BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Disorders
Key Terms:
Cultural syndrome – a cluster or group of co-occurring symptoms found in a specific cultural
group, community, or context
DSM-5 – abbreviation for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 th edition;
provides revised diagnostic criteria for mental disorders
Epidemiology – the study of patterns of disease distribution and determinants of health within
populations; contributes to the overall understanding of the mental health status of population
groups or aggregates and associates factors
Incidence – a rate that includes only new cases that have occurred within a clearly defined time
period
Label avoidance – type of stigma that occurs when an individual avoids treatment or care in
order not to be labeled as being mentally ill
Mental disorders – health conditions characterized by alteration in thinking, mood, or behavior;
they are associated with distress or impaired functioning
Mental health – the emotional and psychological well-being of an individual who has the
capacity to interact with others, deal with ordinary stress, and perceive one’s surroundings
realistically
Point prevalence – prevalence measured at a specific point in time or over an interval of time
Prevalence – statistical concept referring to the number of cases of a certain mental illness
present in a particular population at a specific time
Public stigma – type of stigma that occurs after individuals are publicly “marked” as being
mentally ill
Rate – a measure, quantity, or frequency; a standard value according to a particular scale
Self-stigma – type of stigma that occurs when negative stereotypes are internalized by people
with mental illness
Social change – the structural and cultural evolution of society
Syndrome – a set of symptoms that cluster together that may have multiple causes and may
represent several different disease states that have not yet been defined
Psychiatric nursing: branch of nursing that is concerned with the prevention and cure of mental
disorders
Mental Health
Emotional and psychological balance in the pursuit of wellness and quality of life
o Important part of overall health
,BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
o Must be “mentally healthy” to be considered “healthy”
o It is possible to be mentally health and still have a chronic mental disorder
** a person is considered mentally healthy if that person manages to deal with the demands
made upon them by society in a way that I compatible with society and themselves**
Interpersonal relationships: how you deal with yourself
Mentally healthy person’s interpersonal relationship with themselves reflects the status
of their mental health
Mental Disorders
Conditions involving altered thinking, mood, or behavior
o Have to do with a chemical imbalance in the brain
o Association with distress and impaired functioning
o A mental illness or mental disorder is a syndrome
A mentally healthy person is realistic (optimistic)
A mentally ill person is unrealistic (pessimistic)
** when a person with mental illness is under any kind of stress more prone to harm
themselves and/or others **
Is the following statement true or false?
To be considered healthy, a person also must be mentally healthy.
True.
A person cannot be healthy without being mentally healthy.
Mental Health Wellness
Defined as:
o Purposeful process of individual growth
o Integration of experience
o Meaningful connections with others, reflecting personally valued goals and living
values
Wellness: checking your mental health from time to time especially during stressful events in
life and sometimes seeking out help from others (support system)
Factors that prevent achievement of wellness:
Poverty, unemployment, underemployment
Trauma (loss of a loved one divorce, abuse, experiencing something traumatic)
Lack of education
,BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Wellness involves having:
o Purpose in life
o Being actively involved in satisfying work and play
o Having joyful relationships
o Having a healthy body and living environment
o Being happy
Disorders of mood:
- personality disorders
- anxiety disorders
- cognitive impairment disorders
Epidemiology
Epidemiology: the study of patterns of a disease distribution and determinants of health within
populations or aggregated and associated factors
o Examination of associations among possible factors related to an area of investigation,
not causes of a disorder
Epidemiological terms:
Rate: cases in population/total cases and nonaccess
Prevalence: total number with disorder in a population at a specified time (t)
Point prevalence: cases at specified time (t) / population at specified time (t)
Incidence: rate including only new cases occurring within defined time period (usually 1
year)
Public Stigma
One of the major problems for people with mental disorders along with their families is
stigmas
Stigmas: stereotypes leading to prejudice and discrimination
o Examples: “dangerous”, “unpredictable”, “unable to function independently”, “weak”,
“immoral”
o Negative images portrayed in media and films
o Self-stigma
o Label avoidance: type of stigma that occurs when an individual avoids treatment or care
in order not to be labeled as being mentally ill
**mental disorders do not define people**
, BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Which term is used to describe the number of cases of depression in a population that is
occurring out of the entire population?
A. Rate
B. Prevalence
C. Point prevalence
D. Incidence
Rate refers to the number of cases in a population divided by the total number in the
population (cases and nonaccess). Prevalence refers to the number of persons with the
disorder in a population at a specified time. Point prevalence refers to the number of cases
at a specified time out of the population at that time. Incidence refers to the rate of only
new cases occurring during a specific time period.
