Approaches to Treat Mental Illness

Introduction:

This study is going to discuss the three different approaches such as psychoanalytical, behavioural and cognitive approaches regarding the treatment of three selected mental illness including anxiety, schizophrenia and Obsessive compulsive disorders. This study will highlight the history, advantage and disadvantages of each approach in order to discuss the treatment of the selected mental disorders by using these approaches. Moreover this study will also discuss to ethical consideration of the selected approaches in terms of applying these approaches regarding proper treatment of the mental illness. Additionally, for those seeking support in their research, healthcare dissertation help can provide valuable resources and guidance.

Psychodynamic approach:

Psychodynamic approach is based on the concept that human functioning depends mainly on the interaction if forces and drives within the person that influences the different structure of the personality (Barth et al. 2016). Psychodynamic theory of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) focuses on several beliefs that can pose several advantages and disadvantages on the clinical intervention.

According to Driessen et al. (2017) Freud considered anxiety as interaction of different psychodynamic thoughts which is the combination good and bad thoughts. Based on these perspectives, researchers show that, Freud believed that mental conflict is associated with feeling of fear, anger and depression that leads to occurrence of the anxiety. In 1926, Freud had revised the idea about anxiety by demonstrating the distinction between the realistic and neurotic anxiety. In this new approach, Freud has determined two types of anxiety such as reality based automatic anxiety and neurotic anxiety.

Based on this perspective Oasi (2015) stated that, in case of the automatic anxiety, the reaction of individuals is the information sensation to different situation such as fear, anger, and bereavement. On the other hand, neurotic anxiety is kind of signal anxiety which is associated with the different level of neurotransmitter in between the brain cells. Psychoanalytic approach assists the recent clinicians to analyse the actual mental condition of patient suffering from the anxiety and depression.

According to Nelson and Castonguay (2017) ethical consideration of this approach is associated with maintaining strong mental health and wellbeing while applying this approach practical field. Freud believed that anxiety, depression and schizophrenia and OCD come from the unorganised thoughts, feeling and decisions. Based on the psychoanalytical approach there are ethical aspects associated with treatment of mental illness that the therapist should consider, which are as follows:

Understanding and meeting patients needs

Encourage patient in order to make self identification of their emotional state

Maintaining patient confidentiality

Keeping the detailed notes on the patient needs

Assisting patient to understand their subconscious factors that drives their behaviour

On supporting psychoanalytical approach Barth et al. (2016) stated that, this approach assist therapist to apply different relevant therapies such as talk therapy, dream analysis, counselling and open discussion with patient. Through using these therapies, health professional can evaluate actual mental condition of patient.

On the contrary Nelson and Castonguay (2017) argued that, although psychodynamic theory assists health professional to deal with different mental illness, it neglects the contribution o physical, environmental and biological factors into affecting the mental health. Moreover, in most of depression, anxiety and schizophrenia cases, the psychotherapies are not sufficient in order to deal with mental illness, rather the health professional needs to focus on biological and social factors. Therefore, it can be stated that in spite of providing better conception on mental illness. Psychoanalytical approach is failed to demonstrate the relevant as well as appropriate clinical support to patient.

Behavioural approach:

As stated by Opie et al. (2015) behavioural approach is based on the fact that there is strong connection between the human behaviour and mental stability. Based on this approach, different mental illness such as anxiety, schizophrenia and OCD are maintained through certain pattern of behaviour. This theory highlights the concept that human behaviour is combinational of mental and physical interaction. As stead by Wilson and Cramp (2018), behaviourists do not believes on the internal unconscious conflict, rather they use the principle of learning theory in order to determine the actual cause of different mental disorders. Based on the principles of learning theory, there are two types of reinforcement such as positive and negative. Positive reinforcement is associated with experience positive events and feeling. On the other hand, the negative reinforcement is associated with high adverse experience.

