Mental health articles
OF mental health care and mentally ill
November, 2012
Kleinian psychodynamic therapy
One of the most popular psychodynamic approaches in Britain today is based on object relations theory as described by Klein (18821960). Unconscious processes and early childhood experiences are emphasised in this approach, but the main focus is on the nature of early relationships with significant others. Whether such relationships are satisfying or frustrating is an […]
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Evaluation of psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is best suited to the treatment of neuroses. Freud himself regarded it as unsuitable for psychotic patients and as requiring a reasonable level of education, an assessment confirmed by Luborsky and Spence (1978). Later writers such as Boker (1992) have argued that these criteria are not essential. Psychoanalysis is often described as most suitable […]
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Freudian psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis itself employs four main techniques to uncover unconscious conflicts: •free association •transference •use of leakages of information through parapraxes, body language and physiological cues •dream interpretation These are followed by interpretative comment from the therapist and time spent working through the conflict. he whole process takes place in a therapeutic environment which is carefully […]
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Types of therapeutic approaches
A therapy is a deliberate intervention which aims to treat mental disorder and make it more manageable. A therapy may be an attempt to ‘cure’ or it may be an attempt to teach the individual how to cope with the problem. What follows is an overview of the range of therapies available. Therapies can be […]
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Models of mental disorder
In the present context a ‘model’ means a view, or system of beliefs, about what causes mental disorders. Within psychology in general there are several different schools of thought, such as the behaviourist school and the psychodynamic or Freudian school, which offer competing explanations for most forms of behaviour.2 Given the complexity of human behaviour, […]
Tags: disorder, mental, mental disorder
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Classification of mental disorders
When it comes to the classification of mental disorders, it may quite reasonably be expected that different therapies will be suited to different disorders. Thus it is essential to establish a reliable and valid classification system at the outset, so that we can identify a disorder and then prescribe a suitable treatment. As mentioned in […]
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Criteria for defining abnormal behaviour
Abnormal behaviour has been defined using five different sets of criteria: •statistical criteria define it as deviation from the average •deviation-from-the-norm criteria define it as deviation from expected ways of behaving •mental health criteria define it as the absence of socially desirable characteristics and behaviours (Jahoda 1958) •social/psychological criteria define it by the presence of […]
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The concept of abnormality-Who needs treatment?
Before we can begin to describe and evaluate the different types of treatment that are available for mental disorder, it is essential to consider first what exactly we mean by ‘mental disorder’ or ‘abnormality’. Despite the fact that most cultures have acknowledged the existence of mental problems in some form, there are considerable discrepancies between […]
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Principles of Cognitive Therapy with Personality Disorders
Because of the rigidity and primacy of dysfunctional schemas in individuals with personality disorders, cognitive therapy goes beyond the cognitive and behavioral interventions used in the treatment of Axis I disorders and includes strategies to increase collaboration and confront schemas. Specifically, cognitive therapy for personality disorders integrates cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and experiential techniques. Compared to […]
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Tests of the Cognitive Theory of Personality Disorders
According to cognitive theory, the essence of a personality disorder is revealed in the dysfunctional beliefs that characterize and perpetuate it (Beck et al., 1990; Pretzer & Beck, 1996). Early investigations of the association between dysfunctional cognitions and personality disorders provide general support for the cognitive model. O’Leary et al. (1991) found that scores on […]
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