Caregivers are people who take care of elderly people. Popular belief is that many elderly are in nursing homes. Actually only about 5% of the elderly population is actually in a nursing home. Almost 90% of elderly people are taken care of by their family members. Caregivers manage medications, talk to doctors, help bathe and dress them, and take care of bills, chores, and meals. Most patients become increasingly helpless. This causes a great toll on the caregiver because of watching the physical decline of their loved one. This can become overwhelming without support. Caregivers can have caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout includes feeling depressed, constant fatigue, decreased interest in work and work production, withdrawal from social contact, increased use of drinking, feeling of helplessness and change of eating patterns. There are several treatment programs for caregivers. In 1965 the National Caregiver Support Program was created. This program authorizes funds for nutrition services, caregiver support, caregiver training, prevention strategies, counseling, group support, respite services, disease prevention and health promotion activities.
Caregivers receive education tailored to the patient and their appropriate treatment needs. Psychotherapy can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Caregivers can experience depression. Psychotherapy helps enhance morale, self esteem, coping and the sense of control for the caregiver. In psychotherapy caregivers go through cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing is the change of negative assumptions and thoughts to promote adaptive behavior. People who go through cognitive reframing are shown to have less stress and less likely to have depression. Individual counseling can be helpful as well by being designed to help support, receive education, problem solving and coping skills.
Support groups are meetings that consist of people going through similar situations. The groups are there to provide caregivers with a safe place to share emotions and experiences, seek and give advice, and exchange information. Support groups provide necessary social contact and recreation to meet family needs. They provide information about work programs and activities for elderly people.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Fundamental Attribution Error
The fundamental attribution error (FAE) is the tendency to explain our own and others behavior in terms of personality traits. This is an easy trap that is used by everyone to explain social behavior. As events occur in a person’s life they try to understand other’s behavior particularly human mistakes. When a person uses FAE they attribute too much to a person’s character and disposition. They don’t research the situation thoroughly or in context. To not fall into the FAE trap a person needs to be more balanced in explaining social behavior and or have a more accepting view of events. The Native American Indian explained FAE in the form of folk wisdom. They said “Don’t judge a man till you have walked 2 moons in his moccasins”. This is their way of seeking to comprehend social situations and behaviors in a logical way.
FAE is used by society throughout any given day multiple times. Using a folk wisdom that is a form of FAE would be “The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree”. I have experienced an example of this folk wisdom utilized by school faculty and staff to explain the behavior of one of my male school mates. Stuart is a 17 year old troubled teen. He has exhibited many signs and symptoms of an antisocial behavior and I have been told that this is his diagnosis. He has destroyed property, is agitated, has poor school performance, has disregard for others, does risky behavior and can be violent. When his situation is discussed among adults the folk wisdom of “the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree” is used to explain away his behavior. He lives in a small town, attends a small school and everyone in the area has known his family for years. Both his mother and father are alcoholics with violent outbursts and angry brawls. Even though this folk wisdom may be partially true very few people really ever attempted to figure out what was going on with him. He developed at a very young age a mistrust of his parents due to their alcoholism. The father was absent most of the time and physically abusive when he was home. His mother was a very weak mother figure and drank to solve her problems. He told me all of this and told me that he could never rely on anyone and if he asked he was ignored or beaten. He became very angry, distrustful and became misconnected from everyone especially after a sudden tragic death of his older sibling. He said his parents continued to drink to the point of being unconscious and all they ever talked about was his sister who was killed. He told me that he felt no one really ever cared about or loved him. In Stuart’s situation it appears that everyone attributed his problems to his family’s character and disposition but has not examined his life’s experiences and possible contributing factors to his antisocial behavior. He is currently incarcerated, receiving excessive psychotherapy and medication. Any time his name is mentioned the folk wisdom “The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree” is stated one more time. This example of folk wisdom has utilized the FAE.
FAE is used by society throughout any given day multiple times. Using a folk wisdom that is a form of FAE would be “The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree”. I have experienced an example of this folk wisdom utilized by school faculty and staff to explain the behavior of one of my male school mates. Stuart is a 17 year old troubled teen. He has exhibited many signs and symptoms of an antisocial behavior and I have been told that this is his diagnosis. He has destroyed property, is agitated, has poor school performance, has disregard for others, does risky behavior and can be violent. When his situation is discussed among adults the folk wisdom of “the apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree” is used to explain away his behavior. He lives in a small town, attends a small school and everyone in the area has known his family for years. Both his mother and father are alcoholics with violent outbursts and angry brawls. Even though this folk wisdom may be partially true very few people really ever attempted to figure out what was going on with him. He developed at a very young age a mistrust of his parents due to their alcoholism. The father was absent most of the time and physically abusive when he was home. His mother was a very weak mother figure and drank to solve her problems. He told me all of this and told me that he could never rely on anyone and if he asked he was ignored or beaten. He became very angry, distrustful and became misconnected from everyone especially after a sudden tragic death of his older sibling. He said his parents continued to drink to the point of being unconscious and all they ever talked about was his sister who was killed. He told me that he felt no one really ever cared about or loved him. In Stuart’s situation it appears that everyone attributed his problems to his family’s character and disposition but has not examined his life’s experiences and possible contributing factors to his antisocial behavior. He is currently incarcerated, receiving excessive psychotherapy and medication. Any time his name is mentioned the folk wisdom “The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree” is stated one more time. This example of folk wisdom has utilized the FAE.
Stress of Old Age
The natural aging process can be a very stressful event. Some people adapt better than others, but there are similar issues for anyone as they age. Their identity can be closely attached to their work and that identity decreases when they retire. The income decreases too. Adjusting to a different level of income can be very stressful. Aging can increase stress due to the fearing of becoming an invalid or even death. They are stressed with increased social isolation and loneliness. The social isolation can be increased if they begin to experience failing memory, seeing or hearing. This decreases their social input and others tend to stay away more because of the decrease in their abilities. The elder have to accept their decrease in physical attractiveness that directly affects their self image and self concept. This can be extremely difficult in a society that values youth and beauty and devalues the aged. People at any age experience stress, but coping mechanism to handle stress can drastically decreasing with the aging process. Old people can have stress because of the pressure of being old, biological changes, loss of spouses, family members, friends and even pets. Some of the more specific situations that can cause stress for the elderly are depression, substance abuse, delirium and dementia.
Depression in old people involves sadness, emptiness, low self esteem, guilt, pessimism, loss of appetite and sleep disturbances. Depression can lead to recovering more slowly and completely from heart attacks, hip fractures, pneumonia and other illnesses and diseases. Elderly people with depression are more likely to commit suicide.
Elderly people with stress can have substance abuse problems. These problems are caused by the decline in health and reduced loss of financial status. Men are 30 times more likely to have substance abuse problems. Substance abuse can cause dizziness, blacking out, secretive drinking and social withdrawal. Elderly people who are admitted to hospitals and institutions are more likely to drink. Substance abuse can be caused by the reaction of getting older, the pressures of getting old, unwanted retirement and living alone. Sometimes elderly people can unintentionally misuse medications without even knowing it by confusing medications, skipping doses and doctors over subscribing.
Elderly people can have delirium which is a mental disturbance by the clouding of consciousness. They can have difficulty concentrating, difficulty focusing, and difficulty keeping attention and thinking sequentially. They can be easily distracted by unimportant things, get stuck on a certain topic instead of answering questions, poor memory in recent events, disorientation, rambling, difficulty speaking and recalling words, difficulty reading and writing and difficulty understanding speech. They can also have agitation, irritability, combative behavior and extreme emotions of anxiety, fear, depression and anger. They can also have misinterpretations, illusions and hallucinations. Delirium is caused by diseases, infections, poor nutrition, head injuries, strokes, limited ability to perform tasks, visual and hearing impairment, dehydration, chronic and terminal illness, AIDS, surgery, stress and drugs.
Dementia can cause stress for the elderly because especially in the early stages of the dementia they are aware that they are “loosing it”. A dementia progress involves significant memory loss, loss in abstract thinking and language. Some other symptoms of dementia are the inability to remember new information, difficulty communicating, difficulty organizing and planning, difficulty in coordination and motor functions, inability to reason, paranoia, agitation and hallucinations. People with dementia can have personality changes and behave inappropriately. Causes of dementia can be due to poor nutrition, brain disease and injuries.
Mary is a 75 year old alcoholic who recently fell at her home and broke a hip. She has been having periods of delirium where she became very distracted and would burn her food on the stove. Her husband died 15 years ago and her 3 children live away and had recently been talking about moving her into a home for care. Mary is aware that her substance abuse, physical and mental health are declining and she has no close relatives to assist and keep her in her own home. Her life stressors are mounting and her coping mechanisms are decreasing. She maybe facing going into a nursing home and she is becoming depressed and thinking about ending her life.
Depression in old people involves sadness, emptiness, low self esteem, guilt, pessimism, loss of appetite and sleep disturbances. Depression can lead to recovering more slowly and completely from heart attacks, hip fractures, pneumonia and other illnesses and diseases. Elderly people with depression are more likely to commit suicide.
Elderly people with stress can have substance abuse problems. These problems are caused by the decline in health and reduced loss of financial status. Men are 30 times more likely to have substance abuse problems. Substance abuse can cause dizziness, blacking out, secretive drinking and social withdrawal. Elderly people who are admitted to hospitals and institutions are more likely to drink. Substance abuse can be caused by the reaction of getting older, the pressures of getting old, unwanted retirement and living alone. Sometimes elderly people can unintentionally misuse medications without even knowing it by confusing medications, skipping doses and doctors over subscribing.
Elderly people can have delirium which is a mental disturbance by the clouding of consciousness. They can have difficulty concentrating, difficulty focusing, and difficulty keeping attention and thinking sequentially. They can be easily distracted by unimportant things, get stuck on a certain topic instead of answering questions, poor memory in recent events, disorientation, rambling, difficulty speaking and recalling words, difficulty reading and writing and difficulty understanding speech. They can also have agitation, irritability, combative behavior and extreme emotions of anxiety, fear, depression and anger. They can also have misinterpretations, illusions and hallucinations. Delirium is caused by diseases, infections, poor nutrition, head injuries, strokes, limited ability to perform tasks, visual and hearing impairment, dehydration, chronic and terminal illness, AIDS, surgery, stress and drugs.
Dementia can cause stress for the elderly because especially in the early stages of the dementia they are aware that they are “loosing it”. A dementia progress involves significant memory loss, loss in abstract thinking and language. Some other symptoms of dementia are the inability to remember new information, difficulty communicating, difficulty organizing and planning, difficulty in coordination and motor functions, inability to reason, paranoia, agitation and hallucinations. People with dementia can have personality changes and behave inappropriately. Causes of dementia can be due to poor nutrition, brain disease and injuries.
Mary is a 75 year old alcoholic who recently fell at her home and broke a hip. She has been having periods of delirium where she became very distracted and would burn her food on the stove. Her husband died 15 years ago and her 3 children live away and had recently been talking about moving her into a home for care. Mary is aware that her substance abuse, physical and mental health are declining and she has no close relatives to assist and keep her in her own home. Her life stressors are mounting and her coping mechanisms are decreasing. She maybe facing going into a nursing home and she is becoming depressed and thinking about ending her life.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Damatic Personality Disorder
Dramatic personality disorders are emotional, project a lot of drama, and are almost impossible to have relationships that are giving and satisfying. Four personality disorders that fall under this category are anti-social, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic. People with antisocial personality disorder persistently disregard and violating other’s rights. Most people with antisocial disorder are repetitive liars, can’t work consistently at a job, are careless with money, fail to pay off debts, impulsive in their behavior, irritable in their mood, aggressive, quick to start fights and reckless in their actions and decision making. They have little regard for their own safety or anyone else, are self centered, have trouble making close relationships, have a knack for making capital at the expense of other people and will do whatever it takes regardless of the consequences. They lack moral conscience, can con, rob and are often in jail. Antisocial people have high rates for drug/substance abuse. Men are four times more likely to have antisocial personality disorders than women.
DTreatment for people with antisocial personality disorder is usually ineffective because of the person’s non-desire to change. Cognitive theorists have the clients think about moral issues and the needs of other people. They are many times placed in a therapeutic community with a structured environment and taught responsibility toward others. The person can sometimes be put on psychotropic medications as well.
People with borderline personality disorders are unstable and have major shifts in mood, unstable self image and relationships, impulsive, angry, can be physically aggressive, violent, inflict harm on others, and are troubled by deep feelings of emptiness. They can have substance abuse problems, delinquent behavior, unsafe decision making, reckless at driving and usually inflict self mutilation. 75% of borderline personality disorders have suicidal thoughts. They become furious when their expectations are not met, have recurrent fears or impending abandonment issues, frequently engage in frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined separations from people, have dramatic shifts in identity by being unable to sense themselves, and may have rapid shifts in goals, aspirations, friends, sexual orientation and dissociation experiences. People with borderline personality disorder want to maintain their own self worth.
