Lesson Structure: Mental Health in Adults BPS216

1  Introduction to Mental Health Issues

• Introduction
• Definition of Abnormality – Social Constructs
• Definition of Abnormality – Statistical Infrequency
• Definition of Abnormality – Failing to Function Adequately
• Labeling and Mental Health
• How this relates to mental illness
• Case Study – African Caribbean People and Schizophrenia
• More on Stigmatisation and Labelling
• Causes of Mental Illness
• Social and Environmental Factors
• Physical Factors
• Psychological Factors
• Diathesis Stress Model
• Treatments for Mental Health Problems: Medication, Psychotherapy

2  Depression and Related Conditions

• Introduction
• Psychological Symptoms
• Social symptoms
• Physical Symptoms
• Forms of Depression: Dysthymia, Unipolar Depression, Bipolar Depression
• Determining Which Type of Depression
• Triggers to Depression
• Causes of Depression
• Risk Factors for Depression
• Risk Factors for Major Depression
• Gender and Depression
• Older People and Depression
• Symptoms
• Changes Due to Ageing
• Psychological Aspects of Long Term Growth: Psychosocial Factors i.e. Family, Work, Financial, Loneliness
• Other Sub-Types of Depression: Psychotic Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Symptoms of SAD
• Diagnosis of SAD
• Post Natal Depression
• Postnatal Psychosis
• Treatments for Depression: Talking Therapies, Medication for Depression, ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), New Research On Memory, VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulation), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• Alternative Treatments
• Treatment for SAD
• Treatment for PND
• Treatment for Psychotic Depression

3  Anxiety and Related Conditions

• Introduction
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• Phobias
• Simple Phobia and Complex Phobia
• Physical Symptoms of Phobias
• PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Symptoms of PTSD
• Panic Attacks
• Symptoms of Panic Attacks
• Treatments for Anxiety
• Treatment of OCD
• Treatments for Panic Disorders
• Treatment of Phobias
• Treatment of PTSD

4 Schizophrenia

• Introduction
• Causes of Schizophrenia: Genetics, Neurotransmitters, Brain Development, Birth and Pregnancy Complications, Triggers
• Symptoms of Schizophrenia
• Positive Symptoms
• Negative Symptoms
• Diagnosing Schizophrenia
• Sub-types of Schizophrenia
• Treatment of Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs, Antidepressants and Mood Stabilisers
• Management of the Acute Syndrome

5  Personality Disorders

• Introduction
• Millon’s Subtypes
• Antisocial Personality Disorder (Psychopathy)
• Causes of Psychopathy
• Treatment of Psychopathy

6  Eating Disorders

• Introduction
• Causes of Eating Disorders
• Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
• Body Image and Self Esteem
• Physical Symptoms of Anorexia
• Two subtypes of anorexia are commonly recognised
• Treatment for Anorexia
• Bulima Nervosa (BN)
• Associated Behaviours
• Physical Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
• Recognised subtypes
• Treatment for Bulimia
• Obesity
• Psychological Complications
• Treatment for Obesity
• Other Disorders

7  Dementias

• Introduction
• Definition
• Types of Dementia: Cortical Types, Sub-cortical Types, Mixed Types
• Causes of Dementia
• Dementia and Old Age
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Sub-types, Treatment
• Vascular Dementia: Sub-types, Treatment
• Care and Management of Dementia
• The Role of Carers

8  Helping Yourself With Mental Health Issues

• Introduction
• A Holistic Approach to Mental Health
• Imbalances in the Body
• Psychological & Psychosocial Factors
• The Role of Friends and Family – Social Support Networks
• Self-Help Groups
• Self-Control Techniques

9  Support Options and Services for Mental Health Issues

• Introduction
• Counselling Approaches
• Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Psychiatrist
• Nurses and Professional Carers
• Crisis Centres
• Telephone Counselling
• Email or Online Counselling
• Group Therapy
• Problems of Group Therapy
• Complementary Therapies

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals:Mental Health in Adults BPS216

• Discuss the nature, scope and impact of mental health on adults of all ages.
• Explain the different types of depression and the impact of gender on depression.
• Explain the nature of anxiety and related conditions, and consider possible responses that may be used for these conditions.
• Explain the nature of schizophrenia and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions.
• Explain the scope and nature of antisocial personality disorders, and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions.
• Explain the scope and nature of eating disorders in adults, and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions.
• Explain the scope and nature of dementia in adults, and consider the responses that might be taken to such conditions.
• Identify a wide range of self-help options that can be facilitated for sufferers of mental health problems.
• Identify mental health services and support options available for those with mental health issues.

Diagnosing Mental Health

When a psychiatrist, doctor or psychologist assesses a person’s mental health, they will look at the symptoms they possess, then consider what condition they are suffering from.

Within the field of mental health, DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) or the ICD (International Statistical Classification of Disease) are often used.  So, if a person has the symptoms and signs of schizophrenia, the practitioner would say they have schizophrenia.

That is a very simplistic explanation of how the process works, but following testing and diagnosis, the person may be told they have schizophrenia.  When the practitioner knows they have schizophrenia, they can then determine how the person can be supported or treated.  The use of labels in this way ensures that the person receives the correct help and treatment they require.

However, labeling is not always appropriate. If a person’s condition is labelled as ‘mentally ill’ or ‘schizophrenic’ this might have adverse consequences on their self-esteem which is already likely to be fragile. The label becomes their dominant label or master status. It changes the way a person is viewed and treated which can lead to stigmatisation and discrimination.

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