PowerPoint Lecture Outlines prepared by Dr. Lana Zinger, QCC CUNY 2 Psychosocial Health: Being Mentally, Emotionally, Socially, and Spiritually Well
Defining Psychosocial Health What is it? Complex interaction of mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions, including past and present experiences
Psychosocial Health Figure 2.1
Elements Shared by Psychosocially Healthy People Healthy people Feel good about themselves Feel comfortable with other people Control tension and anxiety Are able to meet the demands of life Curb hate and guilt Maintain a positive outlook Value diversity Appreciate and respect nature Enrich the lives of others
Characteristics of Psychosocially Healthy and Unhealthy People Figure 2.2
Defining Psychosocial Health Mental health Thinking or rational part of psychosocial health Mentally healthy people tend to respond in positive ways Irrational thinking may indicate poor mental health
Defining Psychosocial Health Emotional health The feeling you Emotions are complex feelings Love, hate, frustration Richard Lazarus notes four types 1) Emotions from harm, loss, threat 2) Emotions from benefits 3) Borderline emotions (hope/compassion) 4) Complex emotion (grief/disappointment)
Defining Psychosocial Health Social health Importance of social interactions Social bonds Social support Prejudices may indicate poor social health
Defining Psychosocial Health Spiritual health A belief in a unifying force that gives purpose or meaning to life Four main themes of spirituality 1) Interconnectedness 2) Mindfulness 3) Spirituality as a part of daily life 4) Living in harmony with our community
Four Major Themes of Spirituality Figure 2.3
Spirituality: A Key to Better Health Studies of spirituality among college students indicate Better health Better grades Involvement in charitable activities More interest in helping others
Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health External factors Family The macro environment
Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health Internal factors Heredity traits Hormonal function Physical health Physical fitness level Mental and emotional health
Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health Self-efficacy Belief in one s ability Self-esteem Sense of self-respect or self-worth
Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health Learned helplessness vs. optimism Learned helplessness (Seligman) Giving up because of repeated past failure Learned optimism Teaching oneself to be optimistic
Factors Influencing Psychosocial Health Personality Influences Heredity Culture Environment Experience Basic personality traits Extroversion Agreeableness Openness to experience Emotional stability Conscientiousness
Enhancing Psychosocial Health Developing and maintaining self-esteem and selfefficacy Find a support group Complete required tasks Form realistic expectations Make time for yourself Maintain physical health Examine problems and seek help if needed Can you think of ways to enhance psychosocial health?
Enhancing Psychosocial Health Sleep Conservation of energy Restoration of neurotransmitters Improve sleep quality Establish a consistent sleep schedule Evaluate your sleep environment; change anything that could be disturbing you (light, noise, etc..) Exercise regularly Limit caffeine, alcohol, and avoid eating heavy meals before bed Establish a nighttime ritual that relaxes you and gets you ready to sleep
Mind-Body Connection Happiness Can have a profound affect on the body Laughter can enhance health Stressed people become less depressed with humor Students who use humor as a coping mechanism experience positive mood Jokes, especially shared, increase social cohesion What are the things that make you happy?