Treatment for people with borderline personality disorders in difficult because of with their contact with reality and their misperceptions. Treatment includes psychotherapy helps with coping, emotion regulation and changes in the person’s life. Psychotherapy includes free association, empathetic settings; personnel to help them explore unconscious conflicts and have them examine their personal relationship disharmony. When a person goes in for psychotherapy they must sign a non-suicidal agreement. Their emotions overwhelm their cognitive, they only see in black and white and they have an all or nothing attitude. Dialectal behavior therapy helps them to learn to control their lives and emotions by their own self knowledge. This type of therapy is most effective when treating borderline personality disorder. Borderline personalities have a lot of rage, distrust and fear. The treatment is using self help groups, crisis hotlines and crisis management. Treatment reduces suicidal thoughts, self harm, and hospitalization. Therapy helps them set goals, improve skill building, practice relating to other people in a safe environment, and increase ability to tolerate stress. Therapy helps to develop social skills and respond more efficiently to life’s situations. Treatments focus on decreasing their anger, finding greater gratification, improve job performance and may include help with the reduction in substance abuse.
People with histrionic personality disorder are extremely emotional, seek to be the center of attention, complicate life, change to attract and impress an audience, lack sense of who they really are, draw attention by exaggerating illness, fatigues, relationships and moods and behave proactively. They achieve goals through seduction; obsess about how they look and how people view them, become too involved with romantic partners, are vain and selfish. Histrionic personalities are fake, shallow, always looking for someone to rescue them, have boundary issues and only look for the attractiveness of a romantic partner instead of depth.
Treatment for people with histrionic personality disorder are difficult to deal with because of their out languish demands, tantrums and seductiveness. They may pretend to have important insight or expertise. Cognitive therapy includes changing the belief that they feel helpless, and develop better ways to solve problems. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help recognize dependency, find inner satisfaction and become more self reliant. Insight or cognitive therapy is not recommended because they are notable to asses themselves.
Narcissistic personalities are grandiose, manipulate people have much admiration, feel no empathy for other people, extreme self involvement, impulsive, exaggerate achievements and talents, superior, arrogant, choosy about friends, and charming. They are convinced that they have great success, power or beauty. They rarely maintain long relationships, take advantage of others, and believe that people envy them. They are self sufficient because they believe that they don’t need warm relationships. People with this disorder were usually abused, or lost their parents due to divorce, adoption or death.
Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder involves working through their insecurities and defenses. Cognitive therapy redirects to focus on their opinions of others, teach them to interpret criticism more rationally, increase their ability to empathize and change their all or nothing notions. Psychotherapy includes having a milieu and family involvement. Long term therapy is used when they have poor motivation, fragile object relationships, chronic destruction and acting out and having chronic lifestyles.
DTreatment for people with antisocial personality disorder is usually ineffective because of the person’s non-desire to change. Cognitive theorists have the clients think about moral issues and the needs of other people. They are many times placed in a therapeutic community with a structured environment and taught responsibility toward others. The person can sometimes be put on psychotropic medications as well.
People with borderline personality disorders are unstable and have major shifts in mood, unstable self image and relationships, impulsive, angry, can be physically aggressive, violent, inflict harm on others, and are troubled by deep feelings of emptiness. They can have substance abuse problems, delinquent behavior, unsafe decision making, reckless at driving and usually inflict self mutilation. 75% of borderline personality disorders have suicidal thoughts. They become furious when their expectations are not met, have recurrent fears or impending abandonment issues, frequently engage in frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined separations from people, have dramatic shifts in identity by being unable to sense themselves, and may have rapid shifts in goals, aspirations, friends, sexual orientation and dissociation experiences. People with borderline personality disorder want to maintain their own self worth.
Treatment for people with borderline personality disorders in difficult because of with their contact with reality and their misperceptions. Treatment includes psychotherapy helps with coping, emotion regulation and changes in the person’s life. Psychotherapy includes free association, empathetic settings; personnel to help them explore unconscious conflicts and have them examine their personal relationship disharmony. When a person goes in for psychotherapy they must sign a non-suicidal agreement. Their emotions overwhelm their cognitive, they only see in black and white and they have an all or nothing attitude. Dialectal behavior therapy helps them to learn to control their lives and emotions by their own self knowledge. This type of therapy is most effective when treating borderline personality disorder. Borderline personalities have a lot of rage, distrust and fear. The treatment is using self help groups, crisis hotlines and crisis management. Treatment reduces suicidal thoughts, self harm, and hospitalization. Therapy helps them set goals, improve skill building, practice relating to other people in a safe environment, and increase ability to tolerate stress. Therapy helps to develop social skills and respond more efficiently to life’s situations. Treatments focus on decreasing their anger, finding greater gratification, improve job performance and may include help with the reduction in substance abuse.
People with histrionic personality disorder are extremely emotional, seek to be the center of attention, complicate life, change to attract and impress an audience, lack sense of who they really are, draw attention by exaggerating illness, fatigues, relationships and moods and behave proactively. They achieve goals through seduction; obsess about how they look and how people view them, become too involved with romantic partners, are vain and selfish. Histrionic personalities are fake, shallow, always looking for someone to rescue them, have boundary issues and only look for the attractiveness of a romantic partner instead of depth.
Treatment for people with histrionic personality disorder are difficult to deal with because of their out languish demands, tantrums and seductiveness. They may pretend to have important insight or expertise. Cognitive therapy includes changing the belief that they feel helpless, and develop better ways to solve problems. Psychodynamic therapy aims to help recognize dependency, find inner satisfaction and become more self reliant. Insight or cognitive therapy is not recommended because they are notable to asses themselves.
Narcissistic personalities are grandiose, manipulate people have much admiration, feel no empathy for other people, extreme self involvement, impulsive, exaggerate achievements and talents, superior, arrogant, choosy about friends, and charming. They are convinced that they have great success, power or beauty. They rarely maintain long relationships, take advantage of others, and believe that people envy them. They are self sufficient because they believe that they don’t need warm relationships. People with this disorder were usually abused, or lost their parents due to divorce, adoption or death.
Treatment for narcissistic personality disorder involves working through their insecurities and defenses. Cognitive therapy redirects to focus on their opinions of others, teach them to interpret criticism more rationally, increase their ability to empathize and change their all or nothing notions. Psychotherapy includes having a milieu and family involvement. Long term therapy is used when they have poor motivation, fragile object relationships, chronic destruction and acting out and having chronic lifestyles.
Community Care for Mental Patients
In 1963 the United States government passed the Community Mental Health Act because of terrible conditions found in public community mental institutions. This act gave money for the building of local community mental health centers. The community mental health act helps the patients receive a range of health services that includes outpatient therapy, inpatient care, emergency care, preventive care and after care. Effective community programs have proper coordination of patient services, short term and partial hospitalization, supervised residences and occupational training. Community mental health centers can supply medications, psychotherapy, inpatient, emergency and aftercare. The patients become better integrated into the community and function more effectively.
Short term hospitalization is only provided for a few weeks. There are day hospitals where the patient can go home at the end of the each day. After they have an improvement they are treated in aftercare. They usually have a lower re-hospitalization rate than extended institutionalization.
Supervised residencies are places where mental patients go to live because they are unable to live alone. The patients do supervised activities; have therapy sessions, and programs to help improve their social skills. They adjust to community life and avoid re-hospitalization.
Occupational training is workshops where mental patients are sheltered and can work to earn money. They are set up just like a real workplace and they manufacture things. They are taught social skills like getting paid money and are expected to be on time and come regularly.
There are some problems with community care. If there is poor coordination of services there could be an opening at a halfway house and a therapist may not know about the opening and then a mental patient will miss the benefit of the halfway house. The halfway house may change their staff around and the mental patient needs the same people providing continued contact. Another problem with poor coordination of services is that the halfway house/hospital may not tell the therapist about discharged patients and the ill person is released into the community without a plan for continued care. The community health centers have limited amounts of money so sometimes it’s difficult to offer all the services needed for severe mental patients.
My research found that there could be four possible solutions for improvement for the mentally ill within the community. The suggestions could be development of mobile crisis teams, more readily available family respite care, revision of the mental health laws related to competency, and change in the current confidentiality health laws. A mobile crisis team would help greatly. When someone falls you call for an ambulance, but when a mentally ill person has a mental breakdown within the community you call the police. Many times the police are not adequately trained in taking care of a mentally ill person. A mobile crisis team would have mental health professionals who would come out and are adequately trained to handle mentally ill people.
More respite care would help family members of mentally ill people have a break from taking care of their mentally ill family member. The ill person would be sent to short term housing so the family could be relieved from the care of the mentally ill person. This would help because the family could rest up and would be better able to take care of the mentally ill person when they returned.
There needs to be a change in the current mental health laws. Most schizophrenic people are not competent to make adequate decisions. As the current law operates a person’s competency is based on their age not their mental ability. If these laws were improved it could open doors for family members of the mentally ill so that the family could help them make competent decisions in their finances, health care, and living conditions.
The families feel completely powerless due to health confidently laws. When family is caring for a mentally ill, because of confidentiality laws, they are not allowed access to the health care decisions. By changing this law it would open doors to families so that they could better understand and assist in the medical care of their loved one.
Short term hospitalization is only provided for a few weeks. There are day hospitals where the patient can go home at the end of the each day. After they have an improvement they are treated in aftercare. They usually have a lower re-hospitalization rate than extended institutionalization.
Supervised residencies are places where mental patients go to live because they are unable to live alone. The patients do supervised activities; have therapy sessions, and programs to help improve their social skills. They adjust to community life and avoid re-hospitalization.
Occupational training is workshops where mental patients are sheltered and can work to earn money. They are set up just like a real workplace and they manufacture things. They are taught social skills like getting paid money and are expected to be on time and come regularly.
There are some problems with community care. If there is poor coordination of services there could be an opening at a halfway house and a therapist may not know about the opening and then a mental patient will miss the benefit of the halfway house. The halfway house may change their staff around and the mental patient needs the same people providing continued contact. Another problem with poor coordination of services is that the halfway house/hospital may not tell the therapist about discharged patients and the ill person is released into the community without a plan for continued care. The community health centers have limited amounts of money so sometimes it’s difficult to offer all the services needed for severe mental patients.
My research found that there could be four possible solutions for improvement for the mentally ill within the community. The suggestions could be development of mobile crisis teams, more readily available family respite care, revision of the mental health laws related to competency, and change in the current confidentiality health laws. A mobile crisis team would help greatly. When someone falls you call for an ambulance, but when a mentally ill person has a mental breakdown within the community you call the police. Many times the police are not adequately trained in taking care of a mentally ill person. A mobile crisis team would have mental health professionals who would come out and are adequately trained to handle mentally ill people.
More respite care would help family members of mentally ill people have a break from taking care of their mentally ill family member. The ill person would be sent to short term housing so the family could be relieved from the care of the mentally ill person. This would help because the family could rest up and would be better able to take care of the mentally ill person when they returned.
There needs to be a change in the current mental health laws. Most schizophrenic people are not competent to make adequate decisions. As the current law operates a person’s competency is based on their age not their mental ability. If these laws were improved it could open doors for family members of the mentally ill so that the family could help them make competent decisions in their finances, health care, and living conditions.
The families feel completely powerless due to health confidently laws. When family is caring for a mentally ill, because of confidentiality laws, they are not allowed access to the health care decisions. By changing this law it would open doors to families so that they could better understand and assist in the medical care of their loved one.
ADHD attention
The use of Ritalin in ADHD has been debated since the 1970’s. Some of the more popular debates are; it is over diagnosed, teachers want students to be on it so that they are more attentive and easier to teach, use of a stimulate with a minor who is unable to give consent, addicting, the American Medical Association is forcing it on people, along with drug company kick backs in sales. Some say that this disorder doesn’t even exist. Ritalin is a drug that is a stimulate used to treat children with ADHD symptoms. Statistics however indicate that the U.S. is the world leader in the use of Ritalin. Other debates are about the methods used to diagnosis and treat, negative stereotyping of children or there can be other diseases that can be mistaken for ADHD. The use of Ritalin has many undesirable side effects like stunting of growth, depression, insomnia, skin rashes, anorexia nervosa, headaches, pains, nervousness, dizziness, and tourette’s syndrome. The use of the drug could lead to bipolar or schizophrenia. Another controversy is that no one knows the long term effects by the use of these medications. Ritalin is a popular street drug for abuse because it is accessible and cheap which can lead to higher street crime. Ritalin and cocaine both stimulate the release of dopamine into the brain and can have similar effects. Drug users can use Ritalin by crushing and snorting, or cooking, and injecting it into their bodies with the similar effect of cocaine. Some people debate that Ritalin is ordered for a person by a physician with correct dosing unlike street drugs. If it is used properly by being taken by mouth it is absorbed by the stomach, not directly into the blood stream, therefore not addicting like cocaine.
