Essay Sample on Mental Disorders: Exploring Other Approaches for Improving Thinking

Introduction

Most people have multiple mental disorders in their daily life. However, only a few individuals have enough resources to comply with the disease. Thus, only a small portion of the global population can explore other approaches to improve their thinking about the worsening of the situation and the improvement of any potential addiction (Ghodse et al., 2011). In most instances, a mental disorder is not associated with substance based on the fact that stigma is placed over humanity. In essence, society aims at identifying what could be considered as healthy as many people tend to hide their symptoms (Derksen et al., 2013). In reality, when people are questioned about their symptoms, they view those people threats to their lives. However, a person may easily mask symptoms with narcotics and alcohol. Since the disorder is one of the scariest diseases, BPD and addiction are reduced by diagnosis, treatment, and psychotherapy.

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As a cluster B personality disorder, Borderline personality disorder features aspects such as impulsivity, many uncertain self-images, relationship instability, and mood instability. In this category, borderline personality disorder is a destructive and debilitating mental illness. Since the disease is debilitating, borderline personality disorder is relatively young.

Substance Abuse and BPD

Borderline personality disorder and substance abuse occur concurrently. Research reveals that about two-thirds of the population with BPD are addicted to substance abuse. A BPD patient uses drugs to masks their symptoms to allow them to feel better (Ghodse et al., 2011). Some people engage in substance abuse as a form of self-medication that makes them feel better. Addiction and BPD are characterized by unstable careers and relationships, deceitful actions, self-destructive behaviors, and extreme mood swings (Bortolla, 2017). If the health provider performs diagnosis, there is a need to begin with, one then discover the other later. Since BPD patients are prone to emotional instability, alcohol or any substance abuse can cause erratic problems on a person's choices and behaviors (Ghodse et al., 2011). Treating the two co-occurring diseases is much difficult, especially when getting the patient to follow the treatment program to the fullest.

Diagnosis of Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder, just like any other personality disorder, is diagnosed based on the following concepts, namely, medical exam and history, signs and symptoms discussion, psychological evaluation, and detailed interview with the mental health provider. However, most diagnosis is meant for adults (Bortolla, 2017). The idea is grounded on the concept that the appearance of symptoms of BPD may be faded as children attain maturity.

Treatment

BPD usually is tested by applying psychotherapy, including some medication. However, a doctor may advise patients to be hospitalized when their lives are in jeopardy. In essence, treatments are administered to help the patients manage and cope with their conditions. Other diseases that may occur together with BPD may be treated, such as substance abuse and depression (Derksen et al., 2013). By pursuing these treatments, the patients stand a chance of feeling better themselves and living a rewarding and stable life.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

The best therapy that can be used for people with a co-occurring disorder such as borderline personality disorder and addiction is cognitive behavior therapy. When applying CBT, the focus is always based on the present. Therapists do listen to the patient based on what they think about themselves and how they behave (Bortolla, 2017). However, the focus is still grounded on the present rather than the past. The critical aspect to examine entails the current behavior patterns and symptoms.

Cognitive behavior therapy seems to be reasonably directive. In essence, therapists are expected to take an active role in the patient's current therapy sessions, where they give guidance and direct advice. Typically, CBT operates under the notion that patients' symptoms related to how they behave and think in many years of learning. In other words, therapists believe that the therapy conducted less than two weeks cannot produce any change. In most instances, a therapist may decide to assign some homework to the patient (Derksen et al., 2013). Healthcare providers expect the patients to strive to change the patterns outside the session.

For that reason, the therapist assigns a BPD patient two types of CBT, namely, schema-focused and dialectical behavior therapy. The above therapies are effective in reducing BPD symptoms. Dialectical behavior therapy deals with behaviors like regulating emotions, realizing mindfulness, tolerating conflict or distress, motivating the patients to cope with unhealthy skills, and navigating their relationship (Ghodse et al., 2011). Schema -focused therapy is underpinned on the concept that BPD emerges based on early life behaviors or maladaptive thoughts. Such that people acquire unhealthy skills such as avoidance to trigger behaviors and thoughts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, borderline personality disorder and addiction patients have fragmented and highly unstable self-image. The co-occurring diseases, just like any other personality disorder, are diagnosed based on the following concepts, namely, medical exam and history, signs and symptoms discussion, psychological evaluation, and detailed interview with a mental health provider. A BPD and addiction patient is subjected to two types of CBT, namely, schema-focused and dialectical behavior therapy. The above therapies are effective in reducing BPD symptoms and help them to acquire unhealthy skills such as avoidance to trigger behaviors and thoughts.

References

Bortolla, R. (2017). Bordeline Personality Disorder: From Emotional Dysregulation Towards a Computational Perspective : Tesi Di Dottorato Di Ricerca.

Derksen, J. J., Maffei, C., & Groen, H. (2013). Treatment of Personality Disorders. Springer Science & Business Media.

Ghodse, H., Herrman, H., Maj, M., & Sartorius, N. (2011). Substance Abuse Disorders: Evidence and Experience. John Wiley & Sons.