lecture 1

• Mental health

  A state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively & fruitfully & to be able to make a contribution to her or his community
• Mental illness


  A clinically significant behavioural or psychological, syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual & is associated with present distress, or disability or with significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability or an important loss of freedom
• Characteristics of mental health

  • Possess the ability to accept themselves, others & nature
  • Have positive self concepts & relate well to people & environment
  • Able to form close relationships with others & show kindness, patience & compassion for others
  • Perceive the world as it really is & people as they really are
  • Able to appreciate & enjoy life
  • Independent in thought & action & rely on personal standards of behavior & values
  • Are creative, using a variety of approaches as they perform tasks or solve problems
  • Behaviour is consistent as they appreciate & respect the rights of others, display a willingness to listen & learn from others, and show respect for the uniqueness of & difference in others
• Concept of mental health

  Displays self-awareness, is self-directive, is reasonably worry free, & can cope with usual daily tensions<|>Function well in society, are accepted within a group, & generally satisfied with their lives<|>Ability to solve problems, fulfill one's capacity for love & work, cope with crises & maintain a state of well-being by enjoying life, setting goals & limits<|>Cultural beliefs influence the determination of mental health & mental illness
• Factors that influence mental health

  • Inherited characteristics
  • Nurturing during childhood
  • Life circumstances
• Inherited characteristics

  • Theorists believe that no one is completely normal & that the ability to maintain a mentally health outlook on life is in part, due to one's genes
  • Genetic defects may predispose a person to cognitive disability, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
  • Such people have inborn differences in sensitivity & temperament that prompt various responses to their environment
• Nurturing during childhood

  • Positive nurturing starts with bonding at childbirth & includes feeling of love, security & acceptance
  • Child experiences positive interactions with parents & sibling
  • Negative nurturing includes circumstances such as maternal deprivation, parental rejection, sibling rivalry, & early communication failures
  • Individuals exposed to poor nurturing may develop poor self-esteem or poor communication skills, may display socially unacceptable behavior as they seek to have their basic needs met
• How can one maintain mental health?

  1. Interpersonal communication

  2. Ego defense mechanisms

  3. Support people

  4. Personal strategies
• Interpersonal communication

  Open, honest communication: when this occurs, 2 people share emotions<|>In tune with each other, capable of experiencing each other's reactions. This reaction is termed complete emotional & personal communication<|>Helps one maintain emotional maturity
• Ego defense mechanisms

  Unconscious mental processes whereby anxiety, fear conflict, experienced is reduced<|>First coined by Sigmund Freud a psychoanalytic theorist
• Common Ego defense mechanisms

  • Repression
  • Regression
  • Denial
  • Projection
  • Sublimation
  • Displacement
  • Rationalization
  • Intellectualization/Isolation
• Support people/Significant others


  Groups of support during periods of increased stress<|>Can act as a sounding board, simply listening while one vents various feelings & emotions or may interact as the need arises<|>Nurses need to help patients identify support people as well as suggest people who might be supportive
• Personal strategies

  • Aerobic exercise
  • Aromatherapy
  • Martial arts
  • Massage
  • Meditation
  • Prayer
  • Progressive relaxation therapy
  • Self-hypnosis
  • Sports
  • Walking
  • Yoga
• Difference between mental health & mental illness

  Mental Health: Accepts self & others, Able to cope with stress, can return to normal function if temporarily disturbed, Able to form close & lasting relationships<|>Mental illness: Feels inadequate, has poor self-concept, Unable to cope with stress, shows maladaptive behavior, Unable to form a meaningful relationship
• Differences between mental health & mental illness

  Mental health: Uses sound judgement to make decisions, accepts responsibility of actions<|>Mental illness: Displays poor judgement, irresponsible or unable to accept responsibility for actions
• Differences between mental health & mental illness

  Mental health: Is optimistic, Recognizes abilities & deficiencies, Can function effectively & independently<|>Mental illness: Is pessimistic, Does not recognize abilities & deficiencies, Shows dependency needs because of feelings of inadequacy
• Differences between mental health & mental illness

  Mental health: Able to differentiate imaginations & reality, Able to develop potential & talents to fullest extent<|>Mental illness: Unable to perceive reality, Does not recognize potential & talents because of poor self-concepts
• Differences between mental health & mental illness

  Mental health: Able to solve problems, Can delay gratification<|>Mental illness: Avoids problems rather than coping with them or attempting to cope with them, Desire or demands immediate gratification
• Summary of Mental health characteristics

  • Communicating emotions
  • Giving & receiving
  • Working alone & with others
  • Accepting authority
  • Displaying a sense of humour
  • Coping well with emotional conflict
• Summary of mental illness characteristics

  • Reflects a person's inability to cope with stress, resulting in disruptions, disorganization, inappropriate reactions, unacceptable behavior, & the inability to respond according to the person's expectations & the demands of society
• Misconceptions about mental illness

  • Abnormal behavior is easily recognized
  • Abnormal behavior can be predicted
  • Internal forces are responsible for abnormal behaviour
  • People who show abnormal behavior are dangerous
  • Maladaptive behavior is always inherited
  • Mental illness cannot be cured