Dimensions of Physical and Mental Health PDF

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Dimensions of Physical and Mental Health
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Introduction
The feeling of being worthless and hopeless is a characteristic of clinical depression
(Zahn et al., 2015) and can be specifically distressing, traumatic and a confusing encounter to the
family or the person involved. This essay is discussing depression concerning a 41-year-old
female, Mary who is experiencing some symptoms of depression. To accomplish this discussion,
explanations along with differences amidst mental health and mental illness will be examined
and addressed, and basic principles of mental health recovery will be discussed. Moreover, the
reports of psychological and physical health will be given together with the explanations on the
manner in which the two concepts interrelate. Also, how health professionals can best recognize
and retaliate to the health needs of individuals experiencing depression will be discussed and the
recommendations for future practice.
A sound understanding of mental health and mental illness.
Mental health can be defined as how someone feels about himself along with others and
how effective they are at handling general life demands (Galderisi, Heinz, Kastrup, Beezhold and
Sartorius, 2015). It is common for individuals to regard mental health and relate it to mental
illness. However, good mental health is altered by a scope of environmental, socioeconomic
along with cultural situations often called social determinants of health. Maintaining the
continuous levels of good mental health is not consistently accomplished, and frequently people
succumb to emotional distress as a result of everyday stressors. Those usual symptoms referred
to as mental ill-health are regularly temporal and are ordinarily responsive to support and
reassurance given to family and allies. Although those issues don't result in further psychological
trauma, problems may ensue if emotional symptoms become chronic and are left untreated.

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On the other hand, mental illness is characterized by altered states of behavior and mood
which is linked to impair functioning along with high levels of distress (Spitzer, Endicott, and
Franchi, 2018). Mental illness has types like depression disorders, eating disorders and
personality disorders. The diagnosis of these mental illnesses is typically made by mental health
practitioners by the classification system set in the International Classification of Diseases or the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Chung et al., 2015). The present
presentation of Mary indicates that her health status is of good mental health since she is
employed and works for a large company as an accounts manager, her husband is supportive and
also no smoking, drug history or alcohol. Since Mary’s mother has lived with depression for 35
years, this genetics has contributed to Mary's future growth of depression.
The Nexus/relationship between mental health and physical health.
Rarely, mental health along with physical health happens in isolation. Mental health
relates to physical fitness in the sense that poor mental health escalates the peril for chronic
physical illness (Triguero-Mas et al., 2015). For instance, depressed people are less likely to
practice healthy habits or even take their medication hence become sicker. When they become
sicker, they experience pain and impaired functioning which impacts their emotional condition.
Also, people with severe mental health conditions are at increased risk of encountering chronic
physical illnesses.
Conversely, individuals who have chronic physical conditions are also at a high peril of
developing poor mental health (Triguero-Mas et al., 2015). The lifestyle risk factors which can
reduce the risk of psychological and physical disorders include getting enough sleep, practicing a
healthy diet, building strong relationships along with exercising regularly. Although these

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strategies may be identified as easy to achieve they are more difficult for people suffering from
depression.
Although Mary is said to be physically well with no medical history, she might develop
chronic health issues in the future. Her frequent comments on feeling hopeless and worthless
along with seeing herself not managing to see another day might worsen her condition of
depression while the continued reluctance to seek medical treatment could minimize the chances
of recovering completely. The reasons for Mary not to find for medical attention are known as
she says that nothing is wrong with her and that she doesn’t want to trouble any of her family for
help.
A comprehensive understanding of personal recovery and what this means for the
person in the chosen case study.
Despite the positive outlook of recovery, it is good to note that recovery holds distinct
meanings for individuals who are engaged in the process of recovery. Recovery is diagnosed
after signs, and symptoms are stabilized, cognitive functions are restored, and the person
progresses to adhere to medication, and this is according to psychiatric view (Van Eijk,
Groothuis and Van Alfen, 2016). In the person's opinion like Mary, recovery is regarded as a
unique journey which embraces the concepts of hope, personal autonomy, active community
participation, a definite sense of self and understanding of one’s strengths and weaknesses.
Models have been proposed to help the health staff to support and understand the
personal recovery process of a patient (De Vecchi, Kenny, and Kidd, 2015). The proposed model
summarizes six fundamentals of recovery-oriented concerning mental health practice. If this
model were to be utilized in Mary's treatment, she would be recognized by her individuality and