Satisfaction with Life Scale Figure 2.4
Mind-Body Connection Three components of subjective well-being (SWB) Satisfaction with present life Relative presence of positive emotions Relative absence of negative emotions
When Psychosocial Health Deteriorates Variety of circumstances can lead to differing levels of psychosocial health deterioration Stress, anxiety, traumatic events, abusive relationships, chemical imbalances, drug interactions Mental Illness Disorders disrupting thinking, feeling, moods, behaviors, and cause some level of impaired functioning Can range from mild to severe Affect those with the disorder and those around them About 1 in every 4 people in the U.S. aged 18 and older suffer from a diagnosed mental disorder each year Huge disparities by age, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status
When Psychosocial Health Deteriorates Variety of mental health threats to college students Range in severity Include threats from anxiety to depression to sexual assault to relationship issues Recent studies show 93.8% of students feel overwhelmed, 80.7% very sad, 63.8% felt things were hopeless, 1.5% had attempted suicide, 16% diagnosed with depression
Mood Disorders Depression Common cold of psychological disturbances 14.8 million Americans experience depression People with major depressive disorders experience Chronic mood disorder Feelings of extreme and persistent sadness or despair Feel discouraged by life
Mood Disorders Risks for depression Interaction of biology, learned behaviors, and cognitive factors. Chemical and genetic processes may be predisposing factors
Mood Disorders Types of depression Major depressive disorder Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) Alternating episodes of mania (highs) and depression (lows) Biologic, genetic, and environmental factors may be causative Factors that trigger episodes Drugs Stress Traumatic events
Mood Disorders Causes of depression Major depressive disorder caused by many factors, including biology, learned behavioral responses, cognitive factors, environment Bipolar disorder appears to run in families Low self-esteem, going through a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problems, facing various type of pressure can all trigger depression Physical changes to the body, including stroke, heart disease, cancer, chronic pain, type 2 diabetes, etc., can lead to depression
Mood Disorders Depression and gender Twice as likely in adolescent and adult females vs. males Hormonal factors may contribute to increase in women Differences in coping strategies Suicide rates among depressed men are four times those of women Older adults Not normal for older people to be depressed Less likely to discuss symptoms to be diagnosed Medications can increase risk Children Rates increasing Many signs, including pretending to be sick, self-mutilation, trouble with drugs or alcohol, attempted suicide
Mood Disorders Treatment Cognitive therapy Interpersonal therapy Pharmacological treatment Be aware of risks of taking antidepressants Ask questions before taking medication
ABC News: Psychosocial Health Play Video Psychosocial Health Discussion Questions Do think drug companies or the physicians who prescribe antidepressants to adolescents are responsible for the suicides of children taking such drugs? Should parents of children taking antidepressants be informed of warning signs to watch for in their children? Do you think antidepressants administered to children should be banned? Why or why not?
Anxiety Disorders Types Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Panic disorders Obsessive-compulsive disorder Phobic disorders Sources of anxiety disorders Biology Environment Social and cultural role
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Facts 6% of Americans suffer from SAD 14% of Americans report mild winter blues Caused by a malfunction of the hypothalamus and possibly by stress Treatments include exposure to ultraviolet rays (lamps that simulate sunlight), diet change, exercise, stress management, sleep restriction, psychotherapy, antidepressants
Schizophrenia Facts 1% of U.S. population suffers from schizophrenia People with schizophrenia may experience alterations of the senses including auditory and visual hallucinations May experience an inability to sort out incoming stimuli and make appropriate responses May experience radical changes in emotions, movements, and behaviors
Gender Issues in Psychosocial Health Gender bias can hinder correct diagnosis of psychological disorders Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) more severe Can interfere with ability to function in daily life Severe cases may be treated with antidepressants Characterized by depression, irritability, and other symptoms of increased stress
Suicide: Giving Up on Life Facts 32,000 confirmed suicides reported annually in the U.S. Experts estimate 100,000 may be more accurate College students are more likely to attempt suicide than the general population Third leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds
Suicide: Giving Up on Life Warning signs Recent loss and inability to let go of grief Changes in personality and/or behavior Diminished sexual drive Change in sleep and/or appetite Expressions of self-hatred Preoccupation with themes of death What are some other signs you have heard of or experienced?
Suicide: Giving Up on Life Taking action to prevent suicide Monitor the warning signs Take ALL threats seriously Let the person know you care Listen Ask directly, Are you thinking of hurting yourself? Don t belittle the person s feelings Help them to think of alternatives Tell the persons friends, family, and counselor
Seeking Professional Help Consult a credentialed health professional for a thorough exam An exam should include Physical checkup Psychiatric history Mental status exam Why do you think more people don t seek professional help?
Seeking Professional Help What to expect from therapy Mental and verbal sizing Explain your needs Answer as honestly as possible Do not expect the therapist to tell you what to do or how to behave If a therapist is not right for you, find another