MENTAL HEALTH- CONCEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH

1. MENTAL HEALTH AND
CONCEPT OF MENTAL
HEALTH
DR. CHEWANG DOMA BHUTIA (P.E DEPT)
NAMCHI GOVT COLLEGE, SIKKIM.

2. Introduction
 According to WHO defines “Health as a state of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
 Mental Health- as stated is more than the mere lack of mental diseases.

3. Relation between Physical and Mental
Health
 Dr Brock Chisholm, the first Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO),
was a psychiatrist and shepherded the notion that mental and physical health were
intimately linked. He famously stated that “without mental health there can be no true
physical health”(Kolappa et al, 2013).
E.g. : A Poor mental health may associate with negative impact on physical health and further
chance of deteriorating health.
Or
Poor physical health may lead to development of mental illness.
PHYSICAL HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH

4. Causes of Mental illness
@Children’s Mental health Child safety Hub

5. Causes of Mental illness
 1. Biological factors
 Genetics- abnormalities in genes which is inherited or passed on.
 Infections-certain infection leading to brain damage and further worsening. Eg. Pediatric
autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDA)associated with the Streptococcus bacteria has
linked to the development of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other mental illness in
children.
 Brain defect or injury.
 Prenatal damage- disruption of fetal brain development or trauma that occurs during the birth. Eg.
Hypoxia causing illness like- autism, cerebral palsy.
 2. Psychological factors-
 Severe psychological trauma suffered during childhood like- sexual abuse, physical and emotional
abuse.
 Early loss of their parent.
 Neglected
 Low self esteem.
Source@www.webmd.com (13/04/2020).

6. Causes of Mental illness
 3. Environmental factors-
 A dysfunctional family life- death, divorce.
 low- self esteem, anxiety, anger, loneliness.
 Use of substance abuse.
 Changing jobs and schools.
 Meeting up social and cultural expectation leading to diseases like eating disorder, mood disorder,
stress etc.
Source@www.webmd.com (13/04/2020).

7. Types of Mental illness
1. Anxiety disorder- feeling nervous, worry or fear that are very strong enough to interfere with
one’s daily activities.
 Anxiety disorders include- Panic attacks, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Post- traumatic
stress disorders.
 Symptoms-
Hypervigilance, irritable, insomnia, fear, uneasiness, not able to stay calm and still, shortness of
breath, heart palpitation, numbness, dry mouth, nausea, tension muscle, sweating, dizziness.
 Causes-
combination of changes in brain ad environmental stress and even genes.
 Treatment- medication, psychotherapy.
 Managing symptoms-
Eating right, exercise, better sleep and cutting down caffeine.
Source@www.webmd.com

8. 2. Stress disorder or Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)- is mental health condition that is
triggered by a terrifying event-either experiencing it or witnessing it.
 Symptoms- flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts
about the event.
 Causes- stressful experiences, trauma, inherited.
3. Depression- characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activites
hampering day to day activities.
 Symptoms- anxiety, discontent, mood swings, sadness, loss of interest, agitation, excessive
crying, irritability, social isolation, insomnia, fatigue, restless sleep, excessive hunger or loss of
appetite, lack of concentration, thoughts of suicide.
 Causes- combination of biological, psychological and social source of distress.
 Treatment- medication, psychotherapy.

9. PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDER
 Psychosomatic disorder involves both mind and body.
“psyche”- mind
“soma”- body.
 It is a condition in which psychological stresses adversely affect physiological (somatic)
functioning to the point of distress.
 It is the condition of dysfunction or structural damage in bodily organs through inappropriate
activation of involuntary nervous system and the glands of internal secretion.
 Eg. The angry person’s blood pressure is likely to be elevated and his pulse and respiratory rate
to be increased.
 Stress may caused diseases like- cancer, diabetes, hypertension, migraine, impotence, frigidity,
dermatitis, ulcers and so on.
source@www.britannica.com (dated 14/03/2020).

10. Role of Physical Exercise to avert Psychosomatic
disorders
 Regular exercise gives am enormous sense of well-being, energetic throughout the day, sleep better at
night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive.
 Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more.
 Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of
changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote
feelings of calm and well-being.
 Exercise also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you
feel good. Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out
of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.
 When under stress muscles may be tense, especially in your face, neck, and shoulders, leaving you with back
or neck pain, or painful headaches. You may feel a tightness in your chest, a pounding pulse, or muscle
cramps. Problems such as insomnia, heartburn, stomachache, diarrhea, or frequent urination. The worry and
discomfort of all these physical symptoms can in turn lead to even more stress, creating a vicious cycle
between your mind and body. Thus, regular exercise help to break the chain.
Source @https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm

11.  Sharper memory and thinking. The same endorphins that make you feel better also help you concentrate and
feel mentally sharp for tasks at hand. Exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-
related decline.
 Higher self-esteem. Regular activity is an investment in your mind, body, and soul. When it becomes habit, it can
foster your sense of self-worth and make you feel strong and powerful. You’ll feel better about your appearance
and, by meeting even small exercise goals, you’ll feel a sense of achievement.
 Better sleep. Even short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate your sleep patterns. If you
you prefer to exercise at night, relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching can help promote sleep.
 More energy. Increasing your heart rate several times a week will give you more get-up-and-go. Start off with just
just a few minutes of exercise per day, and increase your workout as you feel more energized.
 Stronger resilience. When faced with mental or emotional challenges in life, exercise can help you cope in a
healthy way, instead of resorting to alcohol, drugs, or other negative behaviors that ultimately only make your
symptoms worse. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and reduce the impact of stress.
Source @https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm

12. THANK YOU