What traits and behaviors constitute mental health?

[Guest guest]

This is the first time I've seen an actual list describing the characteristics

of " mental health " .

I think its mostly pretty good, although it seems to me that it is biased in

favor of " extravert " behaviors. I personally think a person can be on the

" introverted " side and still be mentally healthy. I think temperament and

personality traits can fall somewhere within a range or a continuum between the

extremes of " all " or " nothing " , and still be healthy. Its the *extreme* ends of

the " Bell Curve " of whatever one is measuring that seem unhealthy to me.

For example, the temperament trait of high sensitivity/low resilience vs low

sensitivity/high resilience. It would appear that at one extreme end of the

curve, the hyper-sensitive, " emotionally skinless " individuals with little

resilience are the ones who wind up with borderline pd, and the other extreme

end, the hyper-insensitive ones with high resilience who do not respond to

negative consequences / punishment at all are the ones who turn out to be

psychopaths. Both extremes are unhealthy and abnormal.

But overall, I tend to agree with this list.

It was part of an article in " The American Psychologist " from Feb 2010, written

by researcher Schedler. The article is mainly about his research that

shows the efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Definition of Mental Health: Items From the Shedler–

Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP–200; Shedler

& Westen, 2007)

Is able to use his/her talents, abilities, and energy

effectively and productively.

Enjoys challenges; takes pleasure in accomplishing things.

Is capable of sustaining a meaningful love relationship

characterized by genuine intimacy and caring.

Finds meaning in belonging and contributing to a larger

community (e.g., organization, church, neighborhood).

Is able to find meaning and fulfillment in guiding,

mentoring, or nurturing others.

Is empathic; is sensitive and responsive to other people's

needs and feelings.

Is able to assert him/herself effectively and appropriately

when necessary.

Appreciates and responds to humor.

Is capable of hearing information that is emotionally

threatening (i.e., that challenges cherished beliefs,

perceptions, and self-perceptions) and can use and

benefit from it.

Appears to have come to terms with painful experiences

from the past; has found meaning in and grown from

such experiences.

Is articulate; can express self well in words.

Has an active and satisfying sex life.

Appears comfortable and at ease in social situations.

Generally finds contentment and happiness in life's

activities.

Tends to express affect appropriate in quality and

intensity to the situation at hand.

Has the capacity to recognize alternative viewpoints,

even in matters that stir up strong feelings.

Has moral and ethical standards and strives to live up to

them.

Is creative; is able to see things or approach problems in

novel ways.

Tends to be conscientious and responsible.

Tends to be energetic and outgoing.

Is psychologically insightful; is able to understand self and

others in subtle and sophisticated ways.

Is able to find meaning and satisfaction in the pursuit of

long-term goals and ambitions.

Is able to form close and lasting friendships characterized

by mutual support and sharing of experiences.

*****

I wish that there could be " emotional hygiene " classes for kids of all ages

whose goal would be to foster and encourage and teach kids how to develop these

characteristics of mental health (in age-appropriate stages and levels of

understanding, of course.)

-Annie

[Guest guest]

This is awesome, this is what I have been looking for. Thank you. I only

score low on a couple. PS Us extroverts are psychological perfection -

doesn't everyone know that's the only option? Ha ha kidding!

On Tue, Mar 22, 2011 at 4:11 PM, anuria67854 wrote:

>

>

> This is the first time I've seen an actual list describing the

> characteristics of " mental health " .

>

> I think its mostly pretty good, although it seems to me that it is biased

> in favor of " extravert " behaviors. I personally think a person can be on the

> " introverted " side and still be mentally healthy. I think temperament and

> personality traits can fall somewhere within a range or a continuum between

> the extremes of " all " or " nothing " , and still be healthy. Its the *extreme*

> ends of the " Bell Curve " of whatever one is measuring that seem unhealthy to

> me.

>

> For example, the temperament trait of high sensitivity/low resilience vs

> low sensitivity/high resilience. It would appear that at one extreme end of

> the curve, the hyper-sensitive, " emotionally skinless " individuals with

> little resilience are the ones who wind up with borderline pd, and the other

> extreme end, the hyper-insensitive ones with high resilience who do not

> respond to negative consequences / punishment at all are the ones who turn

> out to be psychopaths. Both extremes are unhealthy and abnormal.

>

> But overall, I tend to agree with this list.

>

> It was part of an article in " The American Psychologist " from Feb 2010,

> written by researcher Schedler. The article is mainly about his

> research that shows the efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy.

>

> Definition of Mental Health: Items From the Shedler–

> Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP–200; Shedler

> & Westen, 2007)

>

> Is able to use his/her talents, abilities, and energy

> effectively and productively.

