Download Understanding Mental Health: Definitions, Characteristics, and Disorders - Prof. Kimberly and more Study notes Health psychology in PDF only on Docsity! 9/13/11 Mental Health Mental Health o The absence of sickness (narrow) o The presence of wellness (broader def) The narrow def o Focuses on worst problems o Focuses on people most in need o Ignores common problems that should be addressed The broader definition o Is a more ambitious definition o Encourages us to fulfill our own potential Recent health research been more emphasis on what are the characteristics of a mentally healthy person Positive Psychology – focuses on positive emotions, character strengths, and other conditions that create happiness o 6 virtues wisdom seeking out knowledge courage seeking to accomplish goals in face of opposition humanity interpersonal strength, care of others justice civic strength, concerned about the community temperance strength to guard against excess transcendence forge connections with world around us Characteristics of mentally healthy people o high self esteem o realistic/accepting o altruistic o control o social competence o control irrational thought patterns o optimistic o capacity for intimacy- and do not fear commitment o creative- and appreciate the creativity of others o reasonable risks o bounce back from adversity (resilience) self actualization model o Abraham Maslow, toward a psychology of being o Developed the hierarchy of needs Physiological needs Safety Being loved Maintaining self-esteem Self-actualization o When urgent, life-sustaining needs satisfied, then less basic needs take a priority o Studied subjects who where successful and living life to its fullest Self actualization o Highest level of growth in Maslow’s hierarchy o Mental wellness reached by satisfying hierarchy o Share these qualities Realism Acceptance Autonomy Authenticity Capacity for intimacy Creativity Emotional Intelligence - “EI” individuals o Recognize, name and understand their emotions o Manage their emotions and control their moods o Motivate themselves o Recognize and respond to the emotions of others o Tend to be socially competent Enhancing mental health to meet life’s challenges o Being less defensive o Being optimistic o Cultivating a strong social networks o Developing good communication o Dealing with anger o Establishing a healthy lifestyle Mental Disorders o A Patten of behavior associated with distress, disability, or with significantly increased risk of suffering, death, pain, disability or loss of freedom o Result of many factors Biological Traumatic events Familial, social and cultural influences Mood disorders o 21 mil American adults have depressive illness any give year o Major Depressive Disorder- leading cause of disability among Americans age 15-44)
