Mood Disorders

1. Know the main forms of mental ill health

Describe the main types of mental ill health according to the psychiatric (DSM/ICD) classification system: mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, substance-related disorders, eating disorders, cognitive disorders.

As per the propositions of the psychiatric (DSM/ICD) classification system, the following are the may be described as the main types of mental health disorders:

Mood Disorders: They comprise of a wide array of mood issues and are usually characterized by a significant alteration in an individual’s persistent emotional state or mood thereby affecting the quality of living of the concerned person. The commonest forms include depression, bipolar disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and self-harm.

Personality Disorders: They are persistent mental problems in which the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of a person deviate from the expected social and cultural practices thereby causing distress or problems in normal functioning. Three broad categories include suspicious (schizoid, paranoid, schizotypal, antisocial), emotional and impulsive (histrionic, borderline, narcissistic) and anxious (dependent, avoidant, obsessive compulsive).

Anxiety Disorders: They have been recognized as the commonest types of mental illness that may be attributed by feelings of uneasiness, worry or excessive fear or anxiety. Principal types of anxiety disorders constitute generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, specific phobias, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder and separation anxiety disorder.

Psychotic Disorders: They are referred to as serious types of mental illness, in which the affected person experiences distorted thoughts and perceptions detached from reality through exhibition of symptoms associated with hallucinations and delusions. Both schizophrenia and psychosis illnesses fall in the category of psychotic disorders.

Substance-related Disorders: They may be referred to either substance abuse or substance dependence that might culminate in steering behavioral, physical as well as social changes due to ingestion of a substance such as drugs or alcohol that is responsible for generating a sensation of high through alteration of one’s senses and cognitive functioning.

Eating Disorders: They encompass aberrant eating habits, attitudes, emotions and behaviors surrounding weight and food. Commonly reported types constitute anorexia nervosa, binge eating and bulimia.

Cognitive Disorders: This constitute impairment of certain skills like perception, learning, memory, judgment, problem solving, abstract reasoning, concentration, attention, language, behavior and others. Aphasia, apraxia, amnesia, agnosia and executive dysfunction are the commonly reported types of cognitive disorders.

Explain the key strengths and limitations of the psychiatric classification system.

At present, two widely accepted systems for classifying psychiatric disorders are in vogue that includes:

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as developed by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)
• Chapter V of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) as furnished by the World Health Organization (WHO)

The advantages circumscribing these classifications are multiple and form a firm foundation for the categorization of the psychological disorders. Moreover classification has lead to a more scientific approach through reception of consensus from the concerned authorities to diagnose a clinical metal disorder based on unsubstantiated assumptions. It further expanded the acceptance and credibility of the systems adoption and utilization for disciplines outside psychiatry. The reliability and validity of the diagnostic constructs are further rendered through classification thereby allaying rapid and inappropriate changes that are not supported through empirical evidences. Clear and succinct criteria for diagnosis of mental disorders are offered in course of classification for accurate diagnosis of the psychiatric illness by virtue of proper evaluation strategies. Despite these strengths, psychiatric classification system is thwarted by numerous intrinsic limitations. Firstly these classifications rely on superficial symptoms rather than taking into account other potential vital factors. Another important limitation includes lack of agreement regarding the creation of a suitable construct for a particular psychiatric ailment. Further, discrepancy in interpretation of results due to varied opinions and validation pose challenge for impeccable assessment of disorder. The sub-categorization of the mental disorders based on different syndromes or similar symptoms as it may arise. False positive diagnosis due to faulty classification might be a costly affair threatening the balance of reliability and validity of the diagnosis undertaken.

Personality Disorders

Explain two alternative frameworks for understanding mental distress.

