Essay Example on Mental Health: Complex, Universal and Prevalent

Introduction

Mental health is the degree of psychological welfare of an individual or absenteeism of mental disorder. There exist several types of mental disorders that affect a considerable number of people across the globe. Complications, such as depression and anxiety, are common in society (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Besides sporadic conditions such as trichotillomania and paraphilia. Researchers note that mental disorders are complex and universal and do not entail rage, insanity, or sadness.

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The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is a new version of DSM-IV-TR that serves as the guidelines for psychiatric diagnoses. DSM contains treatment recommendations, as well as fee chargeable by medics (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Most influential and famous personalities across the globe have suffered or suffer from mental disorders. Although they enjoy celebrity status that involves living opulently, most of the times, they are faced with trials and tabulations arising from mental illness. This paper examines the life of one of the famous people in the world, his quality of life, struggles with a mental illness, diagnosis, and treatment based on DSM-5.

The Life of Robbie Williams and His Struggle with Mental Disorder

Robbie Williams has been successful in his career for over two decades. As a teenager, he participated in 'Take that' before venturing in his solo pageantry 'Angels'. Robbie Williams has lived prosperous life since his hit single propelled him to fame. He is married with three children and lives in Los Angeles. His parents ran a pub. Robbie's father was also an entertainer, an aspect that inspired him to join the entertainment industry. The celeb has fought mental disorder, self-esteem conditions, obesity, drunkenness, and substance abuse during his lifetime. He began experiencing depression while still in the boyband Take That.

His rise to fame and the need to perform are some of the contributing factors to his depression. Overindulgence in substance abuse also contributed to his mental illness (Kring & Johnson, 2018). Robbie was helped by his friend Sir Elton John who booked him into a rehab clinic to manage his drug abuse. Robbie Williams found himself in the intensive care unit after medics found abnormalities in his brain in 2017. The practitioners did several tests on his mind and had to recommend that he stays in the intensive care unit.

Depression as a Mental Disorder

Depression also referred to as major depressive disorder is a mental disorder that is common and severe. It negatively affects how an individual feels, reasons, and acts. The illness is treatable. Major depressive disorder engenders moods of despair and loss of interest in certain activities. It may cause varied physical and emotional concerns that decrease the productivity of a person (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Besides, depression results in a shift in appetite that can cause obesity or weight loss. It can also ignite thoughts of suicide or death, lack of self-esteem, and slow reasoning speed.

Diagnosis of depression is made after a consistent two weeks display of symptoms. Other medical conditions, such as brain tumor, thyroid issues, or vitamin deficiency, can imitate symptoms of depression. It is, therefore, significant to eliminate the common medical causes. Psychologists argue that sadness or bereavement (grief) differs from depression (Kring & Johnson, 2018). Research shows that depression affects everyone. Therefore as discussed in the case of Robbie Williams, people who seem to live in a comparatively perfect status are affected by the disorder. Biochemistry, personality, genetics, and environmental aspects contribute to depression.

Treatment of Depressive Disorder

Medics have noted that over eighty per cent of patients suffering from depression respond well to treatment, making the illness among the most treatable mental disorders. Most people are suffering from major depressive disorder gain reprieve from their symptoms. Medical personnel always conduct a full diagnostic assessment of a patient, which encompasses physical examination and interviews before the commencement of a diagnosis or treatment (Mackay, 2018). Ascertaining that depression is not a result of a medical condition, blood tests must be carried out. Therapeutic assessment of the patient is done to detect definite symptoms, environmental and cultural aspects, and the medical and family background that enables the health providers in arriving at a diagnosis and plan the execution process of treatment.

In the case of brain chemistry as the cause of depression, antidepressants can be prescribed to alter the functioning of the brain chemistry (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Medics asserts that antidepressants have no stimulating influence on a person who is not under depression. Therefore, antidepressants are neither tranquillizers, 'uppers' nor sedatives. The outcome of antidepressants is noticeable within two weeks, but the overall result on improvement is witnessed within three months. Complicated situations require the deployment of other psychotropic medications (Mackay, 2018). Medical professions recommend that in case there are side effects, or there is no improvement after treatment, the patient should notify the doctor.