Diagnostic Classification
Criteria for diagnosis:
o DSM 5
Contains subtypes to clarify disorders
No absolute boundaries
No accounting for disorders influenced by cultural factors
o Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
Culture-bound Syndromes: some disorders are influenced by cultural factors and others are
considered cultural syndromes that represent a specific pattern of symptoms that occur within
a specific cultural group or community
Recovery from Mental Illness
Process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a
self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential
o Treatment is based on the belief that mental illness and emotional disturbances
are treatable, and recovery is an expectation
** recovery is the single most important goal for those with mental disorders **
4 dimensions that support recovery:
Health: managing disease and living in a physically and emotionally healthy
way
Home: a safe and stable place to live
Purpose: meaningful daily activities and independence, resources, and
income
Community: relationships and social networks
Chapter 1: Mental Health and Mental Disorders
Key Terms:
Cultural syndrome – a cluster or group of co-occurring symptoms found in a specific cultural
group, community, or context
DSM-5 – abbreviation for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 th edition;
provides revised diagnostic criteria for mental disorders
Epidemiology – the study of patterns of disease distribution and determinants of health within
populations; contributes to the overall understanding of the mental health status of population
groups or aggregates and associates factors
Incidence – a rate that includes only new cases that have occurred within a clearly defined time
period
Label avoidance – type of stigma that occurs when an individual avoids treatment or care in
order not to be labeled as being mentally ill
Mental disorders – health conditions characterized by alteration in thinking, mood, or behavior;
they are associated with distress or impaired functioning
Mental health – the emotional and psychological well-being of an individual who has the
capacity to interact with others, deal with ordinary stress, and perceive one’s surroundings
realistically
Point prevalence – prevalence measured at a specific point in time or over an interval of time
Prevalence – statistical concept referring to the number of cases of a certain mental illness
present in a particular population at a specific time
Public stigma – type of stigma that occurs after individuals are publicly “marked” as being
mentally ill
Rate – a measure, quantity, or frequency; a standard value according to a particular scale
Self-stigma – type of stigma that occurs when negative stereotypes are internalized by people
with mental illness
Social change – the structural and cultural evolution of society
Syndrome – a set of symptoms that cluster together that may have multiple causes and may
represent several different disease states that have not yet been defined
Psychiatric nursing: branch of nursing that is concerned with the prevention and cure of mental
disorders
Mental Health
Emotional and psychological balance in the pursuit of wellness and quality of life
o Important part of overall health
,BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
o Must be “mentally healthy” to be considered “healthy”
o It is possible to be mentally health and still have a chronic mental disorder
** a person is considered mentally healthy if that person manages to deal with the demands
made upon them by society in a way that I compatible with society and themselves**
Interpersonal relationships: how you deal with yourself
Mentally healthy person’s interpersonal relationship with themselves reflects the status
of their mental health
Mental Disorders
Conditions involving altered thinking, mood, or behavior
o Have to do with a chemical imbalance in the brain
o Association with distress and impaired functioning
o A mental illness or mental disorder is a syndrome
A mentally healthy person is realistic (optimistic)
A mentally ill person is unrealistic (pessimistic)
** when a person with mental illness is under any kind of stress more prone to harm
themselves and/or others **
Is the following statement true or false?
To be considered healthy, a person also must be mentally healthy.
True.
A person cannot be healthy without being mentally healthy.
Mental Health Wellness
Defined as:
o Purposeful process of individual growth
o Integration of experience
o Meaningful connections with others, reflecting personally valued goals and living
values
Wellness: checking your mental health from time to time especially during stressful events in
life and sometimes seeking out help from others (support system)
Factors that prevent achievement of wellness:
Poverty, unemployment, underemployment
Trauma (loss of a loved one divorce, abuse, experiencing something traumatic)
Lack of education
,BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Wellness involves having:
o Purpose in life
o Being actively involved in satisfying work and play
o Having joyful relationships
o Having a healthy body and living environment
o Being happy
Disorders of mood:
- personality disorders
- anxiety disorders
- cognitive impairment disorders
Epidemiology
Epidemiology: the study of patterns of a disease distribution and determinants of health within
populations or aggregated and associated factors
o Examination of associations among possible factors related to an area of investigation,
not causes of a disorder
Epidemiological terms:
Rate: cases in population/total cases and nonaccess
Prevalence: total number with disorder in a population at a specified time (t)
Point prevalence: cases at specified time (t) / population at specified time (t)
Incidence: rate including only new cases occurring within defined time period (usually 1
year)
Public Stigma
One of the major problems for people with mental disorders along with their families is
stigmas
Stigmas: stereotypes leading to prejudice and discrimination
o Examples: “dangerous”, “unpredictable”, “unable to function independently”, “weak”,
“immoral”
o Negative images portrayed in media and films
o Self-stigma
o Label avoidance: type of stigma that occurs when an individual avoids treatment or care
in order not to be labeled as being mentally ill
**mental disorders do not define people**
, BEHAVIORAL EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
Which term is used to describe the number of cases of depression in a population that is
occurring out of the entire population?
A. Rate
B. Prevalence
C. Point prevalence
D. Incidence
Rate refers to the number of cases in a population divided by the total number in the
population (cases and nonaccess). Prevalence refers to the number of persons with the
disorder in a population at a specified time. Point prevalence refers to the number of cases
at a specified time out of the population at that time. Incidence refers to the rate of only
new cases occurring during a specific time period.
Diagnostic Classification
Criteria for diagnosis:
o DSM 5
Contains subtypes to clarify disorders
No absolute boundaries
No accounting for disorders influenced by cultural factors
o Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0
Culture-bound Syndromes: some disorders are influenced by cultural factors and others are
considered cultural syndromes that represent a specific pattern of symptoms that occur within
a specific cultural group or community
Recovery from Mental Illness
Process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a
self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential
o Treatment is based on the belief that mental illness and emotional disturbances
are treatable, and recovery is an expectation
** recovery is the single most important goal for those with mental disorders **
4 dimensions that support recovery:
Health: managing disease and living in a physically and emotionally healthy
way
Home: a safe and stable place to live
Purpose: meaningful daily activities and independence, resources, and
income
Community: relationships and social networks