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uniqueness empowering her to be at the center of the attention she receives. Also, the ability to
make real choices in that Mary should be supported to improve on her strengths and take as
much responsibility for her life.
The third principle is the attitude and rights where Mary’s family should instill hope in
her future and ability to live a significant life. Furthermore, the standard of dignity and respect
should be considered that entails sensitivity and respect for her values. Partnership along with
communication principle will require acknowledging Mary as an expert of her life and that
recovery involves working in partnership with her along with her carer to provide support (De
Vecchi, Kenny, and Kidd, 2015). Finally, evaluation recovery principle will ensure and enable
Mary's regular recovery assessment.
Recognizing and responding to the mental health needs of the identified person
It is vital for health practitioners to detect the signs and symptoms of depression first
which include difficulty sleeping and always awake staring at something to be able to retaliate to
the needs of persons encountering clinical depression (Walker and McAndrew, 2015). The best
way to determine if someone is facing depression is by investigating if her general functioning or
the ability to do everyday duties have declined in a specific duration of time. For a person like
Mary whose is experiencing depression, a mental health professional should conduct a
background investigation to seek for information from her and her family, perform a mental
health and suicide risk assessment as she frequently comments on not knowing whether she
would see the next day. If the results prove concerning, the mental health professional should
issue a request for a psychiatric assessment (Walker and McAndrew, 2015).

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Over the period, the mental health professional would also observe physical cues of
depression and try to pinpoint some triggers which may escalate anxiety. In the case of Mary, the
triggers may be a personality that is the genes inherited and also family history. The mental
health professional may encourage Mary to compare her thoughts of not needing help to those of
others. This strategy will help Mary not to feel worthless and hopeless hence minimizing the
levels of depression (Walker and McAndrew, 2015).
When medication is finally sought a mental health professional might collaborate with
colleagues to help in the phase of recovery monitoring. Since Mary's family is very much
concerned, they will assist in overseeing the recovery process. The family would be provided
with details concerning depression and also the depression episode be reassured and validated.
Moreover, relevant support connections will be presented to the family members and be
encouraged to seek such services if needed (Hynan et al., 2015).
What does the literature tell you about the best treatments for someone with these
symptoms?
The best treatments for depression include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy
along with other somatic therapies (Cuijpers et al., 2014). Prescription of antidepressants and
psychotherapy services can be provided by a medical psychiatrist. The three types of therapy
include interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy of which
some teach practical approaches on how to correct negative thinking and deploy behavioral skills
in confronting depression. Moreover, therapy assists one work over the depression source
helping her comprehend the reason she experiences particular feelings, what the causes are for
depression and what she can do to live in good condition.

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Lifestyle changes are an essential part of the treatment of depression. Regular exercise
can be useful in treating depression as it causes the development of new brain cells along with
networks (Hearing et al., 2016). Sticking to the treatment plan is effective in reducing depression
via attending psychotherapy sessions and not skipping medications. In the case of Mary, she was
diagnosed with clinical depression two years earlier that is when she was 39 years and then she
started taking Citalopram antidepressant for some time but stopped when she thought it was no
longer required, and this might have increased the risk of the symptoms. Also, sleep has a
definite mood on depression, and if one does not get adequate sleep, the symptoms of depression
get worse hence there is need to get enough sleep to decrease the depression levels (Meerlo,
Havekes, and Steiger, 2015).
What are the implications for the practice of health professionals (when working with
someone with this illness?)
There exist several factors which are involved in detecting and responding to depression
as well as barriers. Although stress which is an effect of depression presents in every
demographic region, the concern is more so heightened for those people who are reluctant in
seeking medical attention. Ways in which mental health professionals could reduce the side
effects associated with depression is by screening along with creating education workshops that
foster alertness of psychological disorders in general (Siu et al., 2016). These workshops may
improve the capability of individuals identifying early signs of mental health and retaliate
quickly when the presentations emerge. Moreover, training for mental health professionals
would be essential in providing care to depressed persons (Lal and Adair, 2014).
Conclusion

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Encountering depression is frightening and challenging for Mary and her family.
Although the underlying cause of her depression is not apparent, it may be assumed that since
her mother has had the condition, it may be as a result of genetics and biology. Also, the
reluctance of Mary to seek treatment may worsen her situation although she is considered
physically well and without medical history hence reducing the chances for recovery. It has been
noted that mental health practitioners should detect early warning signs and also conduct some
assessments to respond to the condition and employ some strategies like education and training
to minimize their risk.

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