Mental Health
Explain the mental health continuum.
Looks at the varying levels of mental health, from mentally healthy, to a mental health problem to a mental illness/disorder.
What does the APS stand for?
Australian Psychological Society.
What are the 4Ps?
Predisposing, Precipitating, Perpetuating, Protective
What category does specific phobia fall under, according to the DSM?
Anxiety Disorders.
What is resilience?
Resilience involves people using their skills and strengths to cope, or learning new skills to cope, which helps them adapt to the stressor. The ability to 'bounce back'.
What is the difference between internal and external factors affecting mental health?
Internal refers to the influences that are physiologically determined (biological) or thought processes (psychological) whereas external refers to influences in one's environment.
What is the difference between a placebo and a placebo effect?
Placebo is the substance or treatment that resembles the real treatment.
The placebo effect is the change or improvement in wellbeing (can be short or long lasting).
What is the difference between a predisposing risk factor and a precipitating risk factor?
Predisposing increase a person’s vulnerability to developing a mental health problem.
Precipitating triggers the onset or exacerbation of a mental health problem.
What is a biological risk factor for the development of specific phobia?
GABA dysfunction, role of stress response or LTP
What are three protective factors for maintaining mental health?
Biological, psychological and social factors.
Provide an example of an internal factor and an external factor on mental health.
Internal- genes, gender, balance/imbalance of neurotransmitters, response to medication etc. or psychological such as our thought patterns etc.
External- school/work pressures, stress, education, level of employment, money etc.
Identify one concern with using a placebo treatment.
It takes away the real treatment for those who may in fact need it. It can also negatively impact the way an individual feels about treatment if they don't see any changes because they have the placebo.
True or False. Self-efficacy is a psychological, predisposing risk factor.
True.
How are phobias acquired and maintained?
Acquired through Classical Conditioning and maintained through Operant Conditioning.
Provide an example of a biological, psychological and social protective factor for maintaining mental health.
Bio- adequate diet and sleep
Psych- cognitive behavioural strategies
Social- support from family and friends
True or False. Mary is suffering from a mental health problem as she has been breaking out in a rash the past two months due to the number of SACs she has had this term.
True.
When is informed consent from the individual themselves technically not needed?
When they are already hospitalised. The hospital can give consent on their behalf.
Provide an example of each of the 4Ps.
Predisposing- genetics, physical illness, self-efficacy etc.
Precipitating- poor sleep, substance abuse etc.
Perpetuating- substance abuse, rumination etc.
Protective- strong support network, satisfying job etc.
Explain how one evidence-based social intervention could be used to further assist David in managing his specific phobia of cockroaches. (3 marks- VCAA 2018)
Psychoeducation- involve family, friends, social networks of David's by providing them with info. relating to the phobia, how it is triggered and what they can do to support David. They may challenge his unrealistic thoughts or discourage avoidance behaviours etc.
What is the transtheoretical model of behaviour change? Identify one strength and one limitation of this theory.
Based on the belief that behavioural change is a process that evolves over time that requires people to move through stages, rather than a single event. The model has 4 main components:
• stages of change
• decisional balance
• self-efficacy
process of change
List three characteristics of someone with a high level of emotional wellbeing.
Awareness and understanding of their own emotions
Regulate their emotions
Express a range of emotions in an appropriate way
Accept mistakes and setbacks
Adapt to changing environment
Take on challenges/risks etc.
True or False. According to Walsh (2002), 40.2% of participants with a diagnosed depression disorder improved after they received a placebo treatment which they believed was an antidepressant medication
False. It was 29.7%.
Choose one of the 4Ps, and provide examples of each component of the biopsychosocial model.
Slide 34.
As an adult, David decided to seek professional help to manage anxiety associated with his phobia of cockroaches. David’s psychologist recommended using breathing retraining.
Explain how breathing retraining could be used to assist David with lowering his levels of anxiety. (3 marks- VCAA 2018)
Breathing is often fast/shallow when dealing with a phobic stimulus leading to hyperventilation/activation of sympathetic NS.
Breathing retraining involves teaching David to consciously control/slow his breath (by taking slow, deep inhalations and exhalations through the nose/diaphragm breathing, etc.) when experiencing anxiety/fear
Breathing retraining acts to reduce physiological arousal associated with fear/anxiety/phobic response/restore balance of oxygen/carbon dioxide/regulate breathing rate/activate parasympathetic response.
Identify and explain the five stages of change according to the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change.
Pre-contemplation- individual is not aware/does not believe there is a problem. Purpose during this stage is to educate.
Contemplation- intends to change behaviour, weighs up pros and cons of changing behaviour. May seek information on negative effects of their behaviour
Preparation- ready to take action, have devised a plan of action- may make contact with support networks
Action- overt attempts to change behaviour. Requires commitment and energy
Maintenance/Relapse- attempts to continue the change. Focus is to prevent relapse. Tend to receive less social support because the behaviour appears changed.