Concept of mental health

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1. Concept of Mental Health and Mental illness DEBR’s DEBR's

2. Introduction Definition of mental Health Meninger defined mental health as … the adjustment of human being to the world & to each other with the maximum of effectiveness and happiness. The chief characteristic of mental health is the adjustment. The American psychiatric association (APA) (2003) defines mental health as … the successful performance of mental functions shown by productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other People, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity . DEBR's

3. MENTAL ILLNESS: In the DSM-IV (American psychiatric association 2000), A mental disorder should be a manifestation of behavioural , psychological and / or biological dysfunction in that person. So, psychiatric disorder is defined as clinically significant psychological or behavioural syndrome that causes significant distress, disability or loss of freedom and socially deviant behaviour to a stressful life event. DEBR's

4. Psychiatric disorder is defined as a disturbance of (i) cognition (though) or (ii) conation (action) or (iii) affect on any disequilibrium between the three. - Niraj Ahuja (1994 ) DEBR's

5. CONCEPT OF NORMALITY & ABNORMALITY The term ‘normal’ seems to be derived from the word “norma” which means a “carpenter” square or rule. A norm therefore became a rule, pattern or standard.   The term “abnormal” with its prefix “ab” (away from) thus came to signify the deviance or variation from the normal. DEBR's

6. Concept of mental health DEBR's

7. Based on Criteria A) Six Indicators for Mental health B) Normality and abnormality criteria DEBR's

8. Maria Jahoda (1958) has identified a list of 6 indicators that she suggests are a reflection of mental health.  A Positive attitude towards self. Growth, Development and the ability to achieve self-actualization (according to age). Integration. Autonomy. Perception of Reality. Environmental mastery. DEBR's

9. 1. A positive attitude towards self: This includes an objective view of self, including knowledge and acceptance of strengths and limitations. The individual feels a strong sense of personal identity and security within the environment. 2. Growth, development and the ability for self-actualization: This indicator correlates whether the individual successfully achieves the tasks associated with each level of development. 3. Integration: Integration includes the ability to adaptively respond to the environment and the development of a philosophy of life, both of which help the individual maintain anxiety at a manageable level in response to stressful situations. DEBR's

10. 4. Autonomy: Refers to the individual’s ability to perform in an independent self-directed manner; the individual makes choices and accepts responsibility for the outcomes. 5. Perception of reality: This includes perception of the environment without distortion as well as the capacity for empathy and social sensitivity, a respect and concern for the wants and needs of others. 6. Environmental mastery: This indicator suggests that the individual has achieved a satisfactory role within the group, society and environment. He is able to love and accept the love of others. DEBR's

11. Normality and abnormality criteria DEBR's

12. Statistical Criteria: According to this criterion, ‘average’ is normal. A person is abnormal when he or she deviates from the ‘average’. E.g.: Average height & weight DEBR's

13. Non-Statistical Criteria Ethical (or) moral criteria: For being taken as normal, the behaviour should be appropriate and desirable from the view point or ethics or normality. Criteria for social conformity: Those who conform to societal norms are considered normal and those who do not care for them are labeled abnormal. DEBR's

14. Criterion of ideal or perfection: Normal behaviour is equated with perfect or ideal behaviour. Others called Abnormal behaviour. Legal Criterion: A law abiding citizen is normal but the one who violates the law is labeled abnormal. DEBR's

15. Explanatory Criterion: Pathological criterion (medical) Psychological criterion Adjustment criterion DEBR's

16. Pathological or Medical Criterion: It is based upon a behaviour depends functioning of the nervous system. In this way all abnormal people are affected with some mental illness or disease. DEBR's

17. Psychological criterion: Psychological functioning, whether defective or normal – is deciding factor of abnormal / normal behaviour  Higher mental functioning – According to environment. DEBR's

18. Adjustment Criterion: A person is said to be normal or abnormal to extent he feels adjusted or maladjusted with his self and his environment. The normal people always integrate or adjust their needs, motive, interest and other cognitive aspects with those but abnormal people not integrated. DEBR's

19. Based on Models 1. Medical models 2. Statistical model 3. Utopian model 4. Subjective model 5. Social model 6. Process model 7. Continuum model DEBR's

20. Medical Model: Normal mental health is conceptualized as absence of disease or psycho pathology Statistical Model: Statistically normal mental health falls within 2 standard deviation (SDs) of the normal distribution curve DEBR's

21. Utopian Model: In this model, the focus in defining normality is on “Optimal Functioning”. Subjective Model: (Individual) Here, says that absence disability or distress or help – seeking behaviour thereof (i.e.) individual not affected by any disturbance through a causes. DEBR's

22. Social Model: Normalcy believes that normal person is expected to behave in a socially permissive behaviour.   Process Model: Normalcy as a dynamic and changing process rather than as a static concept. Along with this combined with any other model mentioned here. DEBR's

23. Continuum Model: Normality and abnormality as falling at the two ends of a continuum, rather than being disparate entities. DEBR's

24. Based on Characteristics Characteristics of mentally healthy individual: Has ability to make adjustment. He solves his problems. Decision making Has sense of personal worth Has a philosophy of living. Develop a capacity to tolerate frustrations. Shows emotional maturity. Enjoyment of play, leisure and spare time activities. Finds satisfaction He feels secure in a group The person has a variety of interests and generally lives a well-balanced life of work, rest and recreation. DEBR's

25. Characteristics of mental illness Abnormal means ‘away from the normal’. The terms used in abnormality will include; Abnormal as deviation from societal norms. Abnormal as mal adaptive. Abnormal behaviour. maladaptive behaviour. Emotional disturbance. Behavioural problems . DEBR's