Based on the perspectives, Oasi (2016) stated that, behaviourist referred mental illness as the state which is occurred due to experience the negative reinforcement such as neglect, discrimination, abuse and harassment. Ethical considerations that are associated with this approach prioritise the behavioural changes in the individuals due to their negative interaction with the society. This approach also suggest heath professional to analyse the behavioural transformation of an individual that ac affect their overall, mental status.

On the contrary Hobman et al. (2016) argued that, although behavioural theory assist health professional to analyse the actual behavioural transformation of the patient, it is unable to represent the proper connection between mental illness and behavioural alteration. Moreover, clinical focus only on the behavioural alternation is not enough to deal with mental illness in recent years, rather the health professional needs to consider the other factors such as biological, genetic, social and environmental factors,. Therefore, it can be stated that, behavioural theory, although represent strong correlation ob human behaviour with mental status, is unable to assist the clinicians in order to make appropriate treatment of the mental illness.

Cognitive approach:

As stated by Tremblay (2017), cognitive approach in the psychology represents modern approach to human behaviour that focuses on the human thoughts, decisions and perception. Researches on mental illness shows that majority of the patient suffering from different mental disorders such as OCD, anxiety and schizophrenia are reported to have poor cognitive ability including lack of decision-making ability, poor problem solving skills and unorganised thoughts.

According to De Houwer et al. (2017), cognitive approach prioritise the development of different cognitive ability such as thoughts, ideas, perception, decision and self-confidence within the patient in order to improve their mental health. In case of depression, anxiety and OCD treatment process, health processional can take cognitive approach to offer such therapies such as communication, interaction therapies that can improve the decision making ability and problem solving skills of patients.

On the contrary Wu et al. (2018) argued that, cognitive approach is unable to make string psychotherapies that can assist the health professional to analyse the perfect mental condition of the patient. Therefore it is important for the health professionals to understand the actual mental condition of the patient suffering from mental disorders to apply the relevant treatment process.

Conclusion:

This study concludes that, three important approaches are there such as behavioural, cognitive and psychoanalytical, that can be applied in treatment process of mental illness. It is important for the health professional to understand which approach can be used for treating particular mental illness. There are several advantages and limitations of each approach that mental health professional needs to consider before apply them, into the practice. Moreover, they need to consider the ethics related to each approach in order to implement them into the practical field.

Reference list:

Barth, J., Munder, T., Gerger, H., Nüesch, E., Trelle, S., Znoj, H., Jüni, P. and Cuijpers, P., 2016. Comparative efficacy of seven psychotherapeutic interventions for patients with depression: a network meta-analysis. Focus, 14(2), pp.229-243.

De Houwer, J., Hughes, S. and Barnes-Holmes, D., 2017. Psychological engineering: A functional–cognitive perspective on applied psychology. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 6(1), pp.1-13.

Driessen, E., Van, H.L., Peen, J., Don, F.J., Twisk, J.W., Cuijpers, P. and Dekker, J.J., 2017. Cognitive-behavioral versus psychodynamic therapy for major depression: Secondary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 85(7), p.653.

Hobman, E.V., Frederiks, E.R., Stenner, K. and Meikle, S., 2016. Uptake and usage of cost-reflective electricity pricing: Insights from psychology and behavioural economics. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 57, pp.455-467.

Nelson, D.L. and Castonguay, L.G., 2017. The systematic use of homework in psychodynamic-interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: An assimilative integration approach. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 27(2), p.265.

Oasi, O., 2015. Observing the determinants of the psychotherapeutic process in depressive disorders. A clinical case study within a psychodynamic approach. Frontiers in psychology, 6, p.477.

Opie, R.S., O’Neil, A., Itsiopoulos, C. and Jacka, F.N., 2015. The impact of whole-of-diet interventions on depression and anxiety: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Public health nutrition, 18(11), pp.2074-2093.

Roussel, S., Joulia, D., Tricot, A. and Sweller, J., 2017. Learning subject content through a foreign language should not ignore human cognitive architecture: A cognitive load theory approach. Learning and Instruction, 52, pp.69-79.

