Types of Mental Illness Treatments - Case Study Example

?Analysis and Application On the biological factors leading to the condition of Cassandra, she may be experiencing disorders of brain circuits which originate from the ways in which she was brought up by her parents and the experiences she underwent. In addition, the crisis can be explained in terms of the genetic make up of the client and the experiences she has undergone in the development stage. The idea is that Cassandra may have developed the mental illness while growing up in stressful situations. Cassandra grew up witnessing her father, an alcoholic, constantly abuse her mother. She even admits that she was sexually abused by her father. These stressful situations while growing up together with genetic make up (DNA) might have caused the mental illness. Cassandra’s mental illness can also arise due to viral infections. Viral infections normally come as a result of drug and substance abuse (Dosen, 2001). There are also several social factors that can lead to the mental illness affecting Cassandra. One social factor that may have led to Cassandra’s mental condition is her past experience with sexual abuse which is known to contribute to a high level of trauma in an individual. In addition, social stress that result from the social setting in which individuals grows is also a major contributor to mental illness (Dosen, 2001). Individuals suffering from mental illnesses may be suffering from the inability of brain systems such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine and glutamate to function normally. The individuals normally have difficulties in making appropriate decisions, have emotional influences, and are normally temperamental (Dosen, 2001). Intervention Medical diagnoses to individuals suffering from mental illnesses should be based on the signs and symptoms seen from the way they behave. The best diagnostic practice that can be used in Cassandra’s case involves an interview referred to as the mental status examination. The psychiatrist assesses the mental illness of the patient based on appearance and behavior, symptoms, and the social life circumstances that might have caused the illness (Selingam & Reichenberg, 2011). The views of other people such as a boyfriend, if alive, may be helpful in finding the best diagnosis for Cassandra. Psychosocial Treatments This type of treatment helps the patient in dealing with challenges brought about by mental disorders such as problems related to violent behavior and not having the capacity to make logical statements. Patients are taught how to deal with these challenges in their life thereby helping them to develop normal behaviors such as socializing with friends and attending school. Patients who undertake psychological treatment teachings in their lives are less likely to be hospitalized or develop severe symptoms of mental illness (Selingam & Reichenberg, 2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy The major focus of CBT is to help those patients who have not benefited from other types of medication. The form of approach in treating the patient involves focus on the patient’s thoughts and behavior. The therapist tries to assess the thinking patterns of the patient that may be causing the disorder and then tries to offer help on the best way to behave. The therapist engages in the dealing with symptoms that can never be eliminated even after the patient has taken prescribed medication. Cassandra might be suffering from a mental disorder. The best cause of action to help in the Cassandra’s case would be to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The problem affecting Cassandra might have originated from several sources. The cause of the mental illness may be biological, psychological and social (Selingam & Reichenberg, 2011). Treatment with Medication Serious cases such as that of Cassandra can be effectively treated through the use of medications. However, there are different types of medications that can be used to treat Cassandra. The first treatment in this respect involves the use of antidepressants. Several mentally ill persons have shown progress in their condition after initial antidepressant treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy can be used together with antidepressants to make the patient overcome the negative effects of the mental disorder. Antipsychotic treatment is normally used to treat mental disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The main aim behind their use is to stabilize the mood of the patient. In some instances, mood stabilizing medicines are used together with the antidepressants. Some of the mood stabilizing medicines includes lithium, divalproex and lamotrigine (Selingam & Reichenberg, 2011). Ethical Issues The patient may not have the ability to allow the physician to perform medical tests and examination so as to establishthe cause of the problem. The physician is normally allowed to perform diagnosis tests after the patient has given him or her consent. Making appointments to be treated or diagnosed by the physician often indicates an implied consent for any diagnostic procedure that may be carried out by the physician. Apart from the implied consent, there is also the informed consent. Informed consent refers to the situation whereby the client has the right to be given all facts concerning his or her health situation as examined by the physician. The patient is then required to make decision on the method of treatment after receiving the information from the physician (Saks, 2002). Informed consent means that the patient has understood the proposed treatment methods to be used by the health practitioner and the risks that may arise in each method of treatment. In addition, the patient is also expected to understand the reason as to why the treatment method is necessary. Physicians have the duty to inform patients of the available alternatives to the method of treatment and ensure that the patient understands each alternative and the risks associated with them. Further, the patient should also understand the risks that can arise if they refuse treatment. Cassandra is afflicted with a mental illness and, therefore, may not able to make appropriate decisions. If the psychiatrist decides to perform diagnosis on her without consent then they would be acting unethically (Saks, 2002). In her case, informed consent may be sought from a close relative. The crisis worker must be able to keep all the health details of Cassandra confidential. Physicians are required to keep any information concerning the health of the patient confidential. They should not discuss the information with the police officers who have detained Cassandra. All information concerning the patient health must be discussed with the patient privately. However, such information can only be share with other staff members in situations where they need to find a solution that is binding. Other departments such as the billing department will always want to see the information concerning the treatment of the patient so that they can charge the patient appropriately. Further, physicians are advised not to discuss information concerning the patient with any individual outside the office, even in cases whereby the name of the patient is not revealed. It is only the client who has the obligation to waive confidentiality (Devettere, 2009). In Cassandra’s case, the policemen are a major threat to her privacy. She is not at liberty to disclose certain information with police presence owing to the security situation. The violent behavior of the client can be controlled by isolating her. Cassandra should not be allowed to freely interact with other members of the public to avoid causing more injuries to other individuals. The isolation of the client should be done in a manner that does not violate their right. The chains used by the police should be removed as they can lead to more harm (Devettere, 2009). Dealing with clients who can cause injuries to other people is very difficult which requires the medical officers to make difficult judgments. They should effectively employ skills that are needed to avoid potential civil litigation as well as ensure that unnecessary violence is avoided in managing the client. Due to the unpredictable and violent nature of individuals suffering from mental illnesses, medical officers should take measures that do not compromise on the safety of others when dealing with individuals displaying symptoms of mental illness (Devettere, 2009). References Devettere, R (2009), Practical Decision Making In Health Care Ethics: Cases and Concepts, Georgetown University Press. Dosen, A (2001), Treating Mental Illness And Behavior Disorders In Children and Adults With Mental Retardation, New York: American Psychiatric Publishers. Saks, E (2002), Refusing Care: Forced Treatment and the Rights of the Mentally Ill. Chicago, Chicago University Press. Selingam, L & Reichenberg, L (2011), Selecting Effective Treatments: A Comprehensive, Systematic Guide to Treating Mental Disorders, New York: John Wiley & Sons. Read More