching from a part of one’s personality Several types: dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder), dissociative amnesia

24. Suicide Risk factors Adverse life events in combination with depression Prior suicide attempt Family history of mental disorder or substance abuse Family history of suicide Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse Firearms in home Incarceration

25. Informed Decision Making: Healthful Ways to Cope with Stress Watching a funny movie or show, telling and listening to jokes, or other activities that bring laughter Exercise (regular activity is best, but any amount of exercise brings benefits) Meditation or prayer Gardening Spending time with a pet or pets Getting a massage

26. If you have some form of mental illness: You are not alone. Help is available—and it can make a difference.

27. Informed Decision Making: Healthful Ways to Cope with Stress • Visualization (imagining yourself on a calm beach, a quiet meadow, or some other peaceful, relaxing situation) • Listening to music • Naps or simply lying down, closing one’s eyes and relaxing • Regular exercise • Creative endeavors (writing, drawing or painting, dancing, etc.)