Mental health disorders

Mental Health Disorders

Cross All Borders

Carol Hall

Mike Hawkins

Peter Jabbour

Contents

• Introduction

• Cognitive Behavioural TherapyDepression

Anxiety

Bipolar

Schizophrenia

Anorexia Nervosa

• MedicationsDepression

Anxiety

Bipolar

Schizophrenia

Anorexia Nervosa

• PsychotherapyDepression

Anxiety

Bipolar

Schizophrenia

Anorexia Nervosa

• Conclusion

• References

Introduction

The aim of this article is to compare the different treatment

methods of some of the most common mental health disorders

that we face today as a modern society. Mental Health knows no

barriers when it comes to race or socio-economic background.

Mental Health professionals come from varying different

backgrounds: Counsellors, psychotherapist’s, psychologists and

psychiatrists. They all use some form of psychotherapy or ‘talking

therapy’. However it is only the psychiatrist that can prescribe

medication a long side their

chosen form of psychotherapy which is usually psychoanalysis

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Depression

Cognitive behavioural therapy treatments include recognising the

negative automatic thoughts and disputing them. Using

distractions from the negativity and disputing those automated

thoughts by challenging the thoughts with contrasting evidence.

Then develop positive explanations and question the negative

assumptions. (Black Dog Institute, 2013)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Anxiety

The belief is that if you think realistic, helpful thoughts your anxiety

will decrease. CBT involves education about anxiety, exposure

therapy (both imagined and real life situations), relaxation training

and slow breathing. (Madigan, 2012)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Bipolar

Therapy is structured, with an agenda. Homework (between-

treatment therapy) is a key component. Assessment

and tracking are common, as well as guide treatment. These

involve mood monitoring, recording ones thoughts, activity logs,

and tracking of behaviours for change. (Culver, 2009)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Schizophrenia

The ABC model is used to give the patient a way of organising

confusing experiences. It involves slowly and thoroughly moving

the patient through the various steps using Socratic questioning to

clarify the links between the emotional distresses the patient is

experiencing and the beliefs they hold. (Hansen et al, 2006)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Anorexia nervosa

To treat eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, CBT can be

used to change how one thinks and feels about food, eating, and

body image. It is also done to help correct poor eating habits and

prevent relapse. (Husney & Agras, 2011)

Medications

Depression

Depression is a common affective disorder that affects our ability

to function on a daily basis. The 3 drug groups to treat depression

are anti-depressants, tranquilisers and anti-manic drugs (Blackdog

Institute, 2013)

Medications

Anxiety

Symptoms of anxiety include palpitations, headache, sweating,

breathlessness and butterflies or a feeling of dread. All of these

feelings and symptoms relate to the perceived threat or danger

from what is normal. The class of drugs given typically are

benzodiazepines, which work on the receptors of the CNS to relax

muscles and can act as a sedative. (Australian Psychological

Society, 2013)

Medications

Bipolar

Bipolar is a manic depressive disorder marked by extreme highs

(mania) and lows (depression) with psychotic episodes. Drugs

used to treat bipolar are known as anti-psychotics and mood

stabilisers. (Blackdog Institute, 2013)

)

Medications

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mix of mood disorders, thought, and anxiety

disorders. Drugs from the anti-psychotic, anti-depressant and anti-

anxiety drug groups are used. While they do not cure the disorder

they are thought to rebalance the chemical imbalances in the

brain. (Grohol, 2011)

Medications

Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is the condition of self-starving due to a belief

that you are overweight. Treatment can be more challenging in this

area, so a multi-disciplinary approach is often required. Drugs

used in this disorder are typically anti-depressants and

antipsychotics. (Grohol, 2008)

Psychotherapy

Depression

Psychotherapy can be an effective treatment plan for depression.

It can help patients see the behaviours, emotions and ideas that

have been contributing factors to their mental illness. From here

strategies can be developed to help the client restructure their way

of thinking concerning their negative thoughts and beliefs that they

may have about themselves and the outside world. (Joseph

Goldberg MD, 2012)

Psychotherapy

Anxiety

When it comes to anxiety disorders “cognitive-behavioural therapy"

(CBT) which is a form of psychotherapy has been shown to be a

very successful treatment method to combat anxiety disorders.

