2. Mental Health Disorders & The
Medical Model
The Model: symptoms ➜ diagnosis ➜ (DSM)
determination of cause ➜ treatment ➜ cure
Model guides much of current thinking
Attempt to create uniformity in diagnosing
Researchers seek to identify chemical imbalances
associated with specific mental disorders
Criticisms of model:
Symptoms of MH disorders are generally behavioral
Behaviors are varied and can have many causes
3. Mental Disorders & Substance Use
Issues
Mood disorders— characterized by depression and/or mania
Anxiety disorders—characterized by excessive worry, fears, or
avoidance
Psychosis—a serious mental disorder involving loss of contact with
reality
Schizophrenia—chronic psychosis characterized by delusions,
hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and lack of
emotional response
Substance Induced disorders
Important considerations
4. Treatment of Mental Disorders
Early treatment
Current medication treatment
Antidepressants
Mood Stabilizers
Anti-anxiety medication
Antipsychotics
Treatment & outreach services
5. Effectiveness & Side Effects
Many report decreased symptoms and increase
in quality of life
Side effects
Toxicity
Movement disorders (tremors, muscle rigidity, shuffling
walk, masklike face)
Tardive dyskinesia
Allergic reactions & photosensitivity
Low white blood cell count
Additional factors
6. Issues Related to Drug Treatment
for Mental Illness
Decline in institutionalization; increase in
community MH centers
Benefits
Concerns
Change in role of psychiatry
Civil rights issues
From hospital to jail or the street