The best treatment for this disorder is drug therapy. Therapy helps people perform tasks better, perform better in school and helps control aggression. If untreated they often can experience peer rejection because of their disruptive behaviors. Untreated ADHD combined with conduct disorders can lead to drug abuse and antisocial behavior. Behavior therapy includes using a token reward program and time outs. Psychotherapy has the child talk about things that bother them, explore negative behavior, and learn better ways to deal with their symptoms. Parenting skills training can be provided to help parents learn to understand and guide their child’s behavior. Family therapy can be provided to help siblings and relatives deal with the stress of the disorder. Social skills training can be used to teach the children about using more appropriate social behavior. Support groups can be used to give the children and parents a network of people to provide support. Ritalin is a popular drug used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However in the 1980’s there were several lawsuits made against drug production companies because of the misuse.
There are some techniques that can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Yoga and meditation help to relax the body and lessen hyperactivity. Eliminating foods with sugar and caffeine can make a difference.
The best treatment for this disorder is drug therapy. Therapy helps people perform tasks better, perform better in school and helps control aggression. If untreated they often can experience peer rejection because of their disruptive behaviors. Untreated ADHD combined with conduct disorders can lead to drug abuse and antisocial behavior. Behavior therapy includes using a token reward program and time outs. Psychotherapy has the child talk about things that bother them, explore negative behavior, and learn better ways to deal with their symptoms. Parenting skills training can be provided to help parents learn to understand and guide their child’s behavior. Family therapy can be provided to help siblings and relatives deal with the stress of the disorder. Social skills training can be used to teach the children about using more appropriate social behavior. Support groups can be used to give the children and parents a network of people to provide support. Ritalin is a popular drug used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However in the 1980’s there were several lawsuits made against drug production companies because of the misuse.
There are some techniques that can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Yoga and meditation help to relax the body and lessen hyperactivity. Eliminating foods with sugar and caffeine can make a difference.
ADHD
ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Symptoms of this disorder are failure to pay attention, making careless mistakes, failure to listen, difficult to staying focused, and trouble following through on tasks and finish work, difficulty organizing things, frequently losing things, easily distracted and forgetful. Children with ADHD become easily bored with a task if it’s not enjoyable, daydream, frequently move from one task to another, become easily confused, take longer to process information than other students and have a difficult time following instructions. Symptoms of hyperactivity involve fidgety, wandering, running excessively, difficult playing or engaging in tasks quietly, on the go activity, excessive talking, blurting out answers, difficulty waiting for their turn, interrupting and intruding on others. Children with ADHD can experience academic failure, have trouble interacting with other children and adults, tend to have more accidents and injuries, and are more prone for drug abuse and other delinquent behavior.
The causes of ADHD are abnormal activity of dopamine and abnormal frontal-straiatal regions of the brain. Genes have been linked to ADHD. Environmental factors such as smoking, premature birth, head injuries, and infection during pregnancy can play a role in its development. Children who are exposed to certain toxins found in paint are more likely to develop ADHD. Foods with artificial coloring, certain preservatives and sugar may contribute. High levels of stress and family dysfunction can have an effect as well. An actuate diagnosis of the disease is a must.
ADHD is a disease that starts in childhood and can last throughout a person’s life. Although many famous people have been diagnosed or suspected as having this disease it can be difficult to manage, live with and live around. There is much debate about the best approach in the management of this disease. The uses of Ritalin or similar products are the drug therapy for this disease. Drug therapy needs close monitoring and can show positive effects by helping people perform tasks better, perform better in school and helps control aggression. If untreated they often can experience peer rejection because of their disruptive behaviors. Untreated ADHD combined with conduct disorders can lead to drug abuse and antisocial behavior. The person can make a choice to essentially self medicate by the use of illegal drugs and can experience severe types of discipline due to their behavior.
Behavior therapy has been used in the management of the behavior that is exhibited. This could include use of a token reward program and time outs. Psychotherapy has the child talk about things that bother them, explore negative behavior, and learn better ways to deal with their symptoms. Parenting skills training can be provided to help parents learn to understand and guide their child’s behavior. Family therapy can be provided to help siblings and relatives deal with the stress of the disorder. Social skills training can be used to teach the children about using more appropriate social behavior. Support groups can be used to give the children and parents a network of people to provide support. There are some techniques that can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Yoga and meditation help to relax the body and lessen hyperactivity. Eliminating foods with sugar and caffeine can make a difference. Many people might disagree with any treatment of ADHD and even question if the disease really even exists. They feel that by treating the behavior it could suppress the person’s energy level and creativeness. There are many thoughts about this disease, but the person’s symptoms should be considered along with education to help decide the best management.
The causes of ADHD are abnormal activity of dopamine and abnormal frontal-straiatal regions of the brain. Genes have been linked to ADHD. Environmental factors such as smoking, premature birth, head injuries, and infection during pregnancy can play a role in its development. Children who are exposed to certain toxins found in paint are more likely to develop ADHD. Foods with artificial coloring, certain preservatives and sugar may contribute. High levels of stress and family dysfunction can have an effect as well. An actuate diagnosis of the disease is a must.
ADHD is a disease that starts in childhood and can last throughout a person’s life. Although many famous people have been diagnosed or suspected as having this disease it can be difficult to manage, live with and live around. There is much debate about the best approach in the management of this disease. The uses of Ritalin or similar products are the drug therapy for this disease. Drug therapy needs close monitoring and can show positive effects by helping people perform tasks better, perform better in school and helps control aggression. If untreated they often can experience peer rejection because of their disruptive behaviors. Untreated ADHD combined with conduct disorders can lead to drug abuse and antisocial behavior. The person can make a choice to essentially self medicate by the use of illegal drugs and can experience severe types of discipline due to their behavior.
Behavior therapy has been used in the management of the behavior that is exhibited. This could include use of a token reward program and time outs. Psychotherapy has the child talk about things that bother them, explore negative behavior, and learn better ways to deal with their symptoms. Parenting skills training can be provided to help parents learn to understand and guide their child’s behavior. Family therapy can be provided to help siblings and relatives deal with the stress of the disorder. Social skills training can be used to teach the children about using more appropriate social behavior. Support groups can be used to give the children and parents a network of people to provide support. There are some techniques that can help reduce ADHD symptoms. Yoga and meditation help to relax the body and lessen hyperactivity. Eliminating foods with sugar and caffeine can make a difference. Many people might disagree with any treatment of ADHD and even question if the disease really even exists. They feel that by treating the behavior it could suppress the person’s energy level and creativeness. There are many thoughts about this disease, but the person’s symptoms should be considered along with education to help decide the best management.
Antisocial
A mental illness is when a person has difficulty relating to others and themselves. Antisocial personality disorder is a mental illness that is exhibited by persistently disregarding and violating other’s rights. They have a conduct disorder before the age of 15 that includes activities such as stealing, vandalism, violence, cruelty to animals or bullying. They will be diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 18. The peak for this disorder is in the age of the 20’s but it may decrease after time. Most people with antisocial disorder are charming, have wit, manipulate and intimidate others, careless with money, fail to pay off debts, impulsive, irritable, agitated, aggressive, and violent; are quick to start fights that include physical assaults, repeatedly break the law and are reckless in their behaviors. They feel that they don’t have a problem and don’t care. They have little regard for their own safety or anyone else, they are self centered, lack remorse for hurting others, have poor and abusive relationships, have trouble making close relationships, have a knack for making capital at the expense of other people and will do whatever it takes regardless of the consequences. They lack moral conscience, can con, rob and are often in jail. Antisocial people have high rates for drug/substance abuse. Men are four times more likely to have antisocial personality disorders than women. .
There are other closely related mental diseases to anti-social such as borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personalities. These all have an odd pattern to thinking and behaving that is rigid and unhealthy. They consistently have problems in relationships, and society as a whole, including work and school. They don’t think that they are ill and blame others for their problems and infrequently seek help with their disease. Sometimes they may obtain treatment when they escalate into serious brushes with the law or with society.
Treatment for people with antisocial personality disorder is usually ineffective because of the person’s non-desire to change. They don’t believe that they have a problem and don’t really care. A person with this disorder will have many people working with them on their care if treatment is begun. The anti-social will have a family physician, psychiatrist, psycho-therapist, pharmacist, social workers and family members. The general goals of management for this person would include psychotherapy, stress and anger management, medications, and hospitalization. The hospitalization is usually utilized if the person demonstrates danger of harming themselves or others or if they are unable to care for themselves. The hospitalization can include a 24 hour inpatient, partial or day treatment program, or residential treatment. Each person must be approached in their care based on their unique situation and symptoms.
Cognitive theorists work with the clients to change unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and have them think about moral issues and the needs of other people. Psychodynamic psychotherapy uncovers unconscious thoughts and thinking and attempt to have them approach a different way. They can set up a therapeutic community of a structured environment and teach responsibility toward others. Psycho-education is an educational based program that teaches the person about their treatment, coping skills, and problem solving.
The person can be put on psychotropic medications. There are no medications that are recommended but some suggested category of medications are antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic drugs.
There are other closely related mental diseases to anti-social such as borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personalities. These all have an odd pattern to thinking and behaving that is rigid and unhealthy. They consistently have problems in relationships, and society as a whole, including work and school. They don’t think that they are ill and blame others for their problems and infrequently seek help with their disease. Sometimes they may obtain treatment when they escalate into serious brushes with the law or with society.
Treatment for people with antisocial personality disorder is usually ineffective because of the person’s non-desire to change. They don’t believe that they have a problem and don’t really care. A person with this disorder will have many people working with them on their care if treatment is begun. The anti-social will have a family physician, psychiatrist, psycho-therapist, pharmacist, social workers and family members. The general goals of management for this person would include psychotherapy, stress and anger management, medications, and hospitalization. The hospitalization is usually utilized if the person demonstrates danger of harming themselves or others or if they are unable to care for themselves. The hospitalization can include a 24 hour inpatient, partial or day treatment program, or residential treatment. Each person must be approached in their care based on their unique situation and symptoms.
Cognitive theorists work with the clients to change unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and have them think about moral issues and the needs of other people. Psychodynamic psychotherapy uncovers unconscious thoughts and thinking and attempt to have them approach a different way. They can set up a therapeutic community of a structured environment and teach responsibility toward others. Psycho-education is an educational based program that teaches the person about their treatment, coping skills, and problem solving.
The person can be put on psychotropic medications. There are no medications that are recommended but some suggested category of medications are antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic drugs.
Family Members and Scizoprenia
The typical family goes through a lot when a family member is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Society sends a clear message to the family of the mentally ill that they should care for the family member in need. Usually this role is expected of the female within the family structure. The mentally ill person creates family conflicts, can have destructive behavior, be socially inappropriate, demonstrate regression and even violence. The mentally ill person impinges on the family members and they are unable to live their lives and they can become exhausted and emotionally drained. As the symptoms continue the family may seek help for the mentally ill member, but sometimes are not believed. The family members begin to blame each other and this tears the family down. The mentally ill person can emotionally manipulate the family and the family can’t be objective because they are emotionally tied to the ill person. As the care continues the family continues to experience conflicts, feelings of guilt, and disharmony among family members. The family member may have issues themselves such as mental illness, substance abuse, poverty or physical aliments. The caregiver essentially has to put their own life on hold such as careers, intimate relationships and socialization with friends. The caregiver receives no pay for the care they provide, no vacations or holidays. They begin to realize that the mentally ill person will not ever be cured and may never get any better. The mentally ill living within the home sometimes is not capable of routine living and the home can become chaotic, disorganized, and dirty and the ill person may even have a heavy smoking habit. As the ill person continues untreated they begin to experience financial, domestic, social and emotional dependence. The family members can become drained of their own morale, overwhelmed and angry. The family can even become abusive towards the mentally ill.
When mental health care is sought the care continues with family members who are uneducated or trained to care for such illnesses. The family may have to give the mentally ill person their meds and the family is blamed for not letting them be independent but if they don’t give them the meds they refuse to take them. The family many times is blamed by others as being overprotective.
The improvement of the schizophrenic may be influenced greatly by the behavior and reactions of the relatives at home. When the schizophrenic feels positive toward relatives many times they are consequently treated better by the family. But if the family is hostile and over involved with them the rate for relapse goes up. The family should experience being included in the treatment decisions. The family can go through family and/or group therapy where they can receive educational programs that provide guidance, training and advice. They can learn to have realistic expectations, and become more tolerant to the schizophrenic. They can receive education, emotional support, develop more empathy and become less guilt ridden. The goal for the schizophrenic is to form a new pattern of communication with the family, cope with the pressures of family life, avoid troublesome reactions with family members, and reduce tension.
