Transcript Psychological Health

Psychological Health
A Brief Overview
Positive Psychological Traits
Self-actualization- fulfilling human
potential to the fullest
 Realism- ability to accept what can and
cannot be changed
 Self-esteem- satisfaction and confidence
in self
 Authenticity- being genuine
 Capacity for Intimacy- ability to share and
express feelings with others

Psychological Challenges
 Achieving
Healthy Self-Esteem
 Being Less Defensive
 Avoiding Cognitive Distortion
 Being Optimistic
 Dealing with Loneliness
 Dealing with Anger
Mental Illness Facts
 Mental
illness are biologically based
brain disorders.
 Mental illnesses are not related to a
person’s character or intelligence.
 About one in 17 Americans have
some form of serious mental illness
 Mental illness affects 1 in 5 families
 The cost of untreated mental
illnesses in the US is more than $100
billion a year!
Psychological Disorders
(Anxiety Related)
Anxiety – a feeling of fear that is not
directed toward any definite threat
 Simple or Specific Phobia – a persistent
fear of a specific thing, activity, or
situation
 Social Phobia – fear of humiliation or
embarrassment in front of others
 Panic Disorder – a syndrome of severe
anxiety attacks accompanied by physical
symptoms
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder –
characterized by excessive worry about all
kinds of things

Psychological Disorders,
(Anxiety) con’t.
 Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder –
uncontrollable, recurring thoughts
and performing of senseless rituals
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder –
reliving traumatic events through
dreams, flashbacks, and
hallucinations
Mood Disorders
Seasonal affective disorder –
characterized by seasonal depression
 Mania – excessive elation, irritability,
talkativeness, inflated self-esteem
 Bipolar – a mental illness characterized by
alternating periods of depression and
mania
 Schizophrenia – a mental illness involving
a disturbance in thinking and in perceiving
reality

Depression
 Depression
is the most common
psychological disorder and the
leading cause of suicide
 One in three students experience
prolonged periods of depression
 One in four have suicidal thoughts
 Over a lifetime, about 20% of
females and 12% of males
experience serious depression
Warning Signs of Serious
Depression
Finding little or no pleasure in life
 Feeling worthless or extremely guilty
 Crying a lot for no particular reason
 Withdrawing from other people
 Having very low energy or too much
energy
 Having trouble concentrating
 Feeling easily irritated or angry

Source: The Jed Foundation
Treatment for Depression
 Critical
to recognize and seek
professional help first and foremost
 Drug therapy – (Prozac – most
common drug approved for use with
children and teens)
 Cognitive-behavior therapy
 Most effective treatment combines
both!!!
Leading Causes of Death Among
15-25 Year Olds
1st:Accidental Death –
primarily motor vehicle
accidents
2nd:Homicide – primarily
involving firearms
rd
3 :Suicide – primary means
involves firearms
Suicide Scary Stats
Suicide is actually the second leading
cause of death among college students.
 Suicide attempts pose the greatest lifethreatening danger for college women.
 The rate of suicide among young males
has tripled since 1970.
 There are almost 1,100 suicides projected
to occur on campuses this year.
 Among college students, 7.5 of every
100,000 students take their own lives.

Scary Stats, con’t.
 Four
out of five young adults
who attempt suicide have given
clear warnings.
 One in 12 US college students
makes a suicide plan.
 Every hour and 45 minutes
another young person commits
suicide.
Suicide Alert List
P – Plan
L – Lethality
A – Availability
I – Illness
D - Depression
P – Previous
Attempts
A – Alone
L – Loss
S – Substance
Abuse
More Suicide Facts
 More
females than males attempt
suicide but more males are
successful.
 Most people who have committed
suicide have talked about it to
someone!
 Talking with someone about suicide
does not cause suicide!
 Suicide is a permanent solution to a
temporary problem!
Resources and Help
 UWG
offers FREE counseling and
psychological services through the
Student Development/Counseling
Center
 National hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
 Depression-screening:
www.depression-screening.org
 Freedom from fear:
www.freedomfromfear.com
Website Resources, con’t.
 No
Stigma: www.nostigma.org
 The Jed Foundation:
www.jedfoundation.org
 National Mental Health Assoc.:
www.nmha.org
 American Foundation for Suicide
Prevention: www.afsp.org