Tremblay, S., 2017. A cognitive approach to situation awareness: theory and application. Routledge.

Watters, C., 2017. Editorial Perspective: Effective mental health and psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents in street situations. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(2), pp.215-217.

Wilson, S. and Cramp, F., 2018. Combining a psychological intervention with physiotherapy: A systematic review to determine the effect on physical function and quality of life for adults with chronic pain. Physical Therapy Reviews, pp.1-13.

Wu, P.H., Hwang, G.J., Yang, M.L. and Chen, C.H., 2018. Impacts of integrating the repertory grid into an augmented reality-based learning design on students’ learning achievements, cognitive load and degree of satisfaction. Interactive Learning Environments, 26(2), pp.221-234.

The Causes Of Different Mental Health Disorders

Introduction:

As referred by National Health Service (NHS), mental illness is associated with the poor functioning of brain that leads to reduces thinking ability, lack of decision making power, poor problem solving and deteriorating judgemental ability. There are several example of mental disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, depressive and obsessive identity disorders this study is going to represent the critical discussion on the overall causes of three different mental disorders including anxiety, schizophrenia and Obsessive compulsive disorders. By using different evidences this study will represents the different arguments regarding the causes of each mental illness. Finally the essay will conclude the overall interference of the entire discussion.

Critical discussion on the causes of the different mental disorders:

Anxiety:

NHS England refers Anxiety as the body’s normal response to different types of stress such as fear, apprehension about something to come. Although there are huge researchers on the causes, symptoms, clinical interventions and the outcomes of this mental illness, the exact causes of anxiety is still obscure. Different arguments and evidences are represented in different times to demonstrate the cause of anxiety, however it so highly controversial that what are the actual causes of this mental illness.

According to von Dawans et al. (2017), genetic and biological factors are associated with causes of anxiety. The evidence suggest that, different researchers show that, people having close relatives with anxiety problems are more prevalent to this mental illness, than the individuals who do not have relatives suffering from anxiety. On supporting the viewpoint Lader (2015) mentioned that, throughout the reproduction process, individual share the genetic factors to their offspring’s which brings their health issues, mental illness, behaviour and attitude to the next generation. However there are huge controversies regarding this concept, as recent survey by WHO shows that about 22% of the UK based individuals suffering from anxiety do not have any genetic source of this disease in their previous generation.

On the contrary Newman et al. (2015) argued that, past childhood experience is considered to be one of the potential causative factors in terms of developing anxiety in the later life. Moreover, the author also stated that, although biological factors are associated with mental illness that passes to the next generation, there are lacks of evidences that strongly represent the biological factors as important cause of this mental disorder. Rather, different researches in England and Wales shows that, most of the individuals suffering anxiety are victims of adverse experiences such as emotional and physical abuse, neglect, discrimination by the society, losing of the close relatives and social exclusion and bullying in the school. In this aspect, Office of national Statistics represent the mental health scenario in UK, in which more than 20% of the individual sin UK suffers from sever depression and anxiety which is higher than the previous years with 18%.

In this aspect Gorka et al. (2015) argued that, current life situations are proved to have stronger association with anxiety than its relation with the past experience. Due to social, exclusion, marginalisation and reduce social mobility, people can face several challenges regarding their social and financial aspects. Current situations such as continuous exhaustion, stress, long terms working hours, lack of job satisfaction, loneliness, and homelessness and housing problems.

On the contrary Newman et al. (2015) argued that, although biological factors, current and past experiences are associated with developing anxiety, there is lack of evidence regarding the relationship of these factors with the development of anxiety. Moreover, the author suggests the strong relationship of poor physical and mental health with the deteriorating mental ability. On supporting this view point von Dawans et al. (2017) stated that, ongoing serious physical disorders such cardio vascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary disease and respiratory disorders affect the overall, mental strength of individuals. In UK, diagnosis of the older people with cardio vascular and coronary arterial disease proves that, majority of them suffer from high level of depression and anxiety.