>

> Enjoys challenges; takes pleasure in accomplishing things.

>

> Is capable of sustaining a meaningful love relationship

> characterized by genuine intimacy and caring.

>

> Finds meaning in belonging and contributing to a larger

> community (e.g., organization, church, neighborhood).

>

> Is able to find meaning and fulfillment in guiding,

> mentoring, or nurturing others.

>

> Is empathic; is sensitive and responsive to other people's

> needs and feelings.

>

> Is able to assert him/herself effectively and appropriately

> when necessary.

>

> Appreciates and responds to humor.

>

> Is capable of hearing information that is emotionally

> threatening (i.e., that challenges cherished beliefs,

> perceptions, and self-perceptions) and can use and

> benefit from it.

>

> Appears to have come to terms with painful experiences

> from the past; has found meaning in and grown from

> such experiences.

>

> Is articulate; can express self well in words.

>

> Has an active and satisfying sex life.

>

> Appears comfortable and at ease in social situations.

>

> Generally finds contentment and happiness in life's

> activities.

>

> Tends to express affect appropriate in quality and

> intensity to the situation at hand.

>

> Has the capacity to recognize alternative viewpoints,

> even in matters that stir up strong feelings.

>

> Has moral and ethical standards and strives to live up to

> them.

>

> Is creative; is able to see things or approach problems in

> novel ways.

>

> Tends to be conscientious and responsible.

>

> Tends to be energetic and outgoing.

>

> Is psychologically insightful; is able to understand self and

> others in subtle and sophisticated ways.

>

> Is able to find meaning and satisfaction in the pursuit of

> long-term goals and ambitions.

>

> Is able to form close and lasting friendships characterized

> by mutual support and sharing of experiences.

> *****

>

> I wish that there could be " emotional hygiene " classes for kids of all ages

> whose goal would be to foster and encourage and teach kids how to develop

> these characteristics of mental health (in age-appropriate stages and levels

> of understanding, of course.)

>

> -Annie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That's a fantastic list! Thanks for sharing!! I'm really not crazy! LOL

[Guest guest]

" I wish that there could be " emotional hygiene " classes for kids of all ages

whose goal would be to foster and encourage and teach kids how to develop these

characteristics of mental health (in age-appropriate stages and levels of

understanding, of course.) "

Amen! I think it's necessary.

Also, I agree with you that someone can be introverted and still be mentally

healthy. I was put off a bit by that listing, " Tends to be energetic and

outgoing. "

Maybe the " tends to " means that it's not the rule?

[Guest guest]

As a somewhat introverted person myself, I tend to be energetic and

outgoing...in the right circumstances, like a trusted group of friends.

Extroverted people tend to be energetic and outgoing in all groups.

I think the idea is that the introversion shouldn't be extreme, where one

avoids all social gatherings.

>

>

> " I wish that there could be " emotional hygiene " classes for kids of all

> ages whose goal would be to foster and encourage and teach kids how to

> develop these characteristics of mental health (in age-appropriate stages

> and levels of understanding, of course.) "

>

> Amen! I think it's necessary.

>

> Also, I agree with you that someone can be introverted and still be

> mentally healthy. I was put off a bit by that listing, " Tends to be

> energetic and outgoing. "

>

> Maybe the " tends to " means that it's not the rule?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think you're right, the list of mentally healthy traits and behaviors seemed

to favor extravert traits and the list-maker was kind of back-peddling so as to

not totally condemn introversion with his " tend to " qualification.

Hey, its us more introverted types (go " nerds " !) who do a lot of the creative

thinking/problem-solving and the actual work while the extraverts are just out

partying.

There is room in the healthy middle part of the spectrum for a range of

introversion/extraversion traits & behaviors, sez I. I see it as being all

about balance and moderation as opposed to extremes.

-Annie

>

> " I wish that there could be " emotional hygiene " classes for kids of all ages

whose goal would be to foster and encourage and teach kids how to develop these

characteristics of mental health (in age-appropriate stages and levels of

understanding, of course.) "

>

> Amen! I think it's necessary.

>

> Also, I agree with you that someone can be introverted and still be mentally

healthy. I was put off a bit by that listing, " Tends to be energetic and

outgoing. "

>

> Maybe the " tends to " means that it's not the rule?

>

[Guest guest]

Whaaaaat?????

Did someone say something?

I was out partying!

Ha ha ha

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 10:16 AM, anuria67854 wrote:

>

>

> I think you're right, the list of mentally healthy traits and behaviors

> seemed to favor extravert traits and the list-maker was kind of

> back-peddling so as to not totally condemn introversion with his " tend to "

> qualification.