In psychological terms, mental distress refers to a vast range of symptoms and experiences which comprise of unpleasant feelings or emotions that might result in influencing the level of functioning pertinent to an individual. A person afflicted by mental distress may encounter challenges in terms of maintaining personal and professional relationships that in turn generates adverse effects thereby threatening the quality of life. The causes of distress although may not be explicitly defined, yet the underlying mechanisms or key factors that might trigger the onset of distress may be explained. Neurohumoral imbalance and alteration in cognitive functioning, stress and everyday problems alongside exposure to severely troubling experiences might account for harboring mental distress. Understanding mental distress may be achieved through two alternative frameworks that consist of the behavior model and the social model. Theories that have emerged in consequence of experimental psychology aid in understanding of mental dysfunction in the light of behavioral model. The symptoms as depicted by a person are acknowledged as their behavior that might have resulted in response to process like that of learning or conditioning. Acquisition of new skills helps in adaptation of the person with its near environment in contrast to certain behaviors that are essentially maladaptive and result in adverse outcomes. In such cases, behavioral therapy renders the person opportunities for altering their behavior in order to attain better outcomes through enhanced control over oneself as well as the surrounding. Further, according to the social model emphasis is laid upon the intrinsic link between patient environment and behavior that serve as the chief social forces as crucial determinants of mental disorder. Hence, observable environmental factors are capable of driving necessary changes based on general theories of groups by exerting discernable influence on one’s perceptions.

Explain how mental ill health may be indicated through an individual’s emotions, thinking and behaviour.

Mental illness although do not have any clinical manifestations, but may be represented through certain signs and symptoms that in turn may be corroborated with their emotions, thinking and behavior. The type of disorder and the circumstances as it may occur, in addition to other confounding factors might affect and leads to variability in the demonstration of signs and symptoms. Emotions, perceptions and behaviors all get influenced by symptoms of mental illness. Thus, detection may corroborate to the following signs and symptoms:

• Persistent feelings of sadness or gloomy outlooks
• Diminished ability to concentrate
• Disoriented thoughts or confused thinking patterns
• Extreme feelings of guilt coupled with excessive fears or anxieties
• Terrible mood swings switching between highs and lows
• Withdrawal from social interactions and refrain from activities
• Decreased energy and motivation to do work resulting in a feeling of lethargy and fatigue that might lead to problems in sleeping patterns, sleep deprivation and other associated difficulties
• Drastic change in behavior maybe noted following detachment from reality that might cause arousal of delusion, paranoia or hallucinations
• Incapability to tackle daily problems and stressful situations
• Difficulties in understanding and in establishing relations to people or scenarios
• Substance abuse or substance dependence due to ingestion of drugs or consumption of alcohol
• Significant alterations in dietary patterns
• Changes in sex drive
• Heightened emotions due to excessive anger, hostility or violence
• Suicidal thinking
• Fluctuating moods with accentuated feelings of irritability, anger
• Forgetfulness
• Laughing or crying at inappropriate situations

1. Know the impact of mental ill health on individuals and others in their social network

Explain how individuals experience discrimination due to misinformation, assumptions and stereotypes about mental ill health

Anxiety Disorders

People who are diagnosed with mental illness are likely to be under the scanner of the society and are often judged because of certain preconceived notions and stereotypes. Stigma attached to mental health alongside the discrimination they experience often leads to jeopardize of the lives of the affected individuals. The stages of their difficulties might aggravate thereby causing serious impediment to recover from the agony or despair as occurred in the mental disorder. Most people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders are capable of fully recovering from their condition when subjected to proper interventions at early stages. However stigma liked to mental health reduces this chance and predisposes them to harbor negative outcomes. Discriminations in all aspects of their lives from society further increase the risk. This may be attributed to occur largely because of misinformation or lack of awareness that often follows miscommunication through inappropriate representation in media such as television, internet, newspapers and others. Further, oppositions from families, friends and employers increase their vulnerability to face the wrath due to stigma and discrimination concerning psychiatric disorders. Dearth of proper insight and accurate knowledge regarding mental health prompts people to be cynical and judgmental about people with mental disorder as they feel they are not capable enough to continue with their work as any normal person would do. Thus, mental illness afflicted persons face difficulty in finding work, be in a steady long-term relationship, dwell in a decent housing or be socially inserted in the mainstream of society. Many people are of the opinion that persons affected by mental illness are violent or dangerous which acts to delay in procuring assistance and treatment for recovery. Thus, social isolation, unemployment, poor housing and poverty are all intertwined in case of mental health compromised person that tend to arise because of wrong portrayals.

