The Clinical Diagnosis and Cognitive Treatment of Mental Illness

     

       Mental illness is defined as “any disease of the mind; the psychological state of someone who has emotional or behavioral problems serious enough to require psychiatric intervention” (“WordNet”). 

          Since B.C. to the present day there is evidence of mental illnesses being experienced by human beings of different ages, races, and backgrounds. You can find examples in writings such as the Bible, philosophical books, and research studies. In the Bible, Job suffers emotionally and experiences symptoms we now use to diagnose mental illnesses (New American Standard Bible, Job 6:2-3). Philosophers such as Homer and Hippocrates wrote about melancholy, which is now known as depression (Van Vurst, “Mental Illness-A Christian Response”). Christians believe people are mentally weak or possessed if they have a mental illness, whereas in the 1950s "mainstream medicine" recognized mental illness as a psychological illness that must be clinically treated (“Health”). Scientists began uncovering the causes of mental illness which include biological, psychological, and environmental factors. The biological factors include: genetics, infections, brain defects, prenatal damage, substance abuse, and poor nutrition. Psychological factors include: severe emotional trauma, neglect, and inability to relate to other people. Environmental factors that contribute to the development of mental illness include: death or divorce, low self-esteem, changing jobs, and substance abuse. For most people these factors play a huge role in the development of a mental illness. 

Clinical Diagnosis

               Mental illness affects many people of many demographics. Everyone must be clinically diagnosed as having a mental illness to get the proper treatment needed for the mental illness. The psychologists or doctors will ask patients to fill out a survey or describe perceived symptoms to them in order to classify the type and severity of the mental illness the patient is suffering from. Today people suffering from mental illness are told to take medication even though it tends to be highly addictive whereas cognitive therapy can offer long-term relief from suffering. Mental illness is not caused by human weakness or demonic possession; it is usually a physiological imbalance of hormones in the brain, resulting in changes in mood, behavior, perceptions, and attitude which can be safely treated using cognitive therapy.

Cognitive Treatment 

          Therapists and psychologists use cognitive therapy to treat mental illness, which is a “form of psychotherapy using imagery, self-instruction, and related techniques to alter distorted attitudes and perceptions” (“Cognitive Therapy”). Cognitive therapy is a lifelong solution to mental illness, whereas drug therapy covers the symptoms of mental illnesses. Cognitive therapy allows the patient to get to the root of the problem and learn how to deal with situations in everyday life. 

Works Cited

DeRubeis, Robert, Steven Hollon, Jay Amsterdam, and Richard Shelton. "Cognitive Therapy vs Medications in the Treatment of      Moderate to Severe Depression FREE." JAMA Network. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. 

"Health." Mental illness, Information about Mental illness. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. 

Murielle. DID YOU KNOW? 1 OUT OF 17 AMERICANS LIVE WITH A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.. Web. 16 February 2014.

New American Standard Bible. The Lockman Foundation, 1995. Print. 

Van Vurst, Jim. "Every Day Catholic | Mental Illness-A Christian Response." Every Day Catholic  Mental Illness-A Christian Response. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014. 

"WordNet Search - 3.1." WordNet Search - 3.1. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2014.