Chapter 2

Psychological Health

Psychological Health
Psychological health is the ability to deal effectively with psychological challenges of life.
Becomes more positive or negative as one responds to a constantly changing environment

Characteristics of Psychologically Healthy People
Psychologically healthy people:
Accept themselves
Have realistic/optimistic outlooks on life
Function independently
Form satisfying interpersonal relationships
Cope effectively with change

Characteristics of Psychologically Healthy People (continued)‏
Resolve problems without resorting to substance abuse or violence
Assert themselves appropriately in social situations

The Nervous System
Central nervous system (CNS)‏
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)‏
Consists of nerves that relay information to and from CNS

Major Functions of the Nervous System
The nervous system
Receives, sends, and interprets messages by means of electrical and chemical signals
Produces thoughts, emotions, and physical responses
Emotions are a way of communicating moods.

The Mind
Parts of the brain, collectively referred to as the mind , process information received from the rest of the body and the environment.

The Mind (continued)‏
The mind:
Thinks about what takes place
Finds meaning in events
Considers actions
Makes decisions
Directs responses
Evaluates and remembers consequences
Plans for the future

Personality
A set of distinct thoughts and behaviors, including emotional responses, that characterize how one responds to situations
Many factors, such as biological, cultural, social, and psychological forces, influence personality.

Personality (continued)‏
Temperament is the predictable way a person responds to the environment
Interactions with family members and learning from experiences also mold a person’s psychological development

Theories of Personality Development
Freud’s Framework of Personality
Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs

Freud’s Framework of Personality
The unconscious mind influences behaviors.
Defense mechanisms are ways of thinking and behaving that reduce or eliminate anxiety and guilt by altering a person’s perceptions of reality.
Defense mechanisms protect the mind against psychological conflicts and threats.

Common Defense Mechanisms
Repression —blocking unpleasant thoughts or feelings
Projection —attributing unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or urges to someone else
Rationalization —making up false or self-serving excuses for unpleasant situations or behaviors

Common Defense Mechanisms (continued)‏
Denial —refusing to acknowledge unpleasant situations or feelings
Displacement —redirecting a feeling or response to a less threatening target
Avoidance —taking action to prevent situations that produce powerful feelings
Regression —reducing anxiety by acting immature to feel more secure

Erickson’s Psychosocial Stages of Personality Development
Social influences shape personality.
Individuals progress through eight psychosocial stages throughout their lifetimes.
In order to achieve emotional well-being, one must resolve conflicts associated with each stage

Erickson’s Psychosocial Stages of Personality Development (continued)‏
Trust vs. mistrust
Autonomy vs. doubt/shame
Initiative vs. guilt
Industry vs. inferiority
Identity vs. identity confusion
Birth to 1 year
1 to 3 years
3 to 6 years
6 to12 years
12 to 18 years

Erickson’s Psychosocial Stages of Personality Development (continued)‏
Intimacy vs. isolation
Young adulthood
Generativity vs.stagnation
Middle age
Integrity vs. despair
Old age

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs
Individuals behave in response to their values rather than unconscious drives.
Human needs include basic biological needs and more complex psychological needs.
Personality development is driven by the need to achieve psychological fulfillment or self-actualization .

Psychological Adjustment and Growth
Adjustment occurs when a person learns that certain coping responses meet the demands of life more effectively than others.
Growth occurs when a person learns that certain adjustment strategies enhance his or her sense of freedom and control over self and the environment.

Psychological Adjustment and Growth (continued)‏
Interpersonal conflicts can hinder psychological adjustment and growth.
Aggressive reactions often injure others physically or emotionally.
Assertive reactions maintain one’s rights without interfering with the rights of others or harming them.
Psychological growth fosters the development of autonomy (self-control), which is associated with self-esteem.

Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is a key component of personality.
Influences one’s thoughts, actions, and feelings
Begins to develop early in childhood
Remains fairly constant over time

People with Positive Self-Esteem
Have a high degree of autonomy
Are self-confident and have self-respect
Are satisfied with themselves
Accept challenges
Work well with others
Seek supportive and loving relationships
Adjust easily to change
Accept responsibility for their actions

People with Low Self-Esteem
Have difficulty making decisions
Resist changing behavior
Resent any form of criticism
Put down others to make themselves look or feel better

Improving Self-Esteem and Psychological Health
Make positive lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly, obtaining adequate sleep, and eating a nutritious diet.
Improve intellectual health and attend to spiritual needs.
Foster social contacts.
Protect the quality of your environment.

