Health and Social Care Unit 3

Topic 1 Concepts of Health

What is health and well-being?

Well-being refers to an individual's estimation of mood or level of happiness on a given occasion. Lay definitions how a non-professional would describe health, without using any technical jargon. The concept of health will mean different things to different people. This does not necessarily mean one definition is better than the other.

Positive, Negative + Holistic Definitions

Positive definitions refer to those in which health is defined as something that is achieved or gained. A positive concept goes a little way to describing what health is, rather than what it is not. Negative definitions the absence of physical illness, disease and mental distress. A Holistic concept of health considers the whole person rather than separate aspects of their health. It recognises that each one of the aspects of health impacts on other areas of their health.

Health and Well-being summary

Mental health refers to a POSITIVE sense of purpose and an underlying belief in one's own worth, e.g. feeling good, feeling able to cope. Physical health concerns how the BODY FUNCTIONS. This is probably the easiest aspect to measure. Emotional health concerns THE ABILITY TO RECOGNISE AND EXPRESS FEELINGS and to DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN relationships. e.g. feeling loved. Social health concerns the ABILITY TO MAKE AND MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. e.g. having friends to talk to. Spiritual health is the recognition and ability to PUT INTO PRACTICE MORAL OR RELIGIOUS principles or beliefs.

Ill-Health - Disease

Disease is the existence of some abnormality of the body which is capable of detection which means you often see the symptoms and effects of a disease. e.g. chicken pox, the cold. A disease can be DIAGNOSED & NAMED, has certain signs and symptoms, there is a possible treatment and outcome. It is possible to have a disease and for the patient NOT to feel unwell. Some diseases are well advanced before the patient becomes to feel unwell e.g. Cervical cancer.

Disease Summary

Disease is a diagnostic label given to a set of signs or symptoms Disease is a state of being, which is opposite to health Disease can result from injuries.

Ill-Health - Illness

Illness is the term given to the effects that a person feels when they have a disease. These symptoms can not always be seen by others but can be described by the person suffering. Illness tends to be a word we use ourselves to describe a situation that exists if we feel less than well, either physically or mentally. Illness is something that we feel, a sense of unwillingness that is personal to us at certain times. We can feel ill without having a disease and have a disease without feeling ill.

ACTIVITY
Three old friends are meeting for a meal, which they try and do once a month. Last month, they all cancelled due to health problems.

Joe said that he had a headache caused by the chemotherapy treatment he was receiving for throat cancer. Brain said he had developed gastroenteritis from a take away. Sam told them that his knee was 'playing up'. 1. Decide on a suitable term to use, for the three problems of ill health. 2. Explain the reason for your choice.

Description of Ill Health Joe

Reasons

Brian

Sam

Stress

Stress has been defined as the reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed upon them. It arises when they worry that they can't cope. Stress occurs when a person has to response to demands made upon him/her which can be physical or mental. It is a grind of continual stress that is so harmful to us. Stress can cause both short and long term effects. Stress can and does kill, it is important to monitor your stress levels. Stress levels can rise rapidly, without you noticing that it is happening, until your physical and mental health have deteriorated to such a point that recovery is much harder. On the other hand you may be fully aware of the reasons why you are feeling so stressed, or apathetic, yet the feeling of being trapped by the causes of your difficulties can be so strong that you become more stressed. Making it appear more difficult to do much about it.

Most people who suffer from excessive stress will not admit that they are suffering from the effects of stress or that they cannot handle the stress. Stress can affect EVERYONE. The Department of Health considers stress to be a mental health issue, and according to a survey from the Health and Safety executive, stress is the cause of 6.5 million days being taken as sick leave every year and it is INCREASING. 1 in 5 consider themselves to be very or extremely stressed. The 35-44 age group are the worst hit by stress.

Stress Related Illnesses

Migraine/headaches Muscle tension Heart attack/high blood pressure Some cancers are stress related Insomnia Ulcers Rheumatoid arthritis

Mental Health

Mental health is the state of someone's mind. Having good mental health is described as being able to think clearly and coherently and being able to cope sufficiently with pressures surrounding you. At least 1 in 5 people in Northern Ireland will experience problems that affect their mental health. Those with mental health problems often face stigma and discrimination, and fear of these can prevent them from getting help and hinder their recovery. Mental health problems are health conditions that are characterised by alterations in thinking, mood or behaviour, but mental health is more than simple the absence of problems.

1 in 5 aged between 16-35 are affected by mental health problems such as sleep disorders, stress, anxiety and behavioural problem; Women in N.I. Are on and a half times more likely than men to report having suffered from mental health problems; In 2000 there were 163 registered deaths from suicide in N.I., 130 among men and 33 women; It has been estimated that 30-40% of all sickness absence is due to some form of mental of emotional disturbance.

What is depression?

The word 'depression' is used in many different ways. Everyone can feel sad or down from time to time, but most people manage to cope and can recover without professional help. However everyday 'blues' or sadness is not depression. A person with clinical depression will feel depressed for longer periods of time (at least two weeks) and this will disrupt things in their life such as relationships or the ability to carry out their work. Clinical depression is a common but serious illness. People can recover but depression may occur another time in life.

What causes depression?

Pregnancy at child birth People with certain personality traits Illnesses or disability A sense of loss Experience of abuse/neglect/bullying Circumstance such as a stressful job If a parent or close relative has a history of depression, alcohol problems or anxiety.

5 symptoms of depression

Unusual weight loss Wishing they were dead Having difficulty with sleep Difficult making decisions Loss of confidence in themselves.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease. Everybody gets anxious when faced with a stressful situation, for example before an exam or an interview, or during a worry time such as illness. It is normal to feel anxious when you face something difficult or dangerous, and mild anxiety can be a positive and useful experience.

What causes anxiety?

Genetics Brain chemistry Environmental factors trauma, death of a loved one, abuse etc. Alcohol, caffeine and nicotine can worsen anxiety.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Dizziness Nausea No energy, feeling lethargic, tired Weight loss/gain Flu-like symptoms Pale skin Blushing Body aches