From the aforementioned analysis, it is clear that different controversial evidences are represented regarding this discussion of the causes of anxiety. However, the actual causative factors for this mental illness are still unknown. Although clinical interventional and diagnosis have paved their way to determine the actual causes behind developing anxiety, there needs to be conducted high level of medical research and prognosis, which will assist t researcher to find out the actual reason behind of the occurrence of anxiety.

Schizophrenia

NHS England refers Schizophrenia as a severe long-term mental disorder that is associated with different psychological symptoms such as hallucination, delusion, muddled thoughts and behavioural changes. Although there are several research based evidences that demonstrate the possible causes of this mental illness, the actual reason behind occurrence of this disease is still unknown. Research suggests that, combination of different genetic physical, environmental and psychological factors are associated with developing Schizophrenia in individuals.

According to Howes et al. (2016), evidence suggests the strong relationship between increased risk of Schizophrenia and genetic factors. Different genetics evidence shows that single gene may be responsible for developing this mental illness. Different combination of genes can be cause of making people more vulnerable to the different awkward situation. On the contrary Ellaithy et al. (2018) suggests that, having genes there are associated with developing negative behaviour within individuals is not necessarily associated with occurrence of Schizophrenia. Gene study shows that, identical twins share the similar types of genes. In this aspect if one of the twins has Schizophrenia than the other has full possibility to develop this disease in later life.

On the contrary Matosin et al. (2017) argued that, although genetic factors play important roles in setting mental and physical behaviour in individuals, researches on people with Schizophrenia strongly point out the different brain structure they have can be associated with development of this disease. Current research on the brain development shows that, brain is the main body parts that control all the psychological activities and behaviour in individual. Moreover, Bera (2014) suggest that, although there are some controversies regarding relationship between occurrence of the Schizophrenia and the brain malfunction, it is proved through the researches that, brain functions are partly associated with Schizophrenia.

By representing strong argument Tompsett et al. (2018) stated that, although majority of the researches have pointed out entire brain function as one of the important causative factors for Schizophrenia, clinical intervention of Schizophrenia patient shows that only a chemical has strong associated with Schizophrenia. The chemical is Neurotrasmitter that receives and carries the massages between brain cells. Researches also suggest that, the sudden changes occurring in the level of two different neurotransmitters such as, Serotonin and Dopamine can contribute to the development of Schizophrenia.

In this aspect Bera (2014) argued that, pregnancy as well as birth complications can be possible causative factors in developing Schizophrenia. Recent researches suggest that majority of people suffering from Schizophrenia have experienced severe complications before as well as after their birth. The complications may be of different types such as

Premature labour

Asphyxia during the birth

Low birth weight

According to Tompsett et al. (2018), clinical diagnosis of Schizophrenia suggests some other factors such as stress, provocations and drug abuse can be important causes to develop Schizophrenia. Most of the researches show that, there are certain drugs such as LSD or amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis that can triggers the symptoms of Schizophrenia. Clinical interventions of the Schizophrenia show that, consistent use of amphetamines and cocaine can develop psychosis in the individuals.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD):

According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), OCD is common long-lasting or chronic disorder in which an individual deals with reoccurring and uncontrolled thoughts (obsession) and unorganised behaviour (compulsions). Some of the people develop this disorder during their puberty and the other people develop the disease during the early adulthood. As stated by obsession is the unwanted and unpleasant thoughts, decision and urge that enters into mind repeatedly causing the feeling depression, fear and anxiety. On the other hand, compulsion is repetitive behaviour as well as mental act that provoke the individual to carry out the same task repeatedly. Different evidence and arguments are represented n discussing the causes of OCD which as follows:

According to Burguiere et al. (2015), family history can be important factors to develop risk of OCD in individuals. Different evidence suggest that people having relatives and family members who have past experience of OCD, are highly vulnerable to the risk of this mental disorders. Although several arguments and controversies are associated with this belief

In this aspect Pauls et al. (2014) argued that, clinical researches shows that majority of the patient suffering from OCD, do not have the family background of OCD. Moreover, researchers also shows that, brain malfunction are proved to have strong associated with development of OCD. Sudden changes in the level of neurotransmitter, Serotonin leads to development OCD in individuals.

