The Identification and Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Treating Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders and their treatments have been researched and reformed for decades. These disorders are complex and involve many different elements. Psychological disorders can have different origins such as poor genes in addition to a number of environmental components including development, parents, and trauma. Risk factors can point doctors to diagnosing a patient with a psychological disorder; however, these risk factors can be vague and cause a number of problems. Disorders can be prevented and cured with exercise and social activity; but, there are a number of drug and brain manipulation therapies than are effective in treating these disorders. The mystery of psychological disorders can be understood when origins and prevention are investigated.

In order to first identify a disorder, you must first identify normal behavior from deviant behavior. A general psychological disorder can be defined as a syndrome marked by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. Two different approaches to deviance influence our understanding of where psychological disorders originate. The first is the biopsychosocial approach; this is an integrated approach that incorporates biology, psychology, and social-cultural levels of analysis to determine of someone has a psychological disorder. The second approach is the medical model which illustrates psychological disorders as a result from disease; these disorders can be diagnosed, treated, and cured in a hospital. The medical model was created in the 1800’s when it was discovered that syphilis distorted brain function. Many psychologists, such as French physician Philippe Pinel, pushed for reform of the treatment of psychiatric patients.

There are numerous types of psychological disorders classified in the American Psychiatric Association’s (ASA) 2013 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. To treat a patient with a psychological disorder, it is important to first classify the disorder in order to determine proper treatment. Doctors are able to communicate thoroughly with each other in order to provide client relief. Another benefit of classification is a psychologist can predict the disorder’s future course. Classification can also prompt research into causes of psychological disorders. However, some psychologists criticize the use of classifying these disorders. One criticism is that the mental disorders in the ASA’s manual are vague. Many of the disorders have symptoms that are normal behavior to a certain extent or can be used to identify more than one disorder. In addition, critics say that diagnostic labels are subjective and value judgments masquerading as science. A study done by David Rosenhan in 1973 illustrates these issues. The “pseudo patient” study revealed that healthy patients can be misdiagnosed based on symptoms they claim to have. Labeling patients with psychological disorders can also put patients at risk. Patients can experience the inability of being employed or to rent housing. Classifying disorders can be helpful; however, this potentially harms a patient and can prevent them from living normally.

There are many factors that can protect an individual from developing a psychological disorder. One factor is genetics. Behavioral genetics is the study of power and limits of genetic and environmental influences on behavior. Genes, small segments of the DNA molecule, provide the code for the body’s building blocks creating the genome. A person’s environment can turn on these genes. Epigenetics studies the molecular mechanisms by which environments can trigger or block genetic expression. However, twin and adoption studies show that biological similarities are stronger than adoptive environment regarding behavior. Prenatal environment can also determine how genes are developed. Tetragons such as smoking, alcohol, or pollution can negatively affect the body while pregnant. Disorders such as fetal alcohol syndrome can lead to serious problems later on. A mother that was under a lot of stress while pregnant can also increase her child’s chances of hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and psychiatric disorders.

Childhood development can also determine the development of psychological disorders. Childhood development has many different aspects, the first being parenting. Different types of parenting can determine a child’s behavior. In an experiment, it was proven that monkeys have a preference for a parent that is warm and comforting rather than one that simply feeds it. The same is true for human beings. Body contact is extremely important for the normal and healthy development of a child. This leads to a secure attachment with a caregiver. Young children seek closeness to their parent and experience distress when separated. Early attachments form a strong foundation for adult relationships. Insecure attachment can lead to other issues. A child can be indifferent to a parent’s presence or cannot be soothed by the parent’s presence. This can lead to problems with adult relationships.

Parenting styles have a large influence on a child’s traits. An authoritarian parent is coercive. When this parenting style is used, the child usually has low self-esteem and lacks strong social skills. However, this parenting style tends to be used when a child is in a dangerous environment. A second parenting style is permissive parenting which is characterized by a lack of restrain. These children tend to experience fewer demands and less severe punishment if any at all. Children with these types of parents have a tendency to be aggressive and immature. According to two different studies in Germany, permissive parenting can lead to less achievements in adult life. The last type of parenting is authoritative which tends to involve confrontation with the child. Psychologists say that this parenting style is “just right.” This parenting style encourages open discussion and allows for some exceptions. Children with this type of parenting style have strong social skills and are self-reliant.

Two different psychologists have created stages of development that if a stage is not completed, a child cannot fully develop. Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development involve development of basic trust, exercising will, initiating tasks, pleasure from application, and role confusion. Each of these stages happens within a three-year period and if not properly fostered can create problems for adult relationships. The other stages of development were created by Sigmund Freud. His psychosexual stages of personality development were said to be where the Id’s pleasure seeking energies were focused. These areas are oral, anal, phallic, latency, and finally, genital. Like Erikson’s stages, if these developmental stages were not focused on, a child could develop a fixation or a lingering focus on the development stage. This lead to unresolved conflicts.