Explain how mental ill health may have an impact on the individual including:

1. psychological and emotional
2. practical and financial
3. the impact of using services
4. social exclusion
5. positive impacts

a. A person affected by mental disorder is likely to have a dwindling state of emotions that gets triggered under certain conditions and rage from feeling sad at one instance and happy in the next moment. These fluctuating moods create problems in self-control and regulation of behaviors necessary to thrive and lead to relationships falling apart and make the person succumb to pressure.

b. People with mental illness lack the prudence and judgment to undertake decision that might actually be beneficial. Foresightedness is severely missing in such cases when they do not estimate the future and fail to stick to a proper plan. Frequent switching of jobs or inability to continue with a full time job is seen in such persons coupled with poor budgetary management. Unnecessary spending on irrelevant things put them at stake that further affects their financial status.

Psychotic Disorders

c. In situations when a person is having a mental illness, reluctance to use the therapeutic service is often seen. They feel apprehensive of using the recommended service and undergo sharp decline in their self morale and esteem, feel worthless. Discrimination and stereotype attached to mental illness by the society also major threat to them to rely on services that might be of actual help to them.

d. Lack of knowledge and proper understanding about mental illness prompts a person to show discriminating and stigmatizing attitude towards those with psychiatric disorder. As a result, they end up leaving out and not inviting the affected persons to any social gathering that cause huge repercussions in the psychiatric patients as they start to withdraw from sociality and lead a life in isolation.

e. A person having mental illness might render positive influence on those in need of help by teaching them effective coping strategies to better manage their conditions. Effective counseling is rendered to friends, families to bring forth holistic outcomes.

 Explain how mental ill health may have an impact on those in the individual’s familial, social or work network including:

1. psychological and emotional
2. practical and financial
3. the impact of using services
4. social exclusion
5. positive impacts

a. In situations when any of the family members suffer from mental illness it might be extremely challenging to provide proper care for the patient. Further, it might be both physically and mentally draining to persevere through the myriad of emotions depicted by the patient. Emotional crippling may occur to tackle and console the patient through difficult scenarios.

b. Expenditures incurred due to a family member suffering from mental illness may be costly at times because of the therapeutic costs that will take up a bulk proportion of the finance. Further cancelation of trips due to unsuitable mood of the person may also cause financial loss.

c. Service utilization for the mentally ill patient may be helpful to better adapt to situations through novel techniques that in turn might account for providing a temporary relaxation for the family member who is in charge of looking after the patient.

d. A family having a mentally ill patient often encounters challenges from the society as most people would prefer not to disturb the patient and as a result end up losing contacts with the other members of the family. Caregivers, parents and spouse are likely to be secluded and avoided by others.

e. A person who has a family member suffering from mental illness is likely to be familiar with the condition and therefore express greater sensitivity and concern for other individuals who have similar conditions. Acceptance of them as part of society devoid of any prejudice or discrimination may thus be easily expected from their ends.

 Explain the benefits of early intervention in promoting an individual’s mental health and wellbeing

The opportunities for early intervention must not be undermined in case of facilitating mental health and wellbeing specific to a person. It is of surmountable significance to be able to carefully address the issues pertinent to the affected person for implementing suitable strategies that are sufficient to cater to the needs of the victim of mental illness. The mere ability to showcase empathy and helping to cope up with the difficult situations might be of relief to the mentally challenged persons as they will get to find out new techniques to deal with their troubling circumstances. Assurance given to them to tackle their conditions and information rendered to them about where to go or who to approach when in bad mood has the potential to abate threatening situations  like that of self-harming, resorting to drugs or alcohol for respite and even committing suicides in extreme situations. People with mental disorders face primary difficulty in tackling their emotions, behaviors and habits. Therefore upon early diagnosis through detection of the symptoms might be beneficial to engage them into managing these emotional and behavioral practices that in turn might favor their wellbeing. The persons suffering from mental disorders if may be made to express their emotions and taught to deftly handle their condition has the scope of deriving fruitful results. Early intervention might prevent the exacerbation of the mental health condition thereby raising the possibility for quicker recovery in the affected person. Positive impact on person’s prognosis may thus be easily expected through early interventions by giving the patient the hope that they are not alone, someone is always there to help out.