For effective treatment of mental health problems it is important to target the underlying biological factors. What does effective treatment mean in mental health care? It means more than just drug treatment. It relates to biological psychological and social approaches to the care of those with mental health problems. It varies according to the disorder; for some it may be pharmacological, for others talking therapies and for some a combination of both (Toates, 2010, pp.1-27) Mental health problems may be due to psychosocial and biological factors. There is no single cause for mental health disorder. Mental illnesses can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors. Heritability is suggested to be one …show more content…
Initially, individuals can receive psychological therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), aversion therapy, contingency management therapy and aversive therapy. CBT looks at the difficulties that individuals face based on behaviours thoughts and feelings, and therapists provide the person with new ways of thinking and coping with their struggles (McLannahan, 2010 ,pp.83-117). Aversion therapy helps people with addiction problems by associating the habit with unpleasant and aversive stimulus ( Dommett, 2010). Meanwhile, contingency management therapies encourage positive behaviour by rewarding it (Dommett, 2010). All those therapies are parts of psychotherapy treatments. The aim of psychotherapy treatments is to bring relief of symptoms and changes in behaviour that can lead to improvement of well-being (Mourao, …show more content…
For instance, people with dementia and AD are often prescribed antipsychotics, cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in order to help to send messages between certain nerve cells and increase amounts of acetylcholine which will lead to increased communication between nerve cells and also protect from damages caused by excessive release of glutamine (Leys et al, 2010, pp.75-103). This way, drugs can help stabilize some symptoms of AD. Meanwhile drugs can help to reduce withdrawal symptoms in addiction through regulation of dopamine (Dommet, 2010, pp.31-49). History has caused a shift from psychological treatment of mental health to a biological and more specifically pharmacological approach to treatment. Boniwell and Rostron, (2010) suggested that the latter approach can provide a better understanding for mental illness. For example, understanding the biological function of stress response, has allowed specialists to develop mechanisms that can control the level of chemicals in the body, thus control development of mental illnesses (Datta,
Through my extensive research on depression I have learned a lot of new things. I have learned about the many forms of depression and treatment for depression. I have also learned a little about what is believed to go on chemically in the brain of a clinically depressed person. I was also able to partially determine what sort of role genetics, chemicals and personal influences in the brain. Though I was unable to determine exactly how environmental and personal stress can cause a chemical imbalance in a person, I was even able to speculate about this issue and determine some theories of my own on why and how this may happen.
Since the discovery of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants in the 1950s and its affect on depressives, Schildkraut first proposed the Monoamine Theory. The theory states that depression is caused by an imbalance of monoamine transmitters (neurotransmitters) in certain areas of the brain, such as noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine (Schildkraut, 1965). This led to the introduction of antidepressant medication in the treatment of depression, known as pharmacotherapy. However, ongoing research suggests that the theory is “inadequate, as it does not provide a complete explanation for the actions of antidepressants, and the pathophysiology of depression itself remains unknown.”(Hirschfeld, 2000) A few of the main reasons for this inadequacy are because it is difficult to measure the level of neurotransmitters in an individual’s brain (P. L. Delgado, 2000) and that evidence is indirect on whether monoamine function is impaired in individuals with depression as the causes of depression appear to be more complex than simply a reduction in levels of monoamine or diminished function in these systems. (P. Delgado & Moreno, 1999)
Depression is a mental illness, which affects millions of Americans each year. Currently there are many prescription drugs, called anti-depressants that have been proven to successfully treat it. The causes of depression are somewhat of a medical enigma, however, it is known that depression is associated with a change in the brains chemistry involving the function of neurotransmitters (Reichert). This chemical change occurs in healthy brain’s, which experience sadness, but ends after the unpleasant stimulus is removed. In people suffering from depression this chemical change does not correspond to any particular stimulus. Symptoms of depression are often incapacitating and include severe and extended sadness, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of emptiness, irritability and anxiety (Reichert, Spake).
Mental illness can be a mixture of different factors. You can get mental illness through genetics meaning that it is passed down within the family. That can only happen if the mental illness is heredity. Another factor of mental illness is psychological trauma. Psychological trauma like abuse, or loss can cause some mental illnesses. When mental illness is untreated it makes it difficult for the person to function in society and deal with everyday life. The different types of mental illnesses range from anxiety disorders to personality disorders. Other mental illnesses are mood disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, and impulse control and addiction disorders. An example psychotic disorder schizophrenia. Examples of eating disorders are bulimia and anorexia. According to MedicineNet.com “Most mental illnesses are caused by a combination of factors and cannot be prevented”. Mental illness is something that should not be avoided. The biggest issue when it comes to mental illness that is noticeable is when someone who has a mental il...