Another recommendation by medics is the prolonged maintenance of therapy to avoid the reoccurrence of the disorder. It is also advisable to carry on with the medication for over six months after improvement is realized (Van Meter & Youngstrom, 2018). Psychotherapy is used in cases of mild depression. However, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is applied to patients suffering from moderate to severe depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Doctors recommend the employment of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on the current issue and how to solve it (Mackay, 2018). Cognitive-behavioral treatment enables the patient to identify partial reasoning and then modify their thinking and behaviors. Psychotherapy can be undertaken by an individual or a group of people such as couples, family, or friends to solve challenges arising from such relationships. People with the same disorder may opt for group therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is another treatment method for people suffering from bipolar illness or severe major depression. The treatment is given to patients who have not improved, although they have had other forms of treatment (Bergfeld et al., 2018). The brain is momentarily stimulated using electricity when the person is under anesthesia. The patients get six to twelve ECT treatments in a span of two to three weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Other activities help minimize depressive conditions. These activities include regular adequate sleep, regular exercise, eating healthy food, and avoiding substance abuse, among others.

Psychological Theories in Abnormal Psychology

One of the psychological theories that have been successfully applied in the treatment of abnormal psychology is the behavioral theory. Behavioral methods of depression put prominence on the part that maladaptive actions play in the commencement and maintenance of depression disorder. This theory asserts that certain behaviors can be acquired and innate (Mackay, 2018). The behavioral theory identifies the reactions of a person to their environment and how they can be altered to develop adaptive or maladaptive coping approaches. Behavioral activation approach asserts that people suffering from depression often behave in a manner that maintains their depression and detects the root of depressive incidents in the environment. When people are stressed due to activities revolving around their personalities, they are likely to suffer from depression (Mackay, 2018). Robbie Williams' depression is an example of such a depression, in that his career life contributed to his depression. Application of this theory, therefore, regulates two main coping strategies, which are distraction and rumination.

Another facet of psychological theory is that of social skills that rotate around a person's lack of interest in socialization as portrayed by people who are depressed. Lack of social interaction makes the individual be secluded, which in turn results in low self-esteem, isolation, and loneliness (Mackay, 2018). From the case of Robbie Williams, as he developed anxiety and low self-esteem, depression gradually advanced. Cognitive-behavioral therapy asserts that depression is majorly caused by negative thoughts which develop into negative behaviors. The theory states that most people who suffer from depression unnecessary negative opinions about themselves, lack present and future visions (Van Meter & Youngstrom, 2018). These behavioral theories are useful in psychotherapy treatment of patients suffering from depression. They enable the psychiatrist to identify the root cause of the illness and prescribe appropriate treatment method to the patient.

Conclusion

Most people across the globe are not aware of their mental conditions until it is too late. Depression is a disease that can be treated. People should be mindful of the symptoms and seek help early to ensure adequate diagnosis and treatment. It is recommendable that an individual experiencing depression should seek assistance from a psychiatrist, openly talk about the condition, and request a thorough assessment. It helps in solving mental health problems. Psychological theories are relevant in assessment, diagnosis, recommendation, and treatment of patients suffering from various mental disorders.

References

American Psychiatric Association, (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. BMC Med, 17, 133-137. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/openview/6b548968301e74806949f2f8bbf5559c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=34821

Bergfeld, I. O., Mantione, M., Figee, M., Schuurman, P. R., Lok, A., & Denys, D. (2018). Treatment-resistant depression and suicidality. Journal of affective disorders, 235, 362-367.

Kring, A. M., & Johnson, S. L. (2018). Abnormal psychology: The science and treatment of psychological disorders. Wiley. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books

Mackay, D. (2018). Clinical psychology: theory and therapy. Routledge. Retrieved from https://content.taylorfrancis.com/books/download?

Van Meter, A., & Youngstrom, E. (2018). 2.3 Evidence-Based Identification of Depression. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 57(10), S121-S122.