When mental health care is sought the care continues with family members who are uneducated or trained to care for such illnesses. The family may have to give the mentally ill person their meds and the family is blamed for not letting them be independent but if they don’t give them the meds they refuse to take them. The family many times is blamed by others as being overprotective.
The improvement of the schizophrenic may be influenced greatly by the behavior and reactions of the relatives at home. When the schizophrenic feels positive toward relatives many times they are consequently treated better by the family. But if the family is hostile and over involved with them the rate for relapse goes up. The family should experience being included in the treatment decisions. The family can go through family and/or group therapy where they can receive educational programs that provide guidance, training and advice. They can learn to have realistic expectations, and become more tolerant to the schizophrenic. They can receive education, emotional support, develop more empathy and become less guilt ridden. The goal for the schizophrenic is to form a new pattern of communication with the family, cope with the pressures of family life, avoid troublesome reactions with family members, and reduce tension.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
4 Views of Schizoprehina
There are four types of views of schizophrenia. The first one is psychodynamic view which was proposed by Freud in the early 1900’s. When the world is extremely harsh and non-nurturing a person is more prone to develop schizophrenia. The child develops a weak, fragile ego and can’t control their id. The id takes control and then they regress to the pre-ego state of narcissism consequently being extremely self absorbed and concerned with only meeting their own needs. Sometimes they can begin to hallucinate because they are not able to differentiate between their imagination and reality. Freida Fromm Reichmann, a psychodynamic clinician in 1948, developed the theory of schizophrenic mothers. She supported that mothers who were cold, domineering and uninterested in their child’s needs and are more interested in self satisfying their own needs can cause the development of schizophrenia. These two psychodynamic theorists fell out of favor due to the introduction of antipsychotic medications during the 1950’s/1960’s. Also no research supported the mother’s actions as contributing. For example I have a next door neighbor who has a biological sister who has schizophrenia. This neighbor frequently discusses the different type of theories being applied to the care of her mentally ill sister. Her therapists have agreed that her schizophrenia probably developed due to having a cold an aloof bio-mother. Her mother was under mental health care for many years and was finally permanently institutionalized with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Due to her mother’s diagnosis her therapist feels that the mental illness of the mother was passed to her daughter by genes as well as the mother’s impediment nurturing. She has also has been placed on multiple anti-psychotic drugs.
The behavioral view of schizophrenia is that operant conditioning and the continued reinforcement as the cause of schizophrenia. The behavioral therapists target the symptoms, improves self esteem, social interactions, social functioning and insight. Most people are proficient in responding to social cues. They respond in an acceptable way to satisfy their own needs and achieve their goals. Some people are not reinforced in social cues. They can stop paying attention and loss focus and tune into more irrelevant cues such as how green the grass is or a noise in their environment. The responses become bizarre and they can develop schizophrenia. They most likely can repeat bizarre behavior and they can develop schizophrenia. The sister says that her schizophrenic sister did not pay attention to expectations at home, frequently broke rules, and was frequently punished. As time progressed the sister broke more and more rules (operant conditioning), got into more trouble and was punished more (reinforced). Because of the mother’s mental illness and inadequate parenting the schizophrenic was exposed to operant conditioning and reinforcement.
An existential view focuses with the client trying to live an authentic life by being true to themselves. The theory supports that the schizophrenic life is full of problems due to early childhood experiences and/or particular social situations that caused emotional pain and suffering. The person may feel overwhelmed with reality and therefore experience bizarre behaviors, maybe even self destruction. Stress is placed upon the person to be honest about their own strengths and weaknesses. The person is encouraged to live deliberately not by default. The existential theory supports there are four areas of the schizophrenic’s life. They consist of the physical dimension of their world, their body, health and wellness, social relationships, and spiritual aspects. The neighbor’s sister’s therapist’s view is that the schizophrenia developed because of the severe trauma she experienced as a child due to having a mentally ill mother. The mother’s “craziness” and inconsistent behavior caused her to feel overwhelmed and experience emotional pain and suffering. She therefore began to develop bizarre schizophrenic behavior to help loss herself and not deal with reality.
The cognitive view of schizophrenia is the attempt to understand unusual experiences. Cognitive theorists view the schizophrenic as dysfunctional in their emotions, behaviors and thinking due to biological factors. Friends and relatives try to ignore the schizophrenic’s unusual sensations and then the family attempts to hide the truth. The metal ill person will reject all feedback and develop beliefs that they are being persecuted. The cognitive view attempts to direct them by developing goals. I am not sure if the schizophrenic sister experiences hallucinations because my neighbor will not admit that she does. But I do know that the sister ran away from home, went to Philadelphia to live by herself, wandered the streets, lived in condemned housing, ate out of restaurants garbage cans and reported to adult services due to her behavior. My neighbor states her sister left home because she felt that everyone was against her and treated more harshly than her other siblings.
The behavioral view of schizophrenia is that operant conditioning and the continued reinforcement as the cause of schizophrenia. The behavioral therapists target the symptoms, improves self esteem, social interactions, social functioning and insight. Most people are proficient in responding to social cues. They respond in an acceptable way to satisfy their own needs and achieve their goals. Some people are not reinforced in social cues. They can stop paying attention and loss focus and tune into more irrelevant cues such as how green the grass is or a noise in their environment. The responses become bizarre and they can develop schizophrenia. They most likely can repeat bizarre behavior and they can develop schizophrenia. The sister says that her schizophrenic sister did not pay attention to expectations at home, frequently broke rules, and was frequently punished. As time progressed the sister broke more and more rules (operant conditioning), got into more trouble and was punished more (reinforced). Because of the mother’s mental illness and inadequate parenting the schizophrenic was exposed to operant conditioning and reinforcement.
An existential view focuses with the client trying to live an authentic life by being true to themselves. The theory supports that the schizophrenic life is full of problems due to early childhood experiences and/or particular social situations that caused emotional pain and suffering. The person may feel overwhelmed with reality and therefore experience bizarre behaviors, maybe even self destruction. Stress is placed upon the person to be honest about their own strengths and weaknesses. The person is encouraged to live deliberately not by default. The existential theory supports there are four areas of the schizophrenic’s life. They consist of the physical dimension of their world, their body, health and wellness, social relationships, and spiritual aspects. The neighbor’s sister’s therapist’s view is that the schizophrenia developed because of the severe trauma she experienced as a child due to having a mentally ill mother. The mother’s “craziness” and inconsistent behavior caused her to feel overwhelmed and experience emotional pain and suffering. She therefore began to develop bizarre schizophrenic behavior to help loss herself and not deal with reality.
The cognitive view of schizophrenia is the attempt to understand unusual experiences. Cognitive theorists view the schizophrenic as dysfunctional in their emotions, behaviors and thinking due to biological factors. Friends and relatives try to ignore the schizophrenic’s unusual sensations and then the family attempts to hide the truth. The metal ill person will reject all feedback and develop beliefs that they are being persecuted. The cognitive view attempts to direct them by developing goals. I am not sure if the schizophrenic sister experiences hallucinations because my neighbor will not admit that she does. But I do know that the sister ran away from home, went to Philadelphia to live by herself, wandered the streets, lived in condemned housing, ate out of restaurants garbage cans and reported to adult services due to her behavior. My neighbor states her sister left home because she felt that everyone was against her and treated more harshly than her other siblings.
Diathesis Stress Model
The diathesis-stress model is a psychological theory. It can be applied to many different mental illnesses. In the situation of schizophrenia this model attempts to determine what factors give rise to a person developing schizophrenia. Although the knowledge of what factors contribute is still unknown research continues. Most researchers agree that it is caused by a combination of factors. This model attempts to show a relationship between the disease and how it relates to behavior that occurs due to biological/genetics, biochemical, and viruses combined with stress. The diathesis segment of the model means predisposition. It supports that there is a genetic predisposition but the person must also have vulnerability from childhood. The genetic vulnerability interacts with the environment and life events to trigger the behavior, psychological disorder or disease. The stress part of the theory supports that stressors contribute to the development of the disease, but researchers are unsure what quantity of stress and what kind of stress may actually trigger the disease.
Biological predisposition has been examined from many different aspects. Some researchers contribute the biological explanation due to unusual abnormal development of the brain. It has been noted that cranial ventricles are larger on some schizophrenic people. Differences in some schizophrenic’s temporal lobe and prefrontal lobes of the brain have also been noted. Many researchers question if brain circuitry is a contributing factor as well as high levels of dopamine in the brain. Research has found that immediate relatives of diagnosed schizophrenics are ten times more likely to also develop the disease. Studies with identical twins show an increase of 28% versus fraternal twins shows an increase of 17%. Also researchers think that schizophrenia may be caused by gene defects.
Stressors have also been studied. Some researchers support that the mother was exposed to stressors that caused damage to the child during the prenatal or neonatal period. The mother’s lack of prenatal care, poor diet, living in a minority social status and poverty, having depression, RH incompatibility with the child, experiencing war, toxins due to war or being exposed to influenza any one of these factors could be a significant stressor.
For example a pregnant mother may have a biological father that has schizophrenic. She is living in a war torn country, experiencing poverty and has no prenatal care during her pregnancy. After the child is born the war conditions of chaos continue. This combination of bio/genetic and psycho-sociocultural stressors could contribute to the child developing schizophrenia later in life.
Overall the more negatives a person has the higher the risk for developing schizophrenia. The model does support that a person must have predisposition to the disease and then be subjected to immediate psychosocial stress to develop schizophrenia. The significance is that although research continues there is an educated opinion that the different types of schizophrenia may give rise to different disorders. Researchers have agreed that the disease has a distinct course, bio/genetic component, psycho-sociocultural origin and therefore a distinct treatment path.
Biological predisposition has been examined from many different aspects. Some researchers contribute the biological explanation due to unusual abnormal development of the brain. It has been noted that cranial ventricles are larger on some schizophrenic people. Differences in some schizophrenic’s temporal lobe and prefrontal lobes of the brain have also been noted. Many researchers question if brain circuitry is a contributing factor as well as high levels of dopamine in the brain. Research has found that immediate relatives of diagnosed schizophrenics are ten times more likely to also develop the disease. Studies with identical twins show an increase of 28% versus fraternal twins shows an increase of 17%. Also researchers think that schizophrenia may be caused by gene defects.
Stressors have also been studied. Some researchers support that the mother was exposed to stressors that caused damage to the child during the prenatal or neonatal period. The mother’s lack of prenatal care, poor diet, living in a minority social status and poverty, having depression, RH incompatibility with the child, experiencing war, toxins due to war or being exposed to influenza any one of these factors could be a significant stressor.
For example a pregnant mother may have a biological father that has schizophrenic. She is living in a war torn country, experiencing poverty and has no prenatal care during her pregnancy. After the child is born the war conditions of chaos continue. This combination of bio/genetic and psycho-sociocultural stressors could contribute to the child developing schizophrenia later in life.
Overall the more negatives a person has the higher the risk for developing schizophrenia. The model does support that a person must have predisposition to the disease and then be subjected to immediate psychosocial stress to develop schizophrenia. The significance is that although research continues there is an educated opinion that the different types of schizophrenia may give rise to different disorders. Researchers have agreed that the disease has a distinct course, bio/genetic component, psycho-sociocultural origin and therefore a distinct treatment path.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Factors of Being Thin
An eating disorder is when a person will starve themselves to be skinny to the point of becoming unhealthy. Many factors can put a person at risk for developing an eating disorder. Ego deficiencies can be caused by a mother. The child’s interactions with the mother can lead to serious ego deficiencies. The mother will feed them in times of anxiety rather than hunger, and comfort at times of tiredness. The child will grow up confused and unaware of their own needs. They will fail to develop genuine self reliance and they will not be in control of their behavior, needs, impulses and body. The child wants to seek their own independence and some control in their life. They seek ways to become more independent and to have more control in their lives. They come to a conclusion that one way they can obtain more control and independent is by rigidly regulating the amount of food they place in their own body. Therefore they extensively control their bodies’ size, shape and eating habits. By using this type of behavior style for obtaining control and independence develops into an eating disorder.
Cognitive factors are deficiencies that contribute to a broad body distortion and therefore a person can have concerns about their body shape and weight. They willfully stick to extreme and specific dietary rules. When they break the rules they feel a lack of self control, failure and temporarily abandon all efforts to restrict their eating, and therefore binge. Binge eating is a form of anorexia. A person will binge eat sometimes taking in as much as 1,000 calories at a time and than self induce vomiting after eating. They can even take it a step further by abusing laxatives or diuretics. The eating disorder intensifies and the guilt from over eating causes them to sometimes eat more and therefore trigger more induced vomiting in an effort to correct the situation.