According to Snyder et al. (2015), evidences suggest people with adverse and tormented life events are more prevalent to the risk of OCD. UK based mental health survey by NHS shows that, majority of the individual in England and Wales suffering from OCD , are reported to have past experience of bullying, neglect, abuse and bereavements.

On the contrary Burguiere et al. (2015) argued that, although life events are the natural factors that commonly affects the mental state and physical health of individuals, it is not necessary that individual will develop OCD due to experience these life events. Several evidences suggest that, personality has strong association with the OCD. Most of the people with poor behavioural expression, lack of decisions making ability and poor problem solving skill are highly vulnerable to risk of OCD.

Conclusion:

From the critical discussion it is clear that, mental illness can be associated with different causative factors, such as physical, environmental, genetic, psychological and behavioural. Clinical interventional suggests that brain functions have strongly associated with different mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and OCD. Therefore proper medical support, social assistance and financial development are important for individual suffering from these disease for developing their health and wellbeing.

Reference list:

Bera, R.B., 2014. Patient outcomes within schizophrenia treatment: a look at the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 75, pp.30-33.

Burguiere, E., Monteiro, P., Mallet, L., Feng, G. and Graybiel, A.M., 2015. Striatal circuits, habits, and implications for obsessive–compulsive disorder. Current opinion in neurobiology, 30, pp.59-65.

Ellaithy, A., Younkin, J., Gonzalez-Maeso, J. and Logothetis, D.E., 2015. Positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate 2 receptors in schizophrenia treatment. Trends in neurosciences, 38(8), pp.506-516.

Gorka, S.M., Fitzgerald, D.A., Labuschagne, I., Hosanagar, A., Wood, A.G., Nathan, P.J. and Phan, K.L., 2015. Oxytocin modulation of amygdala functional connectivity to fearful faces in generalized social anxiety disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology, 40(2), p.278.

Howes, O.D., McCutcheon, R., Agid, O., De Bartolomeis, A., Van Beveren, N.J., Birnbaum, M.L., Bloomfield, M.A., Bressan, R.A., Buchanan, R.W., Carpenter, W.T. and Castle, D.J., 2016. Treatment-resistant schizophrenia: treatment response and resistance in psychosis (TRRIP) working group consensus guidelines on diagnosis and terminology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 174(3), pp.216-229.

Lader, M., 2015. Generalized anxiety disorder. In Encyclopedia of psychopharmacology (pp. 699-702). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.

Matosin, N., Fernandez-Enright, F., Lum, J.S. and Newell, K.A., 2017. Shifting towards a model of mGluR5 dysregulation in schizophrenia: consequences for future schizophrenia treatment. Neuropharmacology, 115, pp.73-91.

Newman, M.G., Castonguay, L.G., Jacobson, N.C. and Moore, G.A., 2015. Adult attachment as a moderator of treatment outcome for generalized anxiety disorder: Comparison between cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) plus supportive listening and CBT plus interpersonal and emotional processing therapy. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 83(5), p.915.

Pauls, D.L., Abramovitch, A., Rauch, S.L. and Geller, D.A., 2014. Obsessive–compulsive disorder: an integrative genetic and neurobiological perspective. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(6), p.410.

Snyder, H.R., Kaiser, R.H., Warren, S.L. and Heller, W., 2015. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is associated with broad impairments in executive function: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychological Science, 3(2), pp.301-330.

Tompsett, T., Masters, K. and Donyai, P., 2018. The utility of novel outcome measures in a naturalistic evaluation of schizophrenia treatment. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 14, p.681.

von Dawans, B., Trüg, A., Kirschbaum, C., Dziobek, I., Fischbacher, U. and Heinrichs, M., 2017. Effects of social and non-social stress on social behavior in health and social anxiety disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 83, p.71.