Unit 3 - Mental Health Issues

Stress
Stress can be defined as any type of change that causes, physical, emotional, or psychological
strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention or action.
Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way you respond to stress, however, makes a
big difference to your overall well-being.
Developing a clear understanding of how stress impacts your physical and mental health is
important. It’s also important to recognize how your mental and physical health affects your
stress level.
Signs of Stress
Stress can be short-term or long-term. Both can lead to a variety of symptoms, but chronic stress
can take a serious toll on the body over time and have long-lasting health effects.
Some common signs of stress include:

 Changes in mood
 Clammy or sweaty palms
 Decreased sex drive
 Diarrhea
 Difficulty sleeping
 Digestive problems
 Dizziness
 Feeling anxious
 Frequent sickness
 Grinding teeth
 Headaches
 Low energy
 Muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders
 Physical aches and pains
 Racing heartbeat
 Trembling
 Psychological signs such as difficulty concentrating, worrying, anxiety, and trouble

remembering
 Emotional signs such as being angry, irritated, moody, or frustrated
 Physical signs such as high blood pressure, changes in weight, frequent colds or
infections, and changes in the menstrual cycle and libido
 Behavioral signs such as poor self-care, not having time for the things you enjoy, or
relying on drugs and alcohol to cope
Types of Stress
Not all types of stress are harmful or even negative. Some of the different types of stress that you
might experience include:
 Acute stress: Acute stress is a very short-term type of stress that can either be positive or
more distressing; this is the type of stress we most often encounter in day-to-day life.
 Chronic stress: Chronic stress is stress that seems never-ending and inescapable, like the
stress of a bad marriage or an extremely taxing job; chronic stress can also stem from
traumatic experiences and childhood trauma.
 Episodic acute stress: Episodic acute stress is acute stress that seems to run rampant and
be a way of life, creating a life of ongoing distress.
 Eustress: Eustress is fun and exciting. It’s known as a positive type of stress that can keep
you energized. It’s associated with surges of adrenaline, such as when you are skiing or
racing to meet a deadline.
Burnout
Burnout refers to the feeling of mental and physical exhaustion due to prolonged stress.
The term “burnout” was first coined by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger in 1974. Simply put,
it refers to a place of exhaustion — which can be both mental and physical — that’s the direct
result of consistent or prolonged stress.
Physical and mental exhaustion, a sense of dread about work, and frequent feelings of cynicism,
anger, or irritability are key signs of burnout. Those in helping professions (such as doctors) may
notice dwindling compassion toward those in their care. Feeling like you can no longer do your
job effectively may also signal burnout.
By definition, burnout is an extended period of stress that feels as though it cannot be
ameliorated. If stress is short-lived or tied to a specific goal, it is most likely not harmful. If the
stress feels never-ending and comes with feelings of emptiness, apathy, and hopelessness, it may
be indicative of burnout.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical
changes like increased blood pressure.
People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may
avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating,
trembling, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat.
Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a
future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an
appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific
threat.
The cause of anxiety is unknown. Factors such as genetics, brain biology and chemistry, stress,
and your environment may play a role.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

 Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).People with GAD worry about ordinary issues such
as health, money, work, and family. But their worries are excessive, and they have them
almost every day for at least 6 months.
 Panic disorder. People with panic disorder have panic attacks. These are sudden, repeated
periods of intense fear when there is no danger. The attacks come on quickly and can last
several minutes or more.
 Phobias. People with phobias have an intense fear of something that poses little or no
actual danger. Their fear may be about spiders, flying, going to crowded places, or being
in social situations (known as social anxiety).
The different types of anxiety disorders can have different symptoms. But they all have a
combination of:
 Anxious thoughts or beliefs that are hard to control. They make you feel restless and
tense and interfere with your daily life. They do not go away and can get worse over
time.
 Physical symptoms, such as a pounding or rapid heartbeat, unexplained aches and pains,
dizziness, and shortness of breath
 Changes in behavior, such as avoiding everyday activities you used to do
 Using caffeine, other substances, and certain medicines can make your symptoms worse.
Depression
Depression is a chronic feeling of emptiness, sadness, or inability to feel pleasure that may
appear to happen for no clear reason. It is distinct from grief and other emotions.
It can undermine a person’s relationships, make working and maintaining good health very
difficult, and in severe cases, may lead to suicide.
Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can trigger depression. But
depression is distinct from the negative feelings a person may temporarily have in response to a
difficult life event.
Depression often persists in spite of a change of circumstances and causes feelings that are
intense, chronic, and not proportional to a person’s circumstances.
Depression can cause a range of psychological and physical symptoms, including