Mood disorders can lead to depression which can set the stage for eating disorders. Close relatives of people with eating disorders have a higher rate of developing an eating disorder. Research has found that people with eating disorders have a very low rate of serotonin, the same that is found in depressed people. The eating disorder can be helped by the use of antidepressant drugs. These drugs would be the type that helps increase stimulation of the production of serotonin.
Biological factors suggest that certain genes may leave some people more susceptible to eating disorders. If someone has an identical twin that has an eating disorder they are more likely to develop an eating disorder as well. If a fraternal twin has an eating disorder only about 20% of the other twins will develop an eating disorder. Every person has a weight set point which keeps a person at a certain weight based on genes. When a person falls below this weight brain chemicals are activated and the lost weight is gained back by producing hunger and lowering metabolism. A person with an eating disorder produces a preoccupation with the presence of food and the desire to binge and they are able to shut down the weight set point and control eating almost completely.
Societal pressures can contribute to a person developing an eating disorder. The western standard of the female beauty shows a strong preference for a thin female figure. Glorifying thinness creates a prejudice against the overweight person. People who are over weight are judged as not having self control and begin less attractive and sometimes even lower in intelligence. The fashion and movie industries stress thinness and many times reject people from jobs based upon their weight and appearance. Therefore people in fashion, acting, and modeling are much more likely to develop eating disorders.
Another factor is the family environment. As many of half of families of people with eating disorders have a history of emphasizing thinness, physical appearance, and dieting. The families are usually dysfunctional and are over involved in the details of each other’s lives and are clingy. The push by one of the family members for independence threatens the families’ harmony and closeness and may unknowingly lead that family member to develop an eating disorder. The control of eating is a way for that family member to exert their independence and control over their lives apart from the family unit.
Racial and ethical differences can have an impact on the likelihood of eating disorders. Girls in different racial backgrounds were surveyed about what qualifies as being the perfect girl. White females in America described the perfect girl as being 5’7, 100-110 pounds and look like supermodels. Females of African American families that were surveyed said that the perfect girl was smart, easy to get along with, easy to talk to, not conceited, funny, and not necessarily pretty but well groomed. The different cultures and ethnicity have an impact on the perspective of the perfect female.
Gender differences can have an effect on developing eating disorders. Women are more likely to have eating disorders than men. Men can develop an eating disorder but it’s a very rare occurrence. Men will develop them because of the requirements and pressures of a job or a sport and want a lean toned thin shape. Men are more likely to exercise to lose weight where women are more likely to diet making the female more prone for eating disorders.
Cognitive factors are deficiencies that contribute to a broad body distortion and therefore a person can have concerns about their body shape and weight. They willfully stick to extreme and specific dietary rules. When they break the rules they feel a lack of self control, failure and temporarily abandon all efforts to restrict their eating, and therefore binge. Binge eating is a form of anorexia. A person will binge eat sometimes taking in as much as 1,000 calories at a time and than self induce vomiting after eating. They can even take it a step further by abusing laxatives or diuretics. The eating disorder intensifies and the guilt from over eating causes them to sometimes eat more and therefore trigger more induced vomiting in an effort to correct the situation.
Mood disorders can lead to depression which can set the stage for eating disorders. Close relatives of people with eating disorders have a higher rate of developing an eating disorder. Research has found that people with eating disorders have a very low rate of serotonin, the same that is found in depressed people. The eating disorder can be helped by the use of antidepressant drugs. These drugs would be the type that helps increase stimulation of the production of serotonin.
Biological factors suggest that certain genes may leave some people more susceptible to eating disorders. If someone has an identical twin that has an eating disorder they are more likely to develop an eating disorder as well. If a fraternal twin has an eating disorder only about 20% of the other twins will develop an eating disorder. Every person has a weight set point which keeps a person at a certain weight based on genes. When a person falls below this weight brain chemicals are activated and the lost weight is gained back by producing hunger and lowering metabolism. A person with an eating disorder produces a preoccupation with the presence of food and the desire to binge and they are able to shut down the weight set point and control eating almost completely.
Societal pressures can contribute to a person developing an eating disorder. The western standard of the female beauty shows a strong preference for a thin female figure. Glorifying thinness creates a prejudice against the overweight person. People who are over weight are judged as not having self control and begin less attractive and sometimes even lower in intelligence. The fashion and movie industries stress thinness and many times reject people from jobs based upon their weight and appearance. Therefore people in fashion, acting, and modeling are much more likely to develop eating disorders.
Another factor is the family environment. As many of half of families of people with eating disorders have a history of emphasizing thinness, physical appearance, and dieting. The families are usually dysfunctional and are over involved in the details of each other’s lives and are clingy. The push by one of the family members for independence threatens the families’ harmony and closeness and may unknowingly lead that family member to develop an eating disorder. The control of eating is a way for that family member to exert their independence and control over their lives apart from the family unit.
Racial and ethical differences can have an impact on the likelihood of eating disorders. Girls in different racial backgrounds were surveyed about what qualifies as being the perfect girl. White females in America described the perfect girl as being 5’7, 100-110 pounds and look like supermodels. Females of African American families that were surveyed said that the perfect girl was smart, easy to get along with, easy to talk to, not conceited, funny, and not necessarily pretty but well groomed. The different cultures and ethnicity have an impact on the perspective of the perfect female.
Gender differences can have an effect on developing eating disorders. Women are more likely to have eating disorders than men. Men can develop an eating disorder but it’s a very rare occurrence. Men will develop them because of the requirements and pressures of a job or a sport and want a lean toned thin shape. Men are more likely to exercise to lose weight where women are more likely to diet making the female more prone for eating disorders.
Obession with Being Thin
Thinness is defined differently in different cultures throughout the world. What is considered over weight has different implications in these cultures. American culture has become obsessed with thinness. The entertainment/advertising world portrays supermodels in magazines, movies, popular T.V. shows, catalogs, billboards, advertisements along with celebrities. The United States is a country that is well educated medically. Therefore the average American is very aware of what the proper height and weight should be. The body max index (BMI) is a standard that indicates the weight appropriate for certain heights. The American attitude towards body build looks at thinness as an indication of social class, social status, sexuality, grace and discipline.
The United States has become obsessed with thinness and there is an active attitude of prejudice against people who are overweight, particularly women. On the other hand this same culture’s attitude towards obesity is that the person is stupid, sick, self indulgent, neurotic, lazy, sad and ugly. One third of people in the United States are overweight. The media, people on the streets, and health professionals say that being obese is shameful. Obese people are discriminated against too. They are discriminated against for entrance to college, obtaining jobs, and receiving promotions. If you asked Americans to name famous people they would be able to more readily know supermodels and celebrities based on their “beauty” rather than someone who has done significant accomplishments for example the government
The fashion industry has had a huge impact on the perception of appropriate looks. The average supermodel is 5’9” in height with 125 pounds of weight. Ridiculously thin and presents with a look of gauntness. The fashion world states that the models must wear between a 2-6 dress sizes where the average American woman wears a size 12. This discrepancy can be very confusing for the average American woman. White females in America described the perfect girl as being 5’7, 100-110 pounds and look like supermodels. Different cultures and ethnicity can have an impact on the perspective of the perfect female. Obsession with thinness in the western standards of weight and weight control is responsible for the emergence of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa. It is difficult for the U.S. medical or psychological societies to know exactly how many cases of either disorder there are mainly because it is a disorder that is well hidden until it becomes a near life or death situation.
The United States has become obsessed with thinness and there is an active attitude of prejudice against people who are overweight, particularly women. On the other hand this same culture’s attitude towards obesity is that the person is stupid, sick, self indulgent, neurotic, lazy, sad and ugly. One third of people in the United States are overweight. The media, people on the streets, and health professionals say that being obese is shameful. Obese people are discriminated against too. They are discriminated against for entrance to college, obtaining jobs, and receiving promotions. If you asked Americans to name famous people they would be able to more readily know supermodels and celebrities based on their “beauty” rather than someone who has done significant accomplishments for example the government
The fashion industry has had a huge impact on the perception of appropriate looks. The average supermodel is 5’9” in height with 125 pounds of weight. Ridiculously thin and presents with a look of gauntness. The fashion world states that the models must wear between a 2-6 dress sizes where the average American woman wears a size 12. This discrepancy can be very confusing for the average American woman. White females in America described the perfect girl as being 5’7, 100-110 pounds and look like supermodels. Different cultures and ethnicity can have an impact on the perspective of the perfect female. Obsession with thinness in the western standards of weight and weight control is responsible for the emergence of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa. It is difficult for the U.S. medical or psychological societies to know exactly how many cases of either disorder there are mainly because it is a disorder that is well hidden until it becomes a near life or death situation.
Mood Changes Suicide
Mood changes, hopelessness, and dichotomous thinking are related to suicide. Mood changes can include sadness, anxiety, tension, frustration, anger and shame. It’s normal to experience a range of moods but negative thinking that continues for several weeks causing the person difficulty in functioning can be a sign of depression. People can experience a psyhache which is when they feel that the pain caused by the mood change is too unbearable to handle anymore. The pattern of thinking is the preoccupation with their problems, they lose perspective and they see suicide as the only effective solution to their difficulties. For example Terry was in a car accident and he broke his leg. He developed extreme sadness. He experienced anxiety because he was unable to work and has no health insurance. His bills started to mount causing his to feel frustrated. He became angry wondering why this had to happen to him. He continued to focus on his negative feelings and began to do less than he was really able to do. Over time he started to think about suicide as a way to get his suffering over with.
Hopelessness is seeing no hope for the future. People can develop extreme hopelessness caused by the pain. They feel that the present circumstances or their mood can never change. They are 11 times more likely to commit suicide in hopelessness. Hopelessness is one of the biggest indicators that someone will commit suicide. For example since the accident Terry believes that he may never walk again, work as a roofer or able to do things he could do before that he enjoyed like fix his car. He considers himself in financial ruins and he doesn’t see any hope for the future. He continues to think about suicide as a way out.
Dichotomous thinking is when a person only sees the extremes of a situation instead of the complexities of the situation. Because of Terry’s negative thoughts he believes that because he will not be able to work for 6 weeks he will loss all of his roofing customers. He thinks that this situation will never improve. These thoughts cause Terry to fear his future and it makes him feel like he is a loser. He feels worthless and inadequate. He is now really sure that there is only one answer to the problem, to commit suicide.
Hopelessness is seeing no hope for the future. People can develop extreme hopelessness caused by the pain. They feel that the present circumstances or their mood can never change. They are 11 times more likely to commit suicide in hopelessness. Hopelessness is one of the biggest indicators that someone will commit suicide. For example since the accident Terry believes that he may never walk again, work as a roofer or able to do things he could do before that he enjoyed like fix his car. He considers himself in financial ruins and he doesn’t see any hope for the future. He continues to think about suicide as a way out.
Dichotomous thinking is when a person only sees the extremes of a situation instead of the complexities of the situation. Because of Terry’s negative thoughts he believes that because he will not be able to work for 6 weeks he will loss all of his roofing customers. He thinks that this situation will never improve. These thoughts cause Terry to fear his future and it makes him feel like he is a loser. He feels worthless and inadequate. He is now really sure that there is only one answer to the problem, to commit suicide.
Adult vs Teens Suicide
Reasons for suicide in adults and adolescents are very different. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents and account for 11% of all deaths. Most adolescents suffer from clinical depression, low self esteem, have feelings of helplessness, and are unable to sort out their problems on their own. They have stress from poor relationships with parents, families, isolation, and bad breakups. Clinical depression can set the stage for suicide. When teens have depression they often times have a harder time dealing with parents losing their jobs. Adolescents are more sensitive, angry, dramatic, and impulsive so they react to situations differently and the likelihood of suicide is increased. Another reason for suicide can be from stress at school, trouble keeping up with the rest of the students, pressure to be perfect, and staying at the top of the class. The more stressful the background environment is the more likely suicide will occur.
Adults can suffer from mental illness, a severe disability, great pain, and they believe that the suffering is caused by the illness. This is more than they can bear and they commit suicide. One third of adults suffer from a decline in physical health and suicidal acts are more common. Another reason that adults can commit suicide is caused by an abusive environment. When they receive little or no help they can see suicide as an option. They can endure no more pain and when they think that can be no improvement. Another reason for reason for suicide attempts is because of job stress. Jobs can create feelings of tension and long term emotional strain.
