1. Intro
Fundamental Principle
- Deeply interconnected with physical health, social, environment and experience
- Continuum concept, not binary
- Individual Variation
- Early Intervention
Goal:
- Optimal functioning
- Reducing suffering
- Fostering relationship
- Empowerment
2. Fundation
Definition, Biopsychosocial Model, Neurochemistry
What is mental health?
- Refer to cognitive, behaviroal, emotional well-being
- How people think, feel, and act
Biopsychosocial Model: biological, psychological and social factors all play significant role in human functioning
- Genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, hormones
- Psychological factors: thought processes, emtions, behaviors,
- Social, society structure, cultrual norms, family, relationships, life events,
Neurochemistry
- Serotonin 羟色胺
- Dopamine 多巴胺, central to brain’s reward system
- Norepinephrine 去甲肾上腺素, play a role in alertness and arousal
3. Major Disorder
3.1. Hurt and Suffer Everyone would meet
Grief and Bereavement
- Normal Grief is a natural response to loss. From sadness to anger
- Prolonged grief: don’t improve after a long time. This could interfere daily functioning
Stress and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
- Normal Stress: body’s reaction to harmful situation, can be beneficial in short bursts
- Acute Stress Disorder: develop after experiencing a traumatic event.
- Symptoms: flashback, nightmare, feeling estranged
- May lead to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stree Disorder)
Adjustment Disorder: stress-related conditions
- Occur when someone can’t cope to a particular source of stress
- Symptoms: sadness, hopelessness, lack of enjoyment
3.2. Common Issue for Contemporary People
- Anxiety
- Source: constant stream of news, social comparison, pressue to keep up
- Depression
- Source: social isolation, the changing nature of work, economic pressure, reduced community
- Burnout
- Source: blurring lines between work and home, rise of remote working
- Addiction
- Source: behavioral addiction, such as internet, gaming, social media addiction
- Eating disorder: anorexia, bulimia, binge
- Source: societal beauty standards
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder: obsessive focus on perceived defects or flaws
- Source: curated online images and ability to digitally alter appeatances
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Source: information overload and constant multitasking
- Loneliness and Social Isolation
- Source: more connected digitally rather physically
- Sleep disorder
- Source: 24/7 online entertainment, increasing work demands
4. Theories
4.1. Cognitive-Behaviroal Therapy (CBT)
Key concepts:
- Automatic negative thoughts influence feelings and actions
- Identify and challenge the nagative thoughts, one can change the emotional status
- Short-term and goal-oriented
4.2. Psychonanlytic Theory
Focus on influence of the unconscious mind
Key concepts
- Id: innate desire, operate on the pleasure princple
- Ego: operate on the reality principle
- Superego: represent moral conscience
4.3. Humanistic Psychology
Emphasize individual potential, growth and self-actuallization
Key concepts
- Hierarchy of needs, Maslow
- Self-Actualization: realization or fulfillment of one’s talent
- Unconditinoal Positive Regard: therapists should provide environment of acceptance and support
4.4. Positive Psychology
Aiming to discover and promote the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive
Key concepts
- Strengths, virtus, and factors that contribute to a fulfilling life
- Study concepts like happiness, gratitude, resillience and hope
5. Prevention
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Reduce overthinking
- Enhance self-awareness
- Reduce stress
- Sleep
- Nutrition
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Exercise
- Physical activity release endorphines
- Journaling: provide an outlet for emotional expression
- Limiting stimulants and alcohol