 Persistent depressed mood
 Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
 Changes in appetite and body weight
 Unusually slow or agitated movements
 Decreased energy or fatigue
 Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
 Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
 Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
 Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
The medical community does not fully understand the causes of depression. There are many
possible causes, and sometimes, various factors combine to trigger symptoms.
Factors that are likely to play a role include:
 genetic features
 changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels
 environmental factors such as exposure to trauma or lack of social support
 psychological and social factors
Grief and Trauma

What is Grief?
According to Kastenbaum & Kastenbaum (1989), grief is a set of responses to a real, perceived,
and anticipated loss. These responses include physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive
components. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines grief as the anguish
experienced after a significant loss. Intense amounts of grief may cause self-neglect, disruption
of the immune system, and suicidal thoughts. It focuses on the relational dimensions and the
accompanying grief. Grief counselling emphasizes remembering the deceased, dealing with
feelings, and establishing a new relationship with the loss.
It is a powerful emotional and physical reaction to the loss of someone or something. It is
characterized by deep feelings of sadness and sorrow, and often by a powerful yearning or
longing to be with that person again. Other effects of grief include feeling numb and empty, as if
there is no meaning to anything, or being annoyed at yourself for how you are feeling compared
to how you ‘should’ be dealing with things. You might feel angry that your loved one has gone
and left you behind. Perhaps others are expecting you to be moving on and this is making you
feel worse. You may also be worried that you will never feel better, or that you will not be able
to cope.
Grief is also felt physically: you might be struggling to eat or sleep, or might feel sick in your
stomach. These feelings may come in waves, and you may be tossed from one to another. All of
these feelings are a normal part of grieving. Despite the pain, the process of grieving is an
important part of how we come to terms with loss.
What is Trauma?
Trauma refers to a serious wound, injury, or shock to the mind or body, often resulting in
psychological and behavioral disorders. According to Briere & Scott (2006), it refers to events
that are incredibly difficult and overwhelming for individuals. People experience traumatic
events in highly personal and subjective ways. In the clinical sense, individuals suffering from
trauma may develop disorders like PTSD or ASD. Symptoms include self-destructive and
impulse-control behaviors, hostility, physiological complaints, and more.
Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma. There are also various
types of trauma. Some people will develop symptoms that resolve after a few weeks, while
others will have more long-term effects.
Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. If symptoms persist and do not
decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder
called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are several types of trauma, including:
 Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.
 Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful
events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
 Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.
 Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. With this form of
trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has
experienced a traumatic event.
United Kingdom lists the following as potential causes of trauma:
 Bullying
 Harassment
 Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse
 Sexual assault
 Traffic collisions
 Childbirth
 Life threatening illnesses
 Sudden loss of a loved one
 Being attacked
 Being kidnapped
 Acts of terrorism
 Natural disasters
 War
Therapy is a first-line treatment for trauma. Ideally, an individual will work with a trauma
informed or trauma focused therapist.

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Stress

Some common signs of stress include:

 Psychological signs such as difficulty concentrating, worrying, anxiety, and trouble

There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

Depression can cause a range of psychological and physical symptoms, including

Factors that are likely to play a role include:

 changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels

 environmental factors such as exposure to trauma or lack of social support

 psychological and social factors

Grief and Trauma

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