The first therapy to discuss is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, otherwise know as CBT. The main focus of CBT therapy is a “functional analysis of the thinking and behavioral process” (Content Guide 4, n.d.). This being said, CBT has been effective in the treatment of those struggling with substance
The human body has developed a pain response in order to avoid injury. For example, if an individual were to place their hand on a hot oven, the excruciating pain would signal the nervous system to move the hand immediately before experiencing irreversible damage.
In it's simplest form, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, (or CBT as it will be referred to from here on out), refers to the approach of changing dysfunctional behaviors and thoughts to realistic and healthy ones. CBT encompasses several types of therapy focusing on the impact of an individual's thinking as it relates to expressed behaviors. Such models include rational emotive therapy (RET), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), behavior therapy (BT), Rational Behavior Therapy (RBT), Schema Focused Therapy, Cognitive therapy (CT). Most recently a few other variations have been linked to CBT such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) (Harrington and Pickles, 2009). The main aspect that all of these branches of therapy share, is that our thoughts relate to our external behaviors. External events and individuals do not cause the negative thoughts or feelings, but, instead the perception of events and situations is the root cause (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2010).
Kaut, K. P., & Dickinson, J.A. (2007). The mental health practitioner and psychopharmacology. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29(3), 204–225.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy has its foundations in two distinctive therapeutic theories, Cognitive Therapy and Behavioural Therapy. Cognitive Therapy (CT) believes that thoughts, feelings and behaviour are connected. CT states and an individual with help; can identify an issue that is causing a behavioural or an emotional response and correcting that thinking to achieve a desired outcome. Behavioural Therapy believes that individual’s behaviour is due to conditioning during the early years of life and as such can be altered with conscious awareness. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy is a combination of both of these theories and is based on an individual’s own history of thought an...
These types encompass Cognitive Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and Multimodal Therapy. For instance, an individual anguish from a quiet confidence that activates negative thoughts about his or her capacity or display. As a result of these patterns of negative thinking, the person might start averting social issues or passing up opportunities for advancement (Wedding & Corsini, 2014). Cognitive behavior therapy frequently adapted for clients who are comfortable with contemplation. For CBT to be efficient, the Client must be eager to evaluate his or her logic and feelings. Such rumination may be difficult, but it is an excellent way to acquire how internal states impact outward behavior. Cognitive behavior therapy is also appropriate for people looking for an interim alternative treatment that does not inevitably contain pharmacological medication. One of the assets of CBT that aid clients was developing coping strategies that may be beneficial both now and in the
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of treatment that focuses on examining the relationships between thoughts, feelings and behaviors (NAMI, 2012). It is designed to modify the individual’s normative dysfunctional thoughts. The basic cognitive technique consists of delineating the individual's specific misconceptions, distortions, and maladaptive assumptions, and of testing their validity and reasonableness (Beck, 1970). By exploring thought patterns that lead to maladaptive behaviors and actions and the beliefs that direct these thoughts, people with mental illness can alter their thought process to improve coping. CBT is different from oth...
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. W. (2011). Selecting effective treatments: A comprehensive systematic guide to treating mental disorders. (4th ed.) San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
The Clinical Application of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is based on the concept that behavior change may be achieved through altering cognitive processes. The assumption underlying the cognitively based therapeutic techniques is that maladaptive cognitive processes lead to maladaptive behaviors and changing these processes can lead to behavior modification. According to Mahoney (1995), an individual's cognitions are viewed as covert behaviors, subject to the same laws of learning as overt behaviors. Since its inception, cognitive-behavior modification has attempted to integrate the clinical concerns of psychodynamic psychotherapists with the technology of behavior therapists (Mahoney, 1995).
Aversion Therapy “Aversion therapy uses the behavioral approach principles that new behavior can be learnt in order to overcome addictions, obsessions or, violent behavior (Behavioral Psychology 2015).” In simple terms, the basis of Aversion Therapy is to be able to get rid of a habit or behavior that one wishes to no longer have. This is done by learning how to associate pain, discomfort, or suffering with said behavior or habit one would like to get rid of. Some very common examples of habits that one would seek to get rid of are smoking, violence, alcoholism, gambling, overeating, pornography, and many other undesirable habits one might have. Behavioral Psychology 2015
In some cases the causes of mental illness primarily found inside the individual. Some of them have been associated with an abnormal balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. If they are out of balance the communication between nerve cell in the brain disrupted (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of psychiatrist, 2005). Hence, leading to symptoms of mental illness like depression, schizophrenia. On the other hand, genetics also plays a significant role to acquire mental disorder, which is passed...