HLTHAGE 2G03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: American Psychiatric Association, Gross National Happiness, Animal-Assisted Therapy
30 Jan 2017
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Lecture 1: introducing concepts of mental health and illness. Physical and mental health are closely related (symptoms & experience) We (cid:272)a(cid:374)(cid:374)ot tell a perso(cid:374)"s (cid:373)e(cid:374)tal health fro(cid:373) their (cid:271)od(cid:455) no test or scan: we have to rely on first person accounts and self-reports. Mental health is a part of the social world. Mental health = feelings, thoughts & capability. Constructed if someone says they do. Society says it is an absence of mental disorders. Broader social definition says it is when you can: participate in everyday life, connect with other people, enjoy and relax, handle stress, make and strive for goals. Not personal, not just biology must think of the social context too. Disorder model: diagnosis or no diagnosis, mental illnesses are considered diseases. Lists criteria to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Decides what is covered by insurance & what is considered abnormal or sick. Socially constructed document decided by a committee.