Adults can suffer from mental illness, a severe disability, great pain, and they believe that the suffering is caused by the illness. This is more than they can bear and they commit suicide. One third of adults suffer from a decline in physical health and suicidal acts are more common. Another reason that adults can commit suicide is caused by an abusive environment. When they receive little or no help they can see suicide as an option. They can endure no more pain and when they think that can be no improvement. Another reason for reason for suicide attempts is because of job stress. Jobs can create feelings of tension and long term emotional strain.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Treatment for Unipolar Depression
There are three major psychological approaches for the treatment of unipolar depression. They are psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive/cognitive behavioral. Psychodynamic approaches result from the unconscious grief over real or imagined loss. People can have extreme dependence on other people which results in underlying problems. For example an adult child’s grandmother dies and they have relied on the grandmother to provide them with a car to commute back and forth from work. Upon her death the child has a problem because the car went into her estate. Then other siblings placed claim to the car and took the adult child’s transportation away. Subsequently he lost his job. A therapist could bring this problem to the surface and work through it with the client by the use of free association. Free association is when a person describes thoughts and feelings that come to their mind regardless of the significance of that thought at the time. The therapist would examine the person’s reaction through free association. The therapist would then suggest interpretations of the client’s associations, dreams, and displays of resistance and transference that occurred during the therapy. The therapists would review past event of his loss and the feelings about that event. In this case the loss of his grandmother, her car and his job. It has been noted that the most helpful psychodynamic sessions were with clients who have experienced childhood loss and trauma, long lasting emptiness, perfectionism, and extreme self criticism.
The behavioral treatment approach approaches a person’s depression that is connected to their negative mood. A person could have experienced loss of rewards in their life causing mood changes into depression. The therapist would approach the treatment in three areas. The therapist would help reintroduce clients to pleasurable events and activities, reinforce depressive and non-depressive behavior, and help to improve social skills. Studies have proven that positive activities added to a person’s life can lead to a better mood. The therapist would set up for the person a weekly schedule of social events in an attempt to engage the person. The depressed person would monitor their negative behavior and try to change their behavior in a more positive way. Therapists use the cognitive management approach which is ignoring the client’s depressive behavior and praising /rewarding constructive statements and behaviors. Often times the depressed person is encouraged to participate in group therapy where they learn to improve their eye contact, facial expressions, posture, and other behaviors that send positive social messages.
Cognitive therapy has an approach to maladaptive attitudes using a cognitive triad. This triad consists of a person’s negative thoughts about themselves, their environment and their future. This theory supports that a depressed person developed their depression by continued negative thinking. The therapy includes four basic steps used by a therapist. These steps include increasing the depressed person’s activities and therefore improve their mood, challenge the person’s constant negative thoughts, point out the negative thinking and opinion, change attitudes that the person thinks contributed to their depression. The first step is to increase activities and elevate mood. The therapist will write up a detailed schedule of hourly activities for the upcoming week. They will become more active and confident. This provides some emotional relief. The second step is to challenge automatic thoughts. They have to recognize and record their automatic thoughts and then show them to the therapist at the next session. The third step is to identify the negative thinking and opinions. They guide the client to recognize almost all the interpretations of events that have negative results and to change the style of their interpretation. The last step is to change the primary attitude.
Cognitive/behavioral therapy is a combination of both styles and treatment of a depressed person. Research has indicated that by combining these two styles of therapy the outcome is more effective.
The behavioral treatment approach approaches a person’s depression that is connected to their negative mood. A person could have experienced loss of rewards in their life causing mood changes into depression. The therapist would approach the treatment in three areas. The therapist would help reintroduce clients to pleasurable events and activities, reinforce depressive and non-depressive behavior, and help to improve social skills. Studies have proven that positive activities added to a person’s life can lead to a better mood. The therapist would set up for the person a weekly schedule of social events in an attempt to engage the person. The depressed person would monitor their negative behavior and try to change their behavior in a more positive way. Therapists use the cognitive management approach which is ignoring the client’s depressive behavior and praising /rewarding constructive statements and behaviors. Often times the depressed person is encouraged to participate in group therapy where they learn to improve their eye contact, facial expressions, posture, and other behaviors that send positive social messages.
Cognitive therapy has an approach to maladaptive attitudes using a cognitive triad. This triad consists of a person’s negative thoughts about themselves, their environment and their future. This theory supports that a depressed person developed their depression by continued negative thinking. The therapy includes four basic steps used by a therapist. These steps include increasing the depressed person’s activities and therefore improve their mood, challenge the person’s constant negative thoughts, point out the negative thinking and opinion, change attitudes that the person thinks contributed to their depression. The first step is to increase activities and elevate mood. The therapist will write up a detailed schedule of hourly activities for the upcoming week. They will become more active and confident. This provides some emotional relief. The second step is to challenge automatic thoughts. They have to recognize and record their automatic thoughts and then show them to the therapist at the next session. The third step is to identify the negative thinking and opinions. They guide the client to recognize almost all the interpretations of events that have negative results and to change the style of their interpretation. The last step is to change the primary attitude.
Cognitive/behavioral therapy is a combination of both styles and treatment of a depressed person. Research has indicated that by combining these two styles of therapy the outcome is more effective.
Interpersonal Problem Areas
There are four interpersonal problem areas that lead to depression. All of them must be treated in therapy. They include interpersonal loss, interpersonal role dispute, interpersonal role transition, and interpersonal deficits. Interpersonal loss is when a loved one dies or someone losses a relationship. During therapy the therapist encourages the client to explore their relationship with the dead person or the relationship. Most of the time the people experience delayed grief. The goal of therapy is that over time they discover new ways of remembering the dead person and to help them reestablish new interests and relationships. For example Amanda recently went through a divorce and no longer has Ben in her life. She is frozen in the past relationship with Ben and a therapist could help her examine the relationship and to move past that relationship and to expand her social life in an attempt to continue on with her life.
Another problem area can be interpersonal role dispute. This occurs when two people have different expectations of a relationship and the roles they should play to make the relationship work. The therapy focuses on the disputes and the issues that are leaving the relationship stalled and than offers ways to improve making it better. The therapist helps them to identify the dispute, make a plan of action, and work towards making changes to make the relationship better. For example before the divorce Amanda and Ben experienced role dispute. They argued about little things like who would take care of the clothes, and who would unload and load the dishwasher. This caused a role dispute and a lot of stress in the relationship. A therapist could help one or better both partners to examine the dispute, put it into perspective, express how they feel about this dispute and then make a plan such as taking turns or sharing jobs like one do the dishes and the other partner do the laundry in equal distributions.
The third is interpersonal role transition. This occurs when a major life change happens like divorce. They will feel overwhelmed by the role changes that occupancy the life changes. The therapist attempts to help the person develop social supports and new skills that due to the divorce has created. The therapist helps the person assume new roles. For example Amanda went through the divorce and moves into an apartment. She has problems adjusting to the new role transition. Her old partner always did certain things for her like taking out the garbage, and vacuuming the rug. But that person is no longer in her life so now she has to adjust to a role transition of doing the chores herself. A therapist could help her work through the stressors of adjusting to the role transition.
The fourth problem area is interpersonal deficits. The deficits could include such factors of lack of social clues, expressing oneself in a socially acceptable manner or over coming awkward in a unfamiliar surroundings. In the situation of extreme lack of social clues might prevent a person from having intimate relationships. The therapist will help them to recognize the deficits and teach appropriate social skills to improve social interactions. This therapy focuses on past relationships, the present relationship and ways to form new relationships. Perhaps some of the stress of Amanda and Ben was that Amanda would interact with Ben’s family and friends by saying insulting comments to their faces. Amanda seemed to not realize the impact her comments had on Ben’s family and friends. This interaction of lack of appropriate social clues could very well he added enough stressors so that Ben dissolved their relationship.
Another problem area can be interpersonal role dispute. This occurs when two people have different expectations of a relationship and the roles they should play to make the relationship work. The therapy focuses on the disputes and the issues that are leaving the relationship stalled and than offers ways to improve making it better. The therapist helps them to identify the dispute, make a plan of action, and work towards making changes to make the relationship better. For example before the divorce Amanda and Ben experienced role dispute. They argued about little things like who would take care of the clothes, and who would unload and load the dishwasher. This caused a role dispute and a lot of stress in the relationship. A therapist could help one or better both partners to examine the dispute, put it into perspective, express how they feel about this dispute and then make a plan such as taking turns or sharing jobs like one do the dishes and the other partner do the laundry in equal distributions.
The third is interpersonal role transition. This occurs when a major life change happens like divorce. They will feel overwhelmed by the role changes that occupancy the life changes. The therapist attempts to help the person develop social supports and new skills that due to the divorce has created. The therapist helps the person assume new roles. For example Amanda went through the divorce and moves into an apartment. She has problems adjusting to the new role transition. Her old partner always did certain things for her like taking out the garbage, and vacuuming the rug. But that person is no longer in her life so now she has to adjust to a role transition of doing the chores herself. A therapist could help her work through the stressors of adjusting to the role transition.
The fourth problem area is interpersonal deficits. The deficits could include such factors of lack of social clues, expressing oneself in a socially acceptable manner or over coming awkward in a unfamiliar surroundings. In the situation of extreme lack of social clues might prevent a person from having intimate relationships. The therapist will help them to recognize the deficits and teach appropriate social skills to improve social interactions. This therapy focuses on past relationships, the present relationship and ways to form new relationships. Perhaps some of the stress of Amanda and Ben was that Amanda would interact with Ben’s family and friends by saying insulting comments to their faces. Amanda seemed to not realize the impact her comments had on Ben’s family and friends. This interaction of lack of appropriate social clues could very well he added enough stressors so that Ben dissolved their relationship.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Depression Is
Depression is a disorder involving low mood, low self esteem, and loss of pleasure. There are a variety of theories that attempt to explain depression. These areas of research include biological, psychological, and sociocultural.
Biological perspectives of depression include genetic, biochemical, brain anatomy and brain circuits. Genetic factors include family pedigree, twin studies, adoption, and the presence of a specific gene. Family pedigree is when the person’s family is examined to see if depression is passed down within families. Twins studied had been separated at birth. Findings indicated that twins whose bio-parents were depressed, have a higher probability of developing depression than twins rose by adoptive parents. It is thought that the depression is passed down by genes. The parents of adopted depressed children that were hospitalized have a higher incidence of severe depression than non-depressed adopted children’s parents. Another cause of depression is the presence of the 5-HTT gene which is responsible for the brain’s production of serotonin transporter genes. People that have this gene have lower levels of serotonin within their brain tissue.
Biochemical factors associated with depression include neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin. It was noted that depressed people have lower levels of these neurotransmitters. But some believe that serotonin maybe a neuromodulator. This regulates other neurotransmitters. If the level of serotonin is lower there is less activity and is depression more prevalent.
The endocrine system releases hormones within the body. Some theorists have found that higher levels of cortical are released within the body during periods of stress. The higher levels of cortical caused depression to increase. Melatonin is also a hormone within the endocrine system. This hormone is released only in the dark and increases depression. When there is a higher level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) there is increased growth and survival of the neuron factor within the brain tissue and these people are less depressed.
There are several areas included within brain anatomy and brain circuits. The brain is an extensive network of nerves and circuits. Conditions within the prefrontal cortex have been found to be critical in depression. If the prefrontal cortex is not very active depression increases. Another region of the brain is the amygdala. This area has been associated with negative emotions and memories. Increased activity in this area of the brain has been linked to increases of depression. The Brodmann Area 25 is an area of the brain that is found to be smaller and more active when there is depression. Theorists think that this area may be a “depression switch” that comes and goes with episodes of depression. When the 5-HTT gene is also present the Brodmann Area 25 is also smaller and more active and therefore there is a higher incidence of depression.
The psychological view of depression was first examined by Sigmund Freud. There are similarities in clinical depression and grief. Some people are unable to accept the loss of a loved one and are stuck in the oral stage. When a death occurs they struggle more and are more prone to depression because they are still in the stage in which they are totally dependent like an infant to their parents and cannot distinguish themselves from their parents. They merge the identity of the dead person in themselves in order to regain the lost person in their mind. Then they become depressed. The psychological object relations theory states that a person’s relationship with their parents can leave them feeling unsafe and insecure. When the parent pushes their children toward excessive dependence or excessive self reliance too quickly the children are more likely to become depressed. But many people become depressed without the experience of death. When they have the concept of symbolic or imagined loss than depression can develop. In this situation the person equates their loss in some type of an event to the love of approval or love. There have also been studies with infants separated from their parents. They can become sad, cry and withdrawn. This type of depression is called anaclitic depression.
Behaviorists believe that depression results from changes in the number of rewards and punishments in someone’s life. Peter Lewinsohn developed one of the leading behavioral explanations. The positive rewards in life dwindle in some people’s lives leading them to perform fewer constructive behaviors but if their rewards begin to increase their mood increases as well.
Cognitive theorists state that people who view events in negative ways can lead to depression. Reduction in the number of rewards in someone’s life can lead to more depression. The developing of maladaptive attitudes can set the stage for negative thoughts and reactions known as the theory of negative thinking. People can also develop the theory of learned helplessness where they believe there is nothing they can do to change the negative events in their lives. These theorists also have the concept called cognitive triad. This consists of people negatively viewing their experiences, themselves and their future; therefore it can lead to depression. They also look at situations known as automatic thinking. When a person repeatedly thinks that they are inadequate or hopeless these thoughts can lead to depression.
