Treatment for Severely Disturbed Individuals

Currently in the United States there are many treatments available for severely disturbed individuals. The approach in their care has shifted to a community mental health approach. These individuals have been removed from institutional care and placed in the community which is commonly called deinstitutionalization. Once placed in the community these individuals participate in a combination of treatments accomplished on an outpatient basis. The use of psychotropic medications in combination with therapy has been widely utilized and accepted. During periods of crisis these individuals receive short term hospitalization and then are released back into the community. They continue with therapy and medications offered through community programs and residential care. Unfortunately because of the high demand in the American culture of care for severely disturbed individuals services offered are inadequate. Consequently many times these people end up abandoned in their mental health care. Many fill the jails, wander aimlessly, are homeless, and dysfunctional.

In contract the current treatment for severely disturbed individuals includes many additional treatment modalities. Less disturbed individuals also participate in community out patient care that has been expanded. Mental health care is more accessible to these more functional individuals many times due to the availability of health care plans that will pay for services. Their mental health care continues in the community by the use of mental health centers, crisis intervention, family service centers, and social services. It has been noted that the majority of these individuals experience and are treated for anxiety and depression. These individuals are afforded, specialized programs that address their mental health issues. These programs could include out patient mental health support for issues such as phobias, eating disorders, suicide crisis intervention, and sexual dysfunction. Even though working with a variety of disturbed individuals can be challenging the community mental health approach is attempting to address mental health needs through expanding programs that address issues through prevention.