Based on the cognitive-behavioral model, mental disorder is a product of behavioral, psychological, and biological factors (Sudak, Beck, and Wright, 2003). In addition, genetic predisposition and psycho-sociological factors trigger the development of mental health problem in an individual. The effect of such largely depends on the capacity of the individual to endure the changes brought by these factors and the availability of environmental scaffold. The cognitive-behavioral therapy has five domains in the treatment of anxiety disorders among children and adolescents.
Information about the disorder and its stressors are provided by means of psycho-education component while the correct autonomic arousal and other physiological responses are done through somatic management (Sudak, Beck, and Wright, 2003). Additionally, the development of cognitive restructuring are designed for the identification of the source of negative thoughts then substitution with positive thoughts to reinforce coping mechanisms (Sudak, Beck, and Wright, 2003).
Moreover, the exposure domain, conditions the individual to appropriately face the cause of negative thoughts while the relapse prevention is designed to consolidate and generalized treatment gains (Sudak, Beck, and Wright, 2003). Pharmacotherapy Drug treatment is only advised for severe mental conditions (Tonks, 2003). There are general classes of drugs typically prescribed for mentally-disturbed patients. These include anxiolytics or tranquillizers for anxiety, antipsychotics for psychotic symptoms, anti-epileptics for epilepsy, and antidepressants for depression (WHO, 2001).
The efficacy of several drugs has been tested for different types of mental and behavioral disorders in parallel with cognitive-behavioral approaches. It is worthy to note that these drugs attack the symptoms of the illness not the causes of or illness per se (WHO, 2001). Although, several studies reported the significant improvement of patient through drug treatment but conclusive findings are not available to support such claim (Tonks, 2003). In line with this, drugs are primarily intended for symptoms control and prevention of relapse (NIMH, 2007).
Besides, side effects of drug treatments were noted and the probability of drug dependence was also foreseen (NIMH, 2007). For instance, the use of Benzodiazepines and Kava made little improvements among the patients but correlated with drowsiness, drug dependency, and cirrhosis (Tonks, 2003). Family and Community Involvement Different studies revealed that family involvement in the treatment of behavioral disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, depression, and mental illness improved patient’s conditions (WHO, 2001).
Additionally, treatment outcomes at home showed positive results than in medical institutions. But relapse rate incidence was noted higher at home (WHO, 2001). Thus, it is inferred that by providing the best emotional atmosphere at home would result to a better treatment outcomes. In fact, it was proven that family therapy in parallel with antipsychotic medications has more positive treatment outcomes (WHO, 2001). Nonetheless, the mutual support from the general public to avoid discrimination against mentally-disturbed individuals is highly encouraged.
For the attainment of mutual support, collaborative efforts from the government, private organizations, media, and concern citizens are needed in the disseminating proper information and educating the mind of the general public concerning mental health problems and behavioral disorders (WHO, 2001). For example, World Psychiatric Association, WPA, led a worldwide campaign through mass media in eradicating discrimination against schizophrenic patients (WHO, 2001). Conclusion
While psychodynamic techniques provide assistance to the clients in becoming conscious on their intrapsychic conflicts and dynamics, behavioral approaches utilize learning principles in shaping desired behavioral response of the client to a conflict-evoking event. Further, behavioral therapy facilitates the mind conditioning of the client to courageously face the causes of their psychological conflicts. Similarly, cognitive-behavioral therapy requires the active involvement of the client in recognition of the causes of maladaptive cognitions and replacement of a behavior appropriate for a particular context.
Moreover, in 2001, the World Health Organization emphasized that drugs are intended primarily to control only the symptoms of the disorders and not for the disorders themselves. With the complex nature of mental health problems and behavioral disorders, a multi-perspective approach in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment is a must for the improvement of the patient’s conditions. As revealed by studies, the combination of several forms of therapy resulted to a better improvement on the part of the client as compared with the application of a single therapeutic form (Westen, 2006).
This is an implication that the efficient diagnosis of any mental and behavioral disorder is required to cater the appropriate treatment intervention specific to the client. Of the same importance, since individuals with mental and behavioral disorders are still members of the society, aside from the active involvement of the client in any therapeutic treatment, mutual support from the family and the community has a significant role for a productive treatment.
References
Brown, S. D. and Lent, R. W. (2008). Handbook of Counseling Psychology, 4th ed. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons. NIHM. (2007). Medications with Addendum 2007.
Maryland: National Institutes of Mental Health Publication. Sudak, D. , Beck, J. S. , and Wright, J. (2003). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Blueprint for Attaining and Assessing Psychiatry Resident Competency. Academic Psychiatry, 27 (3): 154-159. Tonks, A. (2003). Clinical review: Extracts from “Best Treatments” Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder. British Medical Journal, 326: 700-702. Westen, D. (2006). Implications of Research in Cognitive Neuroscience for Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. FOCUS, 4(2): 215-222. WHO. (2001). The World Health Report 2001, Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO-Office Publication.