The social cultural view of depression is greatly influenced by social context that surrounds people. The family-social perspective is people who have weak social and communication skills. People who develop weak social structures many times speak slower, take longer to respond, and pause between words in sentences. Such social deficits can make other people within their environment feel uncomfortable and consequently these people avoid such a person. This avoidance leaves the person with weak social structure. Instead of being around people and becoming more socially adept people avoid them and it can compound their depression. Depression has been linked to the inability to obtain social support. People who are isolated with no intimacy are more likely to be depressed.
The multicultural perspective examines both gender and associations between culture and ethnic backgrounds. It has been noted that women are two times more likely to develop depression than men. In the artifact theory the viewpoint is that women are more apt to seek treatment for depression than men. In the hormone explanation it is thought that depression may be triggered due to shifts of hormones within the body during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. In the life stress theory women are more prone to depression because they are more apt to live in poverty, have lower paying jobs, discrimination and home duties. The lack-of-control theory states that women are more prone for depression because they view themselves as in less control and more helpless than men. In the self-blame theory women may have more self-blame and lower levels of self esteem than men. Recently this theory has been questioned more due to changes in society. Also rumination has been contributed to depression. Women seem to continue to examine their feelings of depression and the possible causes of that depression than men; therefore they are more apt to develop depression.
Culturally it has been noted that depression is found world wide in all cultures. Researchers have noted that different countries may have different levels of the occurrence of depression, but demonstrate different signs and symptoms related to depression. Depression can be complicated when assessing multicultural aspects because of the various backgrounds and cultural values that are present.
Biological perspectives of depression include genetic, biochemical, brain anatomy and brain circuits. Genetic factors include family pedigree, twin studies, adoption, and the presence of a specific gene. Family pedigree is when the person’s family is examined to see if depression is passed down within families. Twins studied had been separated at birth. Findings indicated that twins whose bio-parents were depressed, have a higher probability of developing depression than twins rose by adoptive parents. It is thought that the depression is passed down by genes. The parents of adopted depressed children that were hospitalized have a higher incidence of severe depression than non-depressed adopted children’s parents. Another cause of depression is the presence of the 5-HTT gene which is responsible for the brain’s production of serotonin transporter genes. People that have this gene have lower levels of serotonin within their brain tissue.
Biochemical factors associated with depression include neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin. It was noted that depressed people have lower levels of these neurotransmitters. But some believe that serotonin maybe a neuromodulator. This regulates other neurotransmitters. If the level of serotonin is lower there is less activity and is depression more prevalent.
The endocrine system releases hormones within the body. Some theorists have found that higher levels of cortical are released within the body during periods of stress. The higher levels of cortical caused depression to increase. Melatonin is also a hormone within the endocrine system. This hormone is released only in the dark and increases depression. When there is a higher level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) there is increased growth and survival of the neuron factor within the brain tissue and these people are less depressed.
There are several areas included within brain anatomy and brain circuits. The brain is an extensive network of nerves and circuits. Conditions within the prefrontal cortex have been found to be critical in depression. If the prefrontal cortex is not very active depression increases. Another region of the brain is the amygdala. This area has been associated with negative emotions and memories. Increased activity in this area of the brain has been linked to increases of depression. The Brodmann Area 25 is an area of the brain that is found to be smaller and more active when there is depression. Theorists think that this area may be a “depression switch” that comes and goes with episodes of depression. When the 5-HTT gene is also present the Brodmann Area 25 is also smaller and more active and therefore there is a higher incidence of depression.
The psychological view of depression was first examined by Sigmund Freud. There are similarities in clinical depression and grief. Some people are unable to accept the loss of a loved one and are stuck in the oral stage. When a death occurs they struggle more and are more prone to depression because they are still in the stage in which they are totally dependent like an infant to their parents and cannot distinguish themselves from their parents. They merge the identity of the dead person in themselves in order to regain the lost person in their mind. Then they become depressed. The psychological object relations theory states that a person’s relationship with their parents can leave them feeling unsafe and insecure. When the parent pushes their children toward excessive dependence or excessive self reliance too quickly the children are more likely to become depressed. But many people become depressed without the experience of death. When they have the concept of symbolic or imagined loss than depression can develop. In this situation the person equates their loss in some type of an event to the love of approval or love. There have also been studies with infants separated from their parents. They can become sad, cry and withdrawn. This type of depression is called anaclitic depression.
Behaviorists believe that depression results from changes in the number of rewards and punishments in someone’s life. Peter Lewinsohn developed one of the leading behavioral explanations. The positive rewards in life dwindle in some people’s lives leading them to perform fewer constructive behaviors but if their rewards begin to increase their mood increases as well.
Cognitive theorists state that people who view events in negative ways can lead to depression. Reduction in the number of rewards in someone’s life can lead to more depression. The developing of maladaptive attitudes can set the stage for negative thoughts and reactions known as the theory of negative thinking. People can also develop the theory of learned helplessness where they believe there is nothing they can do to change the negative events in their lives. These theorists also have the concept called cognitive triad. This consists of people negatively viewing their experiences, themselves and their future; therefore it can lead to depression. They also look at situations known as automatic thinking. When a person repeatedly thinks that they are inadequate or hopeless these thoughts can lead to depression.
The social cultural view of depression is greatly influenced by social context that surrounds people. The family-social perspective is people who have weak social and communication skills. People who develop weak social structures many times speak slower, take longer to respond, and pause between words in sentences. Such social deficits can make other people within their environment feel uncomfortable and consequently these people avoid such a person. This avoidance leaves the person with weak social structure. Instead of being around people and becoming more socially adept people avoid them and it can compound their depression. Depression has been linked to the inability to obtain social support. People who are isolated with no intimacy are more likely to be depressed.
The multicultural perspective examines both gender and associations between culture and ethnic backgrounds. It has been noted that women are two times more likely to develop depression than men. In the artifact theory the viewpoint is that women are more apt to seek treatment for depression than men. In the hormone explanation it is thought that depression may be triggered due to shifts of hormones within the body during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. In the life stress theory women are more prone to depression because they are more apt to live in poverty, have lower paying jobs, discrimination and home duties. The lack-of-control theory states that women are more prone for depression because they view themselves as in less control and more helpless than men. In the self-blame theory women may have more self-blame and lower levels of self esteem than men. Recently this theory has been questioned more due to changes in society. Also rumination has been contributed to depression. Women seem to continue to examine their feelings of depression and the possible causes of that depression than men; therefore they are more apt to develop depression.
Culturally it has been noted that depression is found world wide in all cultures. Researchers have noted that different countries may have different levels of the occurrence of depression, but demonstrate different signs and symptoms related to depression. Depression can be complicated when assessing multicultural aspects because of the various backgrounds and cultural values that are present.
Learned Helplessness
The theory of learned helplessness is people become depressed when they think or feel that they have no control over the reward and punishments in their lives and that they are to fault for the way their live has derailed. The depression can also contain the facet of feelings of hopelessness. They feel that they are hopeless to do anything to change their lives. Even when they really do have control or could change situations in their life they still believe that they are completely helpless to change the situation.
Much research has been done to study the development of depression. Theories support that there are three attribution dimensions that are present that pave the way towards depression. There is an internal, global and stable mechanisms used by the person and these are compounded by the feelings of hopelessness. In the example of the fender bender the person who would be at risk to develop depression would apply these dimensions to the situation. They would use an internal thought such as “I am so stupid, I can’t drive and that is why I hit that pole” They would use the global thought such as “I have never been able to drive”. They would use the stable thought “I will never be a good, safe driver”. They could have feelings of hopelessness that may be expressed with thoughts such as: “I should not drive anymore and ask my neighbor to drive me from now on”.
Another person could experience a fender bender hitting a pole and they would have a different reaction. They would not be at risk to develop depression. They would use the specific, unstable and external mechanisms. They would not experience the feelings of hopelessness therefore not develop depression. They would use the specific thought such as: “if I had slept better last night I would have seen that pole before I hit it”. They would have unstable thoughts such as: “I really don’t know how I happened to hit that pole, this is the first time I ever hit a pole”. They would use the external thoughts such as: “the road men should never have placed a pole there
Much research has been done to study the development of depression. Theories support that there are three attribution dimensions that are present that pave the way towards depression. There is an internal, global and stable mechanisms used by the person and these are compounded by the feelings of hopelessness. In the example of the fender bender the person who would be at risk to develop depression would apply these dimensions to the situation. They would use an internal thought such as “I am so stupid, I can’t drive and that is why I hit that pole” They would use the global thought such as “I have never been able to drive”. They would use the stable thought “I will never be a good, safe driver”. They could have feelings of hopelessness that may be expressed with thoughts such as: “I should not drive anymore and ask my neighbor to drive me from now on”.
Another person could experience a fender bender hitting a pole and they would have a different reaction. They would not be at risk to develop depression. They would use the specific, unstable and external mechanisms. They would not experience the feelings of hopelessness therefore not develop depression. They would use the specific thought such as: “if I had slept better last night I would have seen that pole before I hit it”. They would have unstable thoughts such as: “I really don’t know how I happened to hit that pole, this is the first time I ever hit a pole”. They would use the external thoughts such as: “the road men should never have placed a pole there
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Psychodynamic Repression
Dissociative disorders are disruptive breakdowns in memory, awareness, identity, and perceptions. There are many things that describe dissociative disorders. Psychodynamic explanations are the repression of painful memories, thoughts, and impulses to avoid pain of facing reality. Examples could be repressed memories of traumatic childhood events, and/or abuse. The person will pretend in their mind to be another person, who is seeking safety. They could experience bad thoughts, and impulses that they unconsciously try to disown or deny by assigning these thoughts to other personalities. These personalities can be exhibited in a variety of situations and the person many times feels as thought they are observing other parts of themselves. The person is in touch with reality, but is also aware that these other personalities are subparts of their own identity.
Behavioral explanations are the drifting of the person’s mind and attempting to forget the learned response they have developed by the use of operant conditioning caused by the horrifying event. The person will do behavior that rewards them and will repeat this behavior if they than experience a positive response. If the person can reduce their amount of anxiety that surrounds the traumatic experience they can increase the likelihood of forgetting. The behavioral explanation fails to explain how a person can escape from the painful memories, how the memories grow into a complex disorder or why people develop a dissociative disorder in the first place.
State-dependent learning explanations are the observed experiments on animals. The animals are given certain drugs and taught to perform certain tasks. A certain level of arousal experienced by the animal will most likely help them to remember the memories better. People who are prone to develop dissociative disorders have a state-to-state memory that is usually rigid and narrow. Each of their thoughts, memories, and skills are tied extensively to a particular state of arousal. When they are exposed again to a memory of a certain experience that is almost identical to the situation when the original memory was first acquired the person may experience the dissociative state. Different levels of arousal may produce different groups of memories, thoughts, and abilities.
A self hypnosis explanation is a sleep like state that is suggestible. During hypnosis people remember events that have occurred but were then forgotten. Hypnotic amnesia is when people are told to do things under the hypnosis. A signal like a snap or clap is given and then they are woken up and the activities that were performed are forgotten. Dissociative disorders may be a form of self hypnosis where people hypnotize themselves to forget horrifying events and experiences that have occurred that they have in the past been unable to deal with. Usually the dissociative disorder is developed when a child is four to six years old because they are very suggestible. They separate themselves from their body, fulfilling a wish to become some other person or persons to escape the trauma.
Behavioral explanations are the drifting of the person’s mind and attempting to forget the learned response they have developed by the use of operant conditioning caused by the horrifying event. The person will do behavior that rewards them and will repeat this behavior if they than experience a positive response. If the person can reduce their amount of anxiety that surrounds the traumatic experience they can increase the likelihood of forgetting. The behavioral explanation fails to explain how a person can escape from the painful memories, how the memories grow into a complex disorder or why people develop a dissociative disorder in the first place.
State-dependent learning explanations are the observed experiments on animals. The animals are given certain drugs and taught to perform certain tasks. A certain level of arousal experienced by the animal will most likely help them to remember the memories better. People who are prone to develop dissociative disorders have a state-to-state memory that is usually rigid and narrow. Each of their thoughts, memories, and skills are tied extensively to a particular state of arousal. When they are exposed again to a memory of a certain experience that is almost identical to the situation when the original memory was first acquired the person may experience the dissociative state. Different levels of arousal may produce different groups of memories, thoughts, and abilities.
A self hypnosis explanation is a sleep like state that is suggestible. During hypnosis people remember events that have occurred but were then forgotten. Hypnotic amnesia is when people are told to do things under the hypnosis. A signal like a snap or clap is given and then they are woken up and the activities that were performed are forgotten. Dissociative disorders may be a form of self hypnosis where people hypnotize themselves to forget horrifying events and experiences that have occurred that they have in the past been unable to deal with. Usually the dissociative disorder is developed when a child is four to six years old because they are very suggestible. They separate themselves from their body, fulfilling a wish to become some other person or persons to escape the trauma.
