Mental Health IssuesA Chapter 15 Tutorial

Created by : P r o f e s s o r H o k e r s o nA m e r i c a n R i v e r C o l l e g e

L a s t U p d a t e d : S p r i n g 2 0 1 3

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Table of Contents (TOC) Objectives

Module E Objectives #xx

Action Items Understanding Mental Illness

Stigma Mental Illness and Violence

Treating Mental Illness Effectiveness of Psychotherapy Medicating Mental Illness

In Conclusion

Module E ObjectivesBy the end of this tutorial you will be able to…

#13 – Discuss the myths about mental illness and issue of stigma

#34– Evaluate the relationship between violence and mental illness

#53 – Explain the factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy

Action items

Understanding Mental IllnessQuestion: What is mental illness?

Definition: “…a pattern of behavioral or psychological symptoms that causes significant personal distress, impairs the ability to function in one or more important areas of life, or both.” (Hockenbury and Hockenbury, 2013, p. 561)

Don’t forget! The symptoms of mental illness (also referred to as psychopathology) must be interpreted in the context of a person’s social and cultural environments.

Review: Understanding Psychological Disorders, Chapter 14 (pages 561 – 565)

The Prevalence of Mental IllnessQuestion: How prevalent are mental illnesses in the U.S.?

Summary: According to the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)… 26% of respondents reported experiencing symptoms of mental

illness during the previous year

46% of respondents reported experiencing symptoms of mental illness in their lifetime

59% of respondents received no treatment during the past year

Question: If these people had a physical health problem, would they go to the doctor?

ExplanationsQuestion: Why don’t people who suffer from mental

illness seek out help? Access

Many lack insurance that covers mental health Availability of health care providers in rural areas

Lack of education about psychological disorders

Stigma!

Video: Watch this video that explores the prevalence of mental illness and emphasizes the need to de-stigmatize it.

StigmaQuestion: What are the most commonly diagnosed

mental illnesses in the U.S.?

Read: Here is a list of the most common disorders.

Activity: Pick on of the disorders listed and think about the stereotypes of the people with that disorder-what types of behaviors would you expect from them? What type of people are they?

Read: Follow this link and read about how mental illness is portrayed in the media.

Mental Illness and ViolenceFact: One of the most prevalent myths about mental

illness is that it is inextricably linked to violence.

Review: Are people with a mental illness as violent as the media portray them? Review the Critical Thinking box in Chapter 14 (page 562)

Think about it! How is the Sandyhook Connecticut school shooter story relate to mental illness and stigma?

Read: Here is a blogger’s perspective.

Treating Mental IllnessRead: Chapter 15 (pages 610-628) presents

various types of psychotherapy that are used to treat mental illness, including:

Psychoanalytic TherapiesHumanistic TherapiesBehavior TherapiesCognitive TherapiesGroup, Family, and Couples Therapies

Activity: After reviewing these therapies you should be able to differentiate their approach to treating mental illness.

Effectiveness of PsychotherapyRead: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Psychotherapy,

Chapter 15 (pages 629 – 633).

Tip 1! “There is little or no difference in the effectiveness of different psychotherapies.” (page 630)

Tip 2! “All of these psychotherapy approaches have in common the fact that they are empirically supported treatments.” (page 630)

Read: Here is another perspective on the effectiveness of psychotherapy.

Activity: Is psychotherapy effective?

Medicating Mental IllnessRead: Biomedical Therapies, Chapter 15 (pages

635 644).

Activity: Identify how each of the following types of medications treat mental illness and which illnesses they are prescribed to treat.

Antipsychotic MedicationsAntidepressant MedicationsAntianxiety MedicationsElectroconvulsive Therapy

Therapy or medicine?Read: Comparing Psychotherapy and

Antidepressant Medication, Chapter 15 (page 642)

Read: What about children? Should we be diagnosing them with mental illness? If so should we be medicating them to treat their symptoms? Take a closer look at the issue of children and mental health here.

Question: Which is more effective at treating mental illness – psychotherapy or medications?

In ConclusionMental illness is a real and serious issue in the U.S.

Although some may experience symptoms of mental illness not everybody requires help in remedying those symptoms.

There are many different approaches to treating mental illness. Psychotherapy has been empirically supported.

Medications allow for individuals to successfully manage their illness and continue with their daily activities.

There are many factors which influence the success of treating mental illness.

The characteristics of the client as well as the therapist are important determinants in sucdess.

Video: Here is a great TedTalk which nicely sums up this tutorial.

Module E ObjectivesBy the end of this tutorial you should now be able to…

#13 – Discuss the myths about mental illness and issue of stigma

#34– Evaluate the relationship between violence and mental illness

#53 – Explain the factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy