Mental Illness and Substance Abuse - Research Paper Example

?"Mental Illness and Substance Abuse" Psychology is perceived as a field which deals with the mentally challenged individuals but in today's scenario, psychology encompasses a study of individual's brainpower and performance. It is an understanding towards deliberations, thinking, feelings and actions that are being displayed by an individual and finds application in every aspect of life comprising physical and mental well being, self-help, ergonomics implicating health and daily life. Studies reveal that the mental makeup of the individual is basically driven by psychology and hence psychology plays a vital role in defining, shaping the perception and motives of individuals. In this respect, there exist a direct relation between psychology and individuals' mental well-being (Cherry). Psychology empowers individual to identify circumstances, find out the possible solution to any problem, react towards an imposed condition, commit to memory and thoughts, paving way for the cognitive outcome. A positive and motivated individual is sure to maintain harmony and discipline, thereby contribute towards the development of the society. Such individuals stay away from violence, preach non-violence, optimism and constructivism in thoughts, deeds and actions. A climate of change towards positivism and constructivism is the most resonating chapter in the stressful life of the current epoch as it is highly appreciated to generate a feeling of positive approach in every aspect of life (Cognitive Psychology). Any activity that affects the performance or behavior of an individual is designated as behavior or mental process. Mental process encompasses different cognitive operations which are essential in learning process, procuring knowledge, reasoning, memory or learning skills, perception and outlook, attention and ability to be alert and attentive, language skills and communication, thoughts and aptitude, emotions, decision making and problem solving skills (What is cognitive psychology?). Psychology encompasses a thorough understanding of mental and behavior processes as it aids in being considerate towards brain functioning, communication and interpersonal predispositions, motivation and social behavior along with the physiological as well as neurological predilections. Psychology encompasses various aspects of human nature, comprising developmental aspects with which an individual is nurtured. The level of education, the understanding towards others, the outlook and insight of the individual (Psychology). One of the key features of psychology includes cognitive studies, as it provides an assessment of mental processes. The most characteristic feature of the psychologist is to understand the attitude as well as propensity of the individual. Cognitive understanding deals with the thoughts of the individual and hence the mental process. As an individual matures, perception and understanding about the circumstances and situations also augments. Some may have the intellect to understand others, learn about the nature and circumstances, react to an event in the more pleasing manner while others tend to be short tempered and reactionary towards a situation and display rage and anguish. In the present scenario where competition is hard-hitting and individuals are chip in a career race, an approach is desired where judgmental move toward attitude could be worked well. One has to be critical in displaying cognitive behavior towards enhanced memory power, quick and appropriate decision making temperament, organization of educational program to boost learning power. Darwin's theory is applicable in this aspect too "Survival of the fittest". An individual who is alert, knowledgeable, possess insight and depth to react towards a fastidious situation gains confidence of others along with the appreciation and approach. On the other hand individuals lacking understanding, knowledge, problem solving skills and appropriate decisive power display poor mental process and lag in accomplishments (Cognitive Psychology). Cognitive psychology was separated from behaviorism after 1950s, as it focuses on the awareness, remembrance and trouble resolving expertise. The ability or the proficiency to react to a given situation defines the cognitive temperament or the cognitive psychology of the individual. According to Neisser (1967), cognition involves "all processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used. It is concerned with these processes even when they operate in the absence of relevant stimulation, as in images and hallucinations... Given such a sweeping definition, it is apparent that cognition is involved in everything a human being might possibly do; that every psychological phenomenon is a cognitive phenomenon." In order to understand the mind process of an individual an insight about the cognitive psychology is essential (What is cognitive psychology?). Utilizing mind power Mind processes are essentially imperative to grasp the situation and thinking aptitude of others. Mind processes helps an individual to take hold of or grapple industrial organization, move of the competitor, getting ahead in the augmenting competition, designing curriculum, learning temperament, memory skill enhancement to survive in the mounting competition. Mind processes assist people belonging to numerous profession viz. engineering, research, art, designing, to know what is the need of time and what is desired by their customers. Mental process and cognitive psychology support innovation and encourages authorities to read the minds of enemies which is requisite for the military forces and other agencies to accomplish their tasks successfully and to survive efficiently in the competitive era. This approach is different from the behaviorism where learning is based on the conditioning which transpires through the environment and is not concerned with the mind processes (What is behaviorism?). Various physiological (biological) processes are regulated by means of genetic and cellular processes responsible for attitude, memory skills and learning temperament (Pinel, 2010). Numerous psychologists have proposed methodologies to enhance the memory skills. According to Miller (1956), seven is the magic number that could test the memory presentation of the individual. Other researchers have also come up to provide people with various skills to enhance their decision making power, learning temperament and interpersonal skills. A sound physical and mental health, positivity in approach leads to potentially high mental activity and enhanced mental processes and prevents from stress and other associated ailments (Leichsenring, 2003). As the age progresses the experience and perception about the situation becomes more accurate. It also depends on the family atmosphere, education level of the parents, school approach towards the developing child psychology, along with other evolutionary changes that are age and development linked encompassing language skills and memory (Myers, 2004). Cross- culture psychology is also involved in defining the behavior as well as mental processes. It displays the behavior of an individual in culturally different atmosphere, as culture tend to alter psychology. Physiological conditions such as psychopathology, nervousness and hopelessness could be associated with mental processes in different culture and language, the individual's temperament and adjusting behavior paves the way for the survival under odd situations (Gielen, 2008). The most imperative characteristic of mental process and behavior predisposition is unconscious motives, childhood experiences, conflicts, developmental issues, nurture that defines nature of the child and hence the individual. All these factors together are responsible for a congenial development as well as intellectual and paramount mental process. It is highly imperative to have a peaceful, progressive and motivating atmosphere for the absolute development of mental process (Simply Psychology). Altered mental well-being results in substance abuse Psychoanalysis is performed to understand the behavior and emotions of the individual. These factors remain hidden in the unconscious mind and generate gloom. These symptoms may in some cases be distinguished while in others it could result in individual attributes, impede performance in professional as well as personal fronts. All these affects the self esteem of the individual, hence there is a need to undergo psychoanalytic treatment. Psychoanalysis determines the chronological basis of the problem, changes that took place over point in time and enables one to deal with the truth (What is Psychoanalysis?). An abnormal/ disturbed psychological condition leads to the adoption of certain habits which provide the individual with some temporary relief from the disturbed mental state. The present study accomplishes an assessment to establish a correlation between the mental illness and substance abuse. The study gained significance by means of numerous theories comprising classic psychological theories or models, these include- Problem Behaviour Theory. Apart from these theories the article also focuses on the concepts that pave the way towards prevention of drug abuse in mentally ill individuals. Research attributes to the cultural, personal, behavioural, environmental and interpersonal attitude as well as habits responsible for the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Study reveals that environment includes relations and family atmosphere, peer, educational institutes and locality along with behavioural, cognitive and mental state of the individuals is responsible for providing a suitable atmosphere for drug dependent temperament and to cope with emotional anguish. Study discloses that poor family bond, little parental association, differences, meagre communication with adolescent, inadequate monitoring or parents' influence in consumption of drugs work as jeopardy aspects for the substance abuse (Psychology). Study divulges that peer influence may lead to the dependency on drugs; on the other hand schools work as shielding aspect for drug use in terms of academic accomplishments, edifying objectives and learning dedication. On the contrary, mentally unsound individuals display poor educational inclination; moreover school environment is not protective; responsible for plummeting out of the school and enhanced dependency on abusive agents like alcohol, tobacco or other drugs of abuse. The family bonding is responsible for the inclination of the individual towards substance abuse. A strong family bond prevents individuals