Mental Health Flashcards
Biomedical model
> Assumes every illness has a single specific cause, located in the biological or physiological systems of the human body
Mental health problems reflect underlying biological dysfunction
Structural brain abnormalities
Neurochemical abnormalities
Genes
Trauma (affecting the brain or nervous system)
Evidence suggests trauma impacts immune system and impacts mental/physical health
Biomedical approaches
Medical
> Most common form of treatment is medication (e.g. antidepressants)
Used for most disorders on Axis I (most common disorders - major depression, phobias, etc.)
> Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression (psychotic depression, resistant depression, etc.)
• Only a certain number of sessions, otherwise there must be consent… only used in registered hospitals
• e.g. 12 sessions given after SSRI medication, anti-depressants and psychotherapy doesn’t work, and client remains severely depressed with psychotic delusions
Biomedical approaches
Surgical
Psychosurgery
Frontal lobotomy
Deep brain stimulation
Strengths of biopsychosocial model
> Medication useful for treating severe mental health problems or people with acute distress - when talk therapy is not suitable
Fast relief of symptoms
Medication and psychotherapy seem to be equally effective - but more effective combined
Medication cheaper than psychotherapy
Criticisms of biopsychosocial model
Abnormal functioning is defined (or labelled) as an illness
>Reductionist approach
>Thoughts and feelings are peripheral
Some clients are habitual and rely on medication - do not learn new/preventative ways of coping
>Building resistance to medication, no longer works
>Risk of relapse once medication is ceased
Side-effects/risks (of medication, surgery, etc.)
>Suicidal thoughts, sleep disruption, etc.
Contemporary biomedicine
> Relies on biomedical approach - relevant approach to many diseases/disorders
Multiple specialities focused on discrete subsystems of the body - physiotherapist, speech therapists, etc.
Influences the training and practice of most health care professionals
Psychodynamic therapies
> Regardless of differences, all forms of psychodynamic therapy share:
Recognition of the role played by unconscious processes in explaining mental illness
Emphasis on the importance of subjective experience and interpretation
Relationship between therapist and client is pertinent in facilitating the successful resolution of a client’s presenting problem
Strengths of psychoanalysis therapy
> Normal and abnormal functioning (mental health) is seen on a continuum
Relationships are a focus: between client and therapist, client and significant others
Client’s thoughts and feelings are central to therapy
Criticisms of psychoanalysis therapy
> Treatment can be long and costly (problem for access)
Query suitability for clients with immediate needs/acute stress (e.g. severe depression)
Evidence-base for psychoanalysis/psychoanalytic psychotherapy is not great - but it is getting better…
Difficult to determine when to cease therapy – not a predetermined goal
Modern psychoanalysis
> Brief, time-limited versions of psychoanalysis
Therapeutic relationship tends to be more interactive
Applicable to people with severe illness/psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia)
Interpersonal psychotherapy
>
Based on attachment theory, communication theory, social theory
Focused on relationships, social skills and roles - how current relationships can impact mental health symptoms
Modified and adopted to a variety of illnesses:
Eating disorders
HIV infection
Depression cross-culturally
PTSD
Counsellor’s ethical responsibility
> Deliver treatments that are effective (have an evidence base)
Do not deliver treatments that are ineffective (have no evidence-base, or have been shown to be ineffective) or less effective than existing treatments
Have the skills and experience to recognise high-risk conditions (e.g. psychosis, suicidality) … because people with high-risk conditions are likely to seek their assistance
Seek and utilise supervision and consultation
If counsellors follow these guidelines, tragedies are less likely, and they will fulfil their duty of care to the people they work with
Behavioural therapy
“The proper domain of psychology includes observable, measurable stimuli and responses” (Watson)
> Mental health problems reflect maladaptive learning and/or
Skills deficits (failure to learn necessary skills)
Behavioural therapy strengths
> Abnormal behaviour on a continuum with normal behaviour
Abnormal behaviour as a result of maladaptive learning
Measurable, observable problems and interventions means that outcomes are easily measured and compared
Focus on learning new skills
Criticisms of Behavioural therapy
> Thoughts, feelings and meaning not addressed
> Some problems are difficult to observe