(“Anxiety disorders and effective treatments,” 2010)

Psychotherapy

Bipolar

Psychotherapy has several treatment modalities that can

effectively help with bipolar disorder: Cognitive therapy,

Interpersonal therapy, Social rhythm therapy (Joseph Goldberg

MD, 2013)

Psychotherapy

Schizophrenia

Effective forms of treatment combining medication (Dickerson FB

& Lehman AF, 2011) with psychotherapy modalities: Meta

cognitive therapy, narrative therapies, and mindfulness therapy

have been shown to be very useful in dealing with schizophrenia.

Psychotherapy

Anorexia Nervosa

Psychotherapy uses cognitive analytic therapy for people with

eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa to help them gain an

insight into their behaviours that have led to the origin of the

disorder. (Psychotherapy, 2013) It has been found to be a very

effective form of psychotherapy.

Psychotherapy

Anorexia Nervosa

Psychotherapy uses cognitive analytic therapy for people with

eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa to help them gain an

insight into their behaviours that have led to the origin of the

disorder. (Psychotherapy, 2013) It has been found to be a very

effective form of psychotherapy.

Conclusion

There are many ways for mental health professionals to treat

mental health disorders. Different modalities can be used to treat

the various mental illnesses in therapeutic ways. By helping the

patient come to terms with their own perceptions of their mental

illness, whether it is depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia or

eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa

With a multidisciplinary approach, treatments are available and

are accepted worldwide that can provide care that one treatment

on its own may not provide. Whilst used in conjunction with other

modalities such as medications, psychotherapy and CBT. This can

be used to provide holistic care for the patient.

References

Black Dog Institute (2013) Thinking Your Way Out Of Depression. Retrieved May 8, 2013,

from http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/CBT_JillianBall.pdf

Madigan, C (2012, July) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety. Retrieved May 8, 2013,

from http://www.anxietyaustralia.com.au/treatment-options/cognitive-behavioural-therapy/

Culver, L J (2009) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved May 8, 2013,

from http://bipolar.stanford.edu/documents/DrCulverEducationDay2009.pdf

Hansen L, Kingdon D., Turkington, D (June, 2006) The ABCs of Cognitive-Behavioural

Therapy for Schizophrenia, Retrieved May 8, 2013, from

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/schizophrenia/content/article/10168/51321

Husney A, Agras, W S (August, 2011) Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for

Eating Disorders, Retrieved May 8, 2013, from

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-eating-disorders

Grohol, J. M. (October, 2008). Treatment for Anorexia. Retrieved May 13, 2013,

from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/eating_disorders/

Grohol, J. M. (September, 2011). Schizophrenia Treatment. Retrieved May 9, 2013,

from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx31t.htm

References

Black Dog Institute (March, 2013). Depression Explained. Retrieved May 7, 2013, from

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/depression/depressionexplained/index.cfm

Black Dog Institute (January, 2009). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved May 13, 2013, from

http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/bipolardisorder/treatments/bipolardisorder.cfm

Australian Psychological Society (April, 2013). Understanding and Managing Anxiety. Retrieved

April 28, 2013, from http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/anxiety/#s5

Australian Psychological Society (2013, April). Understanding and Managing Anxiety. Retrieved

April 29, 2013 from http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/anxiety/#s5

Joseph Goldberg (July 24, 2012) Psychotherapy to treat depression. Retrieved April 24, 2013,

from http://www.webmd.com/depression/psychotherapy-treat-depression

References

(“Anxiety disorders and effective treatments,” 2010) Retrieved April 24, 2013,

from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/anxiety-treatment.aspx

Joseph Goldberg MD (Feb 01, 2013. Psychotherapy for bipolar disorder. Retrieved April 24, 2013

from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/psychotherapy-bipolar-disorder

Dickerson FB, Lehman AF (2011) Evidence-based psychotherapy for schizophrenia:2011

update. Retrieved April 24 2013 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21814072

Psychotherapy (2013). Retrieved April 24 2013

from http://www.nedc.com.au/psychotherapy