Depersonalization Disorder
Depersonalization disorder can begin with no apparent cause, due to experiencing or witnessing an accident or assault and can be enhanced by the person’s fears of recurrent experiences. Depersonalization disorder is often triggered by extreme traumatic experiences such as abuse, accidents, war, torture, panic attacks, and bad drug experiences. This disorder can occur suddenly and without cause. It usually occurs in mid to late teens or early adulthood. It is rare in children or older adults. Its occurrence can be enhanced by the presence of other mental health disorders such as panic, depression, schizophrenia, PTSD or multiple personality. There are theories that support that this disorder may be caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Depersonalization disorder is feelings of persistent and or recurrent detachment from one’s thinking, emotions or body. This changes one’s experience and they feel that their body is unreal or foreign. They can experience the impression that they are observing themselves, most often referred to as an out of body experience. They can experience other distorted impression such as seeing that their body parts are larger or smaller than normal. They may feel like they are in a dreamlike state. They are in the dreamlike state but they are aware that their perceptions are distorted and remain in contact with reality. They can lose control of speech and actions. People often feel that time is passing by and they are not actively participating with the present.
There are additional situations that may cause this disorder and some of the more common causes can be negative stimuli, stress, physical harm, threatening social interactions, or unfamiliar environments. Factors that tend to diminish symptoms are comforting interpersonal interactions, intense physical or emotional stimulation, and relaxation. The person fears they are going crazy, have brain damage, and are losing control of their life are common complaints. Individuals report occupational limitations as they feel they are working below their ability and interpersonal troubles since they have an emotional disconnection.
Depersonalization disorder is associated with cognitive disruptions in early perceptual and attention processes. Some factors that are identified as relieving symptoms are diet, exercise, alcohol and fatigue. This disorder causes distress, interferes with social relationships and job performance.
Even though this disorder is classified in the DSM it is not considered a serious mental disorder. It can occur essentially to anyone that has a combination of risk factors and trauma. Mental health personnel feel that this disorder can be treated and is not necessarily a life long disabling event.
Depersonalization disorder is feelings of persistent and or recurrent detachment from one’s thinking, emotions or body. This changes one’s experience and they feel that their body is unreal or foreign. They can experience the impression that they are observing themselves, most often referred to as an out of body experience. They can experience other distorted impression such as seeing that their body parts are larger or smaller than normal. They may feel like they are in a dreamlike state. They are in the dreamlike state but they are aware that their perceptions are distorted and remain in contact with reality. They can lose control of speech and actions. People often feel that time is passing by and they are not actively participating with the present.
There are additional situations that may cause this disorder and some of the more common causes can be negative stimuli, stress, physical harm, threatening social interactions, or unfamiliar environments. Factors that tend to diminish symptoms are comforting interpersonal interactions, intense physical or emotional stimulation, and relaxation. The person fears they are going crazy, have brain damage, and are losing control of their life are common complaints. Individuals report occupational limitations as they feel they are working below their ability and interpersonal troubles since they have an emotional disconnection.
Depersonalization disorder is associated with cognitive disruptions in early perceptual and attention processes. Some factors that are identified as relieving symptoms are diet, exercise, alcohol and fatigue. This disorder causes distress, interferes with social relationships and job performance.
Even though this disorder is classified in the DSM it is not considered a serious mental disorder. It can occur essentially to anyone that has a combination of risk factors and trauma. Mental health personnel feel that this disorder can be treated and is not necessarily a life long disabling event.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Stress and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Stress is a result of extreme trauma in one’s life. Many people experience trauma but that doesn’t mean that they will develop a stress disorder. Other factors in a person’s life add to the mixture of the trauma and could create the development of a stress disorder. Some of these factors could include the biological, genetic, personality of the person, childhood experiences, their quality of social support, and the extent of their trauma can contribute to the possibility of developing a stress disorder.
Anxiety and depression can stay with people after a stressful situation and they can develop post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This disorder develops when a stressful situation occurs. The person experiences actual or perceived threats of serious harm to themselves, family, or friends. If the symptoms continue longer than one month after the first four weeks, or years after the diagnosis of PTSD is given. The person demonstrates a variety of symptoms that can be both biological, and psychological in nature.
PTSD can extends into additional experiences such as flashbacks, reliving the experience again and avoidance of any thought provoking activity that reminds them of the trauma, or reduced responsiveness, which is dissociation. Dissociation is when a person may feel a degree of psychological separation from their environment. The person can also experience an extreme startled response, trouble concentrating, sleep difficulties, and feel guilt that they survived or guilty about what they had to do to survive.
There are several modalities of treatment used to relieve or lessen PTSD. This treatment could include drugs, behavioral exposure techniques, psychological debriefing, insight therapy, family therapy or group/rap therapy.
Antianxiety drugs help to control the tension that people experience. Drugs can reduce the occurrence of nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks, and depression.
Exposure therapy is the most helpful intervention for stress disorders. Flooding, relaxation techniques, and eye movement desensitization techniques are used in exposure therapy. In eye movement desensitization people move their eyes from side to side while flooding their minds with images and objects that have caused extreme stress and they focus on these images or objects that they usually avoid.
A type of group therapy that a person can experience is rap therapy. Rap therapy is when people meet others like themselves and share experiences and feelings. A major issue that rap therapy addresses is the feelings of guilt. Talking about traumatic experiences can reduce the anxiety and tension.
Insight therapy treatments PTSD by attempting to uncover the deep causes of the person’s issues and than help that person eliminate defense mechanisms.
Family therapy attempts to help the traumatized person with what they are experiencing, what the family is experiencing being around them and then addresses issues to help pave the way for healing.
Group therapy of working together helps a person find that the discussion of past and present problems will improve the person’s health and psychological functioning.
Psychological debriefing helps victims of trauma by talking extensively about their feelings and reactions about the event. These sessions prevent and reduce stress. They are performed in groups. The counselors guide them to describe the details of the trauma and the actions at the event. The counselors clarify that their reactions are completely normal, provide stress management tips, and refer them to long term counseling.
Any combination of these treatments can and maybe needed to address PTSD. People who have experienced extreme trauma need the help of a trained counselor utilizing some of these techniques to help them improve the quality of their life after life altering experiences.
A combination of the therapies helps to relieve the PTSD symptoms. Anxiety, depression, and anger can make people sick. To reduce these negative emotions many times the person will undergo insight therapy, or support groups. Research suggests that that the discussion of past and present upsets will help improve the person’s health, and psychological functioning.
Anxiety and depression can stay with people after a stressful situation and they can develop post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This disorder develops when a stressful situation occurs. The person experiences actual or perceived threats of serious harm to themselves, family, or friends. If the symptoms continue longer than one month after the first four weeks, or years after the diagnosis of PTSD is given. The person demonstrates a variety of symptoms that can be both biological, and psychological in nature.
PTSD can extends into additional experiences such as flashbacks, reliving the experience again and avoidance of any thought provoking activity that reminds them of the trauma, or reduced responsiveness, which is dissociation. Dissociation is when a person may feel a degree of psychological separation from their environment. The person can also experience an extreme startled response, trouble concentrating, sleep difficulties, and feel guilt that they survived or guilty about what they had to do to survive.
There are several modalities of treatment used to relieve or lessen PTSD. This treatment could include drugs, behavioral exposure techniques, psychological debriefing, insight therapy, family therapy or group/rap therapy.
Antianxiety drugs help to control the tension that people experience. Drugs can reduce the occurrence of nightmares, panic attacks, flashbacks, and depression.
Exposure therapy is the most helpful intervention for stress disorders. Flooding, relaxation techniques, and eye movement desensitization techniques are used in exposure therapy. In eye movement desensitization people move their eyes from side to side while flooding their minds with images and objects that have caused extreme stress and they focus on these images or objects that they usually avoid.
A type of group therapy that a person can experience is rap therapy. Rap therapy is when people meet others like themselves and share experiences and feelings. A major issue that rap therapy addresses is the feelings of guilt. Talking about traumatic experiences can reduce the anxiety and tension.
Insight therapy treatments PTSD by attempting to uncover the deep causes of the person’s issues and than help that person eliminate defense mechanisms.
Family therapy attempts to help the traumatized person with what they are experiencing, what the family is experiencing being around them and then addresses issues to help pave the way for healing.
Group therapy of working together helps a person find that the discussion of past and present problems will improve the person’s health and psychological functioning.
Psychological debriefing helps victims of trauma by talking extensively about their feelings and reactions about the event. These sessions prevent and reduce stress. They are performed in groups. The counselors guide them to describe the details of the trauma and the actions at the event. The counselors clarify that their reactions are completely normal, provide stress management tips, and refer them to long term counseling.
Any combination of these treatments can and maybe needed to address PTSD. People who have experienced extreme trauma need the help of a trained counselor utilizing some of these techniques to help them improve the quality of their life after life altering experiences.
A combination of the therapies helps to relieve the PTSD symptoms. Anxiety, depression, and anger can make people sick. To reduce these negative emotions many times the person will undergo insight therapy, or support groups. Research suggests that that the discussion of past and present upsets will help improve the person’s health, and psychological functioning.
Stress
Stress is mental or physical strain caused by anxiety or overwork. Stress disorders can develop in anyone, but researchers have found some common threads that cause the increased potential to develop stress disorders. Biological symptoms of stress include perspiration, increased breathing, tense muscles, increased heartbeat, goose bumps, and nausea. Emotional symptoms of stress include horror, dread, and panic. Cognitive symptoms of stress include decreased concentration, disorientation, and remembering things incorrectly. When the body is under extreme stressful situations the sympathetic nervous system creates the flight/fight response. The hypothalamic and pituitary glands release the stress hormone ACTH and corticosteroids. Then the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body back to normal after the flight/fight response is over. The hippocampus in the brain controls memories and regulates the stress hormones working closely with the amygdala that works with the memories and connects the memories to positive or negative emotions. High levels of cortisol have been located in moms as well as in the found in baby’s blood streams that were born to moms who have experienced a very stressful situation during the pregnancy. An actual gene that may give a higher incidence to developing stress disorders has not been identified and there is a further indication of research needed in this area.
Personality can have an impact on the likelihood that someone will develop stress disorder. People who generally have positive attitudes towards life are less anxious and do better when they feel they have better control over their lives. Childhood experiences as well as poverty can enhance the likelihood of developing stress disorders. If a child has family members that have psychology issues or if a child’s parents split before the age of 10 the child can be more likely to develop a stress disorder. There can be long term effects and more potential to develop a stress disorder if a person has been abused or assaulted. Social support is another factor that can contribute to the likelihood that stress disorders develop. A weak social support system causes increased stress. If a person feels loved, valued and supported less stress will develop, but if a person has a poor support system in their family with no love and support they will have higher chances of developing stress disorders. Also victims of crime seem to do better if they are believed and supported by the legal system.
Development of good coping styles can make a difference. Possessing positive attitudes towards life, and feelings of control, with a healthy childhood, and strong social support can help alleviate the potential for developing stress disorders. This has seemed potentially consistent over all ethic groups until recently researchers have noted that stress disorders seem to develop at a higher rate in the Hispanic-American population probably due to their overall belief systems.
The severity of a trauma will have an effect on how likely a stress disorder will develop. How severe the trauma is, and how long the exposure to the trauma can lead to more stress disorders. People who have experienced being imprisoned, extensive physical injury, and seeing injury or the death of others have increased development of stress disorders.
Personality can have an impact on the likelihood that someone will develop stress disorder. People who generally have positive attitudes towards life are less anxious and do better when they feel they have better control over their lives. Childhood experiences as well as poverty can enhance the likelihood of developing stress disorders. If a child has family members that have psychology issues or if a child’s parents split before the age of 10 the child can be more likely to develop a stress disorder. There can be long term effects and more potential to develop a stress disorder if a person has been abused or assaulted. Social support is another factor that can contribute to the likelihood that stress disorders develop. A weak social support system causes increased stress. If a person feels loved, valued and supported less stress will develop, but if a person has a poor support system in their family with no love and support they will have higher chances of developing stress disorders. Also victims of crime seem to do better if they are believed and supported by the legal system.
Development of good coping styles can make a difference. Possessing positive attitudes towards life, and feelings of control, with a healthy childhood, and strong social support can help alleviate the potential for developing stress disorders. This has seemed potentially consistent over all ethic groups until recently researchers have noted that stress disorders seem to develop at a higher rate in the Hispanic-American population probably due to their overall belief systems.
The severity of a trauma will have an effect on how likely a stress disorder will develop. How severe the trauma is, and how long the exposure to the trauma can lead to more stress disorders. People who have experienced being imprisoned, extensive physical injury, and seeing injury or the death of others have increased development of stress disorders.
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