Risk factors that can help psychologists classify a patient with a psychological disorder are carried. Some of these signs are reading disabilities, academic failure, family disorganization, parental mental illness, stressful life event. Physical illness such as neurochemical imbalances, low birth weight, and pregnancy complications can all point to psychological disorders. Traits of someone that potentially has a disorder is unusual behavior, substance abuse, sleep and appetite changes, nervousness, and mood changes.

There are many ways in which a person can prevent a psychological disorder. The human brains and body were meant for both social engagement and physical activity. Therefore, there are certain goals that a person should reach for proper brain and body function. The first way is to have thirty minutes of aerobic exercise about three times per week. Seven to eight hours a night of sleep is extremely important. Most people do not get the required amount of sleep they need. It is also important to give thirty minutes of natural light exposure in the morning. A daily fish oil supplement also with Omege-3 fatty acids also aid the brain in proper function. In order to fulfill our need for social engagement and improve emotional health there are two things that lead to healthy functioning. Two meaningful social interactions per day in addition to identifying and redirecting negative thoughts to positive ones. These goals are also effective in providing relief from depression. 77% of people successfully reduce depression in this way.

It is very important to cope with stress and recover from adversity. Stress can cause a large amount of health issues and even explain some psychological disorders. Struggling with challenges can sometimes lead to post traumatic growth. Poverty, meaningless work, constant criticism, unemployment, racism, and sexism can undermine one’s sense of competence, personal control and self-esteem. Reducing stress can be done through exercise, meditation, and relaxation. Research also shows that people with a strong faith tend to have decreased stress and a better outlook on life.

If a person is diagnosed with a psychological disorder, there are many different types of drug therapies and psychotherapies that can be used in order to treat the person. There are four types of drug therapies that can be used to treat all psychological disorders. Antipsychotics, such as Thorazine, mimic the neurotransmitter dopamine which influences movement, learning, attention, and emotions. Antipsychotics decrease overreactions to irrelevant stimuli. When antipsychotics are paired with life-skills programs and family support, they are very successful in treating schizophrenia. Side effects of antipsychotics include sluggishness, twitches, and tremors.

Antianxiety drugs such as Xanax or Ativan depress the central nervous system. These drugs are typically used in combination with behavior therapy. However, antianxiety is not very effective; it reduces symptoms without resolving the problem. In addition, withdrawal symptoms increase anxiety and lead to insomnia. Recently, psychologists have been giving antidepressants for patients with anxiety.

Antidepressants, such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil, increase norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters promote birth of new brain cells. It is usually 75% effective unless the patient is severely depressed. When paired with cognitive therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, the effectiveness increases. Antidepressants are also used for anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. While useful, aerobic exercise has been shown to be as equally effective as antidepressants.

The last drug therapy is mood stabilizing drugs such as Depakote. Depakote was originally used for patients with epilepsy. The lithium levels emotional highs and lows of bipolar disorder; however, psychologists do not know why this drug is effective.

In addition to drug treatment, brain stimulation is also effective in treating specific disorders, such as depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or shock therapy is very effective in treating depression. ECT works by manipulating the brain by shocking it for thirty to sixty seconds. Three sessions for week for two to four weeks improves the conditions of about 80% of patients. This version of brain manipulation is less disruptive than earlier versions. However, four out of ten patients relapse within six months. Other brain stimulation includes alternative neurostimulation therapies (ANT). The first type is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This is characterized by sending magnetic energy to brain surface through coiled wire held close to the brain. The therapy is very similar to antidepressants and has less side effects. The second type of ANT is deep brain stimulation. This therapy manipulates a depressed brain by stimulating a neural hub that bridges the frontal lobes to the limbic system. 33% of patients respond extremely well while another 30% modestly improve.

Classifying a psychological disorder can be vague but provides doctors a foundation from which they can treat patients. The chances of a person being diagnosed with a psychological disorder are increased if the person has distorted genes and childhood development. Many risk factors point to a psychological disorder such as odd behavior, low function, or a danger to a person’s self or others. Several drug treatments, psychotherapies, and alternative brain stimulation therapies are effective in treating psychological treatments but all of them have a downside. The best way to prevent and cure a psychological disorder is to exercise regularly and reduce stress. The complexity of psychological disorders can be made simple by looking at how the human body is meant to function through social interaction and physical activity.