Psychological (Mental) Illness
Most Americans have one or more family member who suffers from a psychological illness.
Psychological illnesses are prevalent throughout the world, although these problems are often not treated adequately.
Mental illnesses takes a toll on those affected and their families and society.

Defining Psychological (Mental) Illness
Having disturbing thoughts, unpleasant feelings, or inappropriate behaviors that:
Persist and are extreme
Interfere with daily life
Hinder psychological adjustment and growth
Two key features distinguish normal from abnormal emotional responses:
Intensity
Duration

Causes of Psychological Disorders
Alterations of the normal chemical environment of the brain (may be genetic)‏
Brain damage from injuries, tumors, or infections
Drugs such as cocaine
Extremely stressful experiences, particularly in childhood
Pollutants such as pesticides and toxic minerals (e.g., lead, mercury, and arsenic)‏

Treating Psychological Disorders
Treatment for psychological problems generally involves a combination of:
Counseling
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Group therapy
Support groups
Medications

Common Psychological Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Generalized Anxiety Disorder —uncontrollable chronic worrying and nervousness
Phobias —intense and irrational fear of objects or situation
Panic Disorder —panic attacks, unpredictable episodes of extreme fear and loss of emotional control
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder —persistent anxiety and reexperiencing of traumatic events

Common Psychological Disorders (continued)‏
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder —repetitive thoughts that produce anxiety and obsessive behaviors that follow in order to reduce anxiety
Impulse Control Disorders
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder —short attention span and/or hyperactivity that results in serious social impairment
Problem Gambling —compulsive and excessive gambling that disrupts personal, family, or vocational pursuits

Mood Disorders
Major Depressive Disorder
Persistent and profound feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness
Loss of interest in usual activities
Lack of energy
Insomnia
Inability to concentrate
Appetite disturbances

– Bipolar Disorder —episodes of depression followed by episodes or elevated mood (mania)‏
– Seasonal Affective Disorder — depression that is a result of lack of exposure to bright light (e.g., sunlight)‏

Eating and Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa —disorder in which individuals refuse to eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight
Bulimia Nervosa —disorder characterized by a craving for food that is difficult to satisfy; often involves eating excessive amounts of food followed by purging (vomiting)‏

Binge Eating Disorder —pattern of excessive eating, without purging or exercise, in response to emotional distress
Female Athlete Triad —disordered eating affecting female athletes characterized by absence of menstruation and osteoporosis
Muscle Dysmorphia —condition that affects weightlifters/bodybuilders; characterized by dissatisfaction with body, disordered eating, excessive exercise, and abuse of steroids

Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia —mental disorder characterized by disorganized thoughts, hallucinations and delusions, strange behaviors, inappropriate emotions and disjointed speech

Suicide
Although suicide is not a psychological disorder, it is usually preceded by other psychological problems such as depression.
Often, those who commit suicide:
Feel overwhelmed by the demands of life
Are unable to solve their problems or adapt to their situation
Abuse alcohol

Suicide (continued)‏
Consider a person at high suicide risk when he or she:
Is preoccupied with thoughts of death
Communicates the intent to commit suicide to others
Has a history of suicide attempts
Has a family history of suicide
Grieves excessively over the death of a loved one
Has marital or financial problems
Has schizophrenia, an eating disorder, or a terminal illness
Take ALL signs of impending suicide seriously and immediately seek help for the suicidal person.

Across the Life Span
ADHD is a common childhood behavioral disorder.
Affects more boys than girls
Characteristics:
Inability to focus or maintain attention to tasks such as homework
Short attention spans, difficulty following simple instructions
Impulsive behaviors such as interrupting conversations, talking when it’s inappropriate, and acting without thinking about consequences

Across the Life Span (continued)‏
Excessive levels of physical activity or restlessness
Some children with ADHD are aggressive, argumentative, and defiant
Affected children frequently suffer from low self-esteem and have conflicts with family members
Treatment involves certain stimulant medications, behavioral and family counseling
ADHD can persist into adulthood

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Chapter 2

by Terry Patterson

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