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Unit 6

Being Psychologically Well

Definition

Psychological Well-being: Ability to respond in a positive, healthy manner to life’s challenges

How important is this aspect of health compared to the other five?

Characteristics of the Psychologically Well

Realistic perspective
Good opinion of yourself
Close network of friends
Sense of purpose
Ability to handle stress
Optimistic attitude

When there is an adverse occurrence in your life, you can still perform daily activities. There may be temporary devastation and emotional stress, but there is a confidence that you will make it through. Behaviors aren't drastically changed to cope with problems.

Characteristics of the Psychologically Unwell

Depression
Low self-esteem
Pessimistic
Poor relationships
Drug abuse

Individual uses adverse coping mechanisms to deal with problems. (IE: drug use, abusive relationships)

Keys To Psychological Wellness

Mental health (i.e., "thinking")
- How one rationalizes and perceives reality
Emotional health (i.e., "feeling")
- Being aware of feelings, and expressing it appropriately
Social health (i.e., "interacting")
- Taking others needs into consideration, having meaningful, intimate relationships
Spiritual health (i.e., "connecting")
- Creating/discovering meaning and purpose in life. Not easily measured, not necessarily found in religion

Psychosocial Health

Influences On Psychological Wellness

Internal influences
- Physical health
  - It's hard to deal with problems and stressors when an individual is ill. When in good health, there is more energy to deal with problems, and better coping mechanisms are utilized.
- Hormones (e.g., Testosterone)
  - Example: Increased testosterone levels are linked with male pattern aggression. Decrease estrogen levels are linked with mood swings in females.
- Heredity
  - It is believed that we inherit genes that may determine temperament, and thus affect our coping mechanisms
External influences
- Environmental influences
  - Family, socio-economic status, education, culture, religion
- Social influences
  - School, TV, movies, culture, church
- Maturation
  - Life experience

Explore

What are 2 influences (internal or external) that are currently impacting your level of psychological wellness?

Key Indicators Of Psychological Wellness

3 things we will look at to help determine psychological wellness

Self Concept
Attribution Styles
Locus of Control

Self Concept

Defined: one’s view of oneself - Physically, mentally, emotionally, socially
Components

Self-esteem - Developed over time

Self-Evaluation of oneself (self-regard, self-worth)

Self-efficacy
- Perceptions about your ability to act appropriately or successfully in a given situation

Influence on health
- Blueprint for how one deals with life experiences
- How does self-concept effect behavior?

Attribution Styles

Defined:
- How people explain the events in their lives
- How people account for successes and failures
Pessimistic explanatory style
- Leads one to expect the worst
Optimistic explanatory style ie: Self-fulfilling prophecy, whether you expect success or failure, you are probably right.
- Leads one to expect the best

Locus of Control

Defined: one’s belief in his or her power to bring about a certain outcome
External vs. Internal
What is the influence on behavior?
- External: May lead one to blame others, set up negative consequences
- Internal: Gives feeling of greater control over consequences
  - Individuals may fluctuate in locus of control, but probably lean one way or the other

When Psychological Problems Begin

Psychological disorders
Defined: negative mental reactions that compromise health of themselves and those around them.
Individuals may experience a decline in rational thinking, can distort "perception" of reality

Depression

Defined:
- Severe disturbance in mood
- Characterized by perceptions of hopelessness, helplessness and mental exhaustion
2 major types
- Endogenous (e.g., neurochemicals)
- Exogenous (e.g., Life events)
Treatment
- Therapy (counselor, therapist)
- Antidepressant drugs (many options, but requires professional guidance)
- Lifestyle choices (IE: avoiding maladaptive coping mechanisms such as drug and alcohol use)

Some are afraid to seek treatment, why?

Stigma

Depression: Strikes over 17 million Americans.
Less than 1/2 are treated
What makes a college more susceptible to depression, anxiety or suicide?
- Break from family, friends, hometown and old social support systems. Emotionally, socially, financially isolated. Pressure to succeed, gain acceptance, function independently.

Anxiety Disorders

Characterized by persistent feelings of fear, tension and impending doom
Types
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
  - Persistent symptoms but not tied to recognizable fear
- Phobia
  - Dread of specific objects, activities or situations
- Panic Attacks
  - Sudden, extreme anxiety reaction with rapid, disabling fits of terror

Suicide

26,000 of individuals ages 15-24 commit suicide every year. (40,000 all ages) Suicide knows no social, economic or cultural boundaries

Risk Factors

Depression
Drug abuse
Chronic pain/illness
High stress
Family history

Increased risk if direct relative is depressed before the age of 30.

Achieving Psychological Wellness

Self-help
- Books
- Friends, support groups
Professional help
- Psychiatrists (M.D.)
- Psychologist (Ph.D.)
- Social worker (M.S.W.)
- Counselor

Suggestions for Change

Practice self-talk
Ask for help if necessary
Make time for yourself
Make time for others
Plan for crisis
Move your body
Remember no one is perfect

Resources for YOU…

Oregon State University local services
- University Counseling and Psychological Services, (541) 737-2131
- Good Samaritan Mental Health, (541) 757-5235
- Benton County Mental Health, (541) 757-6844

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