from deviance towards development of abnormal psychological implications and substance abuse (Psychology). The study highlights that factors which are responsible for keeping the individual involved in cultural and familial ventures along with the family centred approach could provide emotional strength to the adolescents and youth. Strong bonding between the parents and child, along with congenial family atmosphere empowers the development of good psychology thereby prevents substance abuse. The psychoanalytic theory although old but it provides a complete picture about the individual's likes and dislikes. It is more close to the reality as the unconscious memories really trouble the individual and reminds of the incidence that proved to be the turning points in shaping the personality and thoughts of the individual. If the analysts is able to understand the cause of worry and pain then appropriate treatment and healing could be provided, on the contrary other theories such as behavioral theory facilitates one to understand the influence of the environment which itself is changing and individual may be exposed to many different kind of environment even within the same set of conditions. For instance treatment of mother with the child is different from the father and hence the environment varies. In order to treat mental illness the cause of the problem is to be rectified and the problem itself evades. Thus psychoanalytical theory proves to be a better theory in treating various levels of mental illness by understanding the cause of the trouble (What is psychoanalysis?). According to physicians they witness an augmentation in the cases where substance abuse and mental illness co-exist. According to Alan Manevitz, "Mental health problems and substance abuse are often seen together because one makes you more vulnerable to the other. The substance is not really causing the mental health problem but it can be a precipitating factor that causes the condition to manifest. In this respect, the mental health condition is already actively present when the substance abuse begins, but the patient just doesn't know it -- the problem is driving the addiction, it just hasn't yet been recognized or diagnosed". Data procured reveals the prevalence of mental illness in United States. with an estimate of 1 in 5 adults suffer with mental illness. The most prominent is the condition of bipolar disorder- a disease typified by mood swings from high level of excitation to depression. In the episode of mania, individuals display racing thoughts, irritation, lack of sleep and judgment, distraction from routine work resulting in substance abuse. A feeling of hopelessness guild and suicidal thoughts keep pondering in the mind of individual (Mental illness and substance abuse). The article emphasises on the strength of the familial interpersonal relationship. In the present scenario where the stress level is augmenting it becomes imperative to motivate culminate better understanding, better interpersonal relationships and a positive approach towards life. Believing in self-strength and building confidence depends not only on the family atmosphere and level of education and understanding of the parents but also on the supporting environment. If the feeling of belongingness and being accepted with respect could be worked out, mental illness would no longer prevail or individuals will display an inclination for substance abuse. References 1. Cherry, K. What is Psychology? Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101/f/psychfaq.htm. [Accessed on 10th November 2011]. 2. Cognitive Psychology. Available at http://books.google.com/books/about/Cognitive_psychology.html?id=la6mSK9vyIgC [Accessed on 10th November 2011]. 3. Gielen, U. P., Draguns, J. G., Fish, J. M. (2008) (Eds.). Principles of multicultural counseling and therapy. New York City, NY: Routledge. 4. Leichsenring, F., Leibing, E. (2003). The effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavior therapy in the treatment of personality disorders: A meta-analysis. The American Journal of Psychiatry 160 (7): 1223–33. 5. Mental illness and substance abuse. Available at http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/features/bipolar-disporder-and-substance-abuse. [Accessed on 11th November 2011]. 6. Miller, G. A. (1956). The magical number seven, plus or minus two: Some limits on our capacity for processing information. Psychological Review 63 (2): 81–97. 7. Myers, D. G. Theories of Emotion Psychology. (7th Edition). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. 8. Pinel, J . P. J. (2010). Biopsychology (8th Edition). Prentice Hall; 8 edition. 2010. 9. Psychology. Available at http://career.webindia123.com/career/options/health_medicine/psychology/intro.htm. [Accessed on 10th November 2011]. 10. Simply Psychology. Available at http://www.simplypsychology.org/psychodynamic.html. [Accessed on 11th November 2011]. 11. What is cognitive psychology? Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/f/cogpsych.htm. [Accessed on 11th November 2011]. 12. What is behaviorism? Available at http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/f/behaviorism.htm. [Accessed on 11th November 2011]. 13. What is Psychoanalysis? Available at http://www.med.nyu.edu/psa/psychoanalysis/. [Accessed on 9th November 2011]. Read More