>

> Hey, its us more introverted types (go " nerds " !) who do a lot of the

> creative thinking/problem-solving and the actual work while the extraverts

> are just out partying.

>

> There is room in the healthy middle part of the spectrum for a range of

> introversion/extraversion traits & behaviors, sez I. I see it as being all

> about balance and moderation as opposed to extremes.

>

> -Annie

>

>

>

> >

> > " I wish that there could be " emotional hygiene " classes for kids of all

> ages whose goal would be to foster and encourage and teach kids how to

> develop these characteristics of mental health (in age-appropriate stages

> and levels of understanding, of course.) "

> >

> > Amen! I think it's necessary.

> >

> > Also, I agree with you that someone can be introverted and still be

> mentally healthy. I was put off a bit by that listing, " Tends to be

> energetic and outgoing. "

> >

> > Maybe the " tends to " means that it's not the rule?

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, GS, lol! You know you're in the normal range! And like someone else here

mentioned, I too vary in how extraverted or introverted I am feeling depending

on the circumstances. I became less introverted by getting into costuming; I

joined a costuming group! If I'm being a " character " , then, I'm not " me " : I'm

playing a role, and if that character is extraverted, then, that's how I act. I

find it very freeing and fun to play character roles in costume!

-Annie

>

> Whaaaaat?????

>

> Did someone say something?

>

> I was out partying!

>

> Ha ha ha

[Guest guest]

What kind of costumes do you like? My favorite thing is probably costumes.

I'm into historical ones, victorian, empire (Napoleon) and rococo.

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 3:31 PM, anuria67854 wrote:

>

>

> Oh, GS, lol! You know you're in the normal range! And like someone else

> here mentioned, I too vary in how extraverted or introverted I am feeling

> depending on the circumstances. I became less introverted by getting into

> costuming; I joined a costuming group! If I'm being a " character " , then, I'm

> not " me " : I'm playing a role, and if that character is extraverted, then,

> that's how I act. I find it very freeing and fun to play character roles in

> costume!

>

> -Annie

>

>

> >

> > Whaaaaat?????

> >

> > Did someone say something?

> >

> > I was out partying!

> >

> > Ha ha ha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If you send me an e-mail off-list, that would be great; I'd rather not be

specific on-list as it might possibly be too identifying, and its not really

very related to dealing with PD parents and mental health issues.

Thanks,

-Annie

[Guest guest]

No way!!! Costumes are one of my hobbies too! I design and make them.

I was just horsing around

I range very very high on extroversion on tests, except that I love to be

alone, don't like to stay out late and I don't like parties. I have to have

a constructive goal to invest my time in something, cocktails doesn't rank

high enough. I am also an extreme morning person and parties are at night,

so that's kind of out for me. So i'm like 2/3 as extroverted as you can get

and 1/3 not so extroverted. I dunno if that's normal ha ha ha

But I would LOVE to see your costumes!!!!

On Wed, Mar 23, 2011 at 1:31 PM, anuria67854 wrote:

>

>

> Oh, GS, lol! You know you're in the normal range! And like someone else

> here mentioned, I too vary in how extraverted or introverted I am feeling

> depending on the circumstances. I became less introverted by getting into

> costuming; I joined a costuming group! If I'm being a " character " , then, I'm

> not " me " : I'm playing a role, and if that character is extraverted, then,

> that's how I act. I find it very freeing and fun to play character roles in

> costume!

>

> -Annie

>

>

> >

> > Whaaaaat?????

> >

> > Did someone say something?

> >

> > I was out partying!

> >

> > Ha ha ha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

How fun Annie! What a great idea. I was asked to play Santa last year.

Time to trim my beard!

Doug

And GS, normal? Weeeeellll, ok in the normal range.

Normal is just a setting on the dryer.

> >

> > Whaaaaat?????

> >

> > Did someone say something?

> >

> > I was out partying!

> >

> > Ha ha ha

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Doug, I think that if you have the opportunity to be " Santa Claus " for a

group of kids, you'd get hooked on costuming/being " Santa " for good! There is

something just so heart-warming about playing a beloved character and having

kids *and even adults* come up to you and want a hug. It brings tears to your

eyes to be able to make someone happy with a hug, it really does. Good for you!

I've been wanting to play " Mrs. Santa Claus " in my area, and I think I'd do a

bang-up job of it, myself. You never know, I may get the chance to do that some

day. Big thumb's up of encouragement to you, from me!

-Annie

> How fun Annie! What a great idea. I was asked to play Santa last year.

> Time to trim my beard!

>

> Doug

>

> And GS, normal? Weeeeellll, ok in the normal range.

>

> Normal is just a setting on the dryer.