Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Self Help Services: helping people to help themselves
- Authors:
- LIDBETTER Nicky, BUNNELL Dawn
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 17(2), 2013, pp.76-81.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – Self Help Services is a pioneering charity in how it champions personal experience of mental health and uses these experiences in the treatment of people living with common mental health problems – anxiety, depression, phobias, and low self-esteem issues. This paper aims to describe how the charity grew from one individual's journey with agoraphobia to being the main provider of primary care mental health services in the North West of England. Design/methodology/approach – The paper charts the growth of Self Help Services over time, with a particular focus on its employment of people with personal mental health problems. It describes the experiences of its founder and Chief Officer and includes case studies of a user of its e-therapy services and the charity's Informatics and Governance Lead. Findings – The case studies illustrate how the charity has grown in both size and success as a result of harnessing the skills and experience of large numbers of staff and volunteers living with a mental health problem. The case studies illustrate that, rather than being an issue, these personal experiences are vital tools in helping others work through their own difficulties. Originality/value – The paper provides a detailed overview of a charity which was unique when it was formed and now thrives as a result of its uniqueness. It provides other similar organisations with advice on lessons learnt along the way, and advice for individuals or groups looking to establish similar organisations.
The bounds of liberty: lessons learnt from treating a man with alcohol use disorder, autism and learning disability
- Authors:
- DRAKE Alexander C.L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(1), 2018, pp.27-34.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: A man in his 40s with alcohol use disorder, learning disability and autism was referred to the learning disability team due to anxiety and low mood. He had been abstinent from alcohol for ten years prior to a recent relapse. The purpose of this paper is to describe his case. Design/methodology/approach: Treatment was person centred, followed standard practice for clients with alcohol use disorder and targeted harm minimisation. Initially, alcohol consumption reduced; however, at month three, he relapsed. Thereafter, he was repeatedly admitted to inpatient settings, drank excessively and engaged in risky behaviours. Findings: Conventional approaches to treating alcohol dependence may not be entirely appropriate for this client group. The client’s alcohol consumption was only curtailed with the use of restrictions to his liberty agreed by him and incorporated into his tenancy agreement. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to discuss issues pertaining to people with co-occurring learning disability, autism and alcohol dependence. The authors discuss the use of restrictions, reasonable adjustments and policy issues relevant to treating this complex client group. (Publisher abstract)
Commentary on “The bounds of liberty: lessons learnt from treating a man with alcohol use disorder, autism and learning disability”
- Author:
- BROWN Hilary
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 23(1), 2018, pp.35-41.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: In commenting on the issues raised by Drake et al. the purpose of this paper is to discuss three areas of practice: assessing capacity in the presence of intransigence and/or rigid patterns of thinking and behaviour; understanding addiction in this context; and identifying “reasonable adjustments” in the way addiction and substance misuse services are provided to this client group. Design/methodology/approach: As well as discussing the issues raised by Drake et al. the commentary refers to a serious case review exploring similar issues. Findings: Both the case discussed by Drake et al. and the serious case review draw attention to the importance of identifying “reasonable adjustments” to current practice. Research limitations/implications: While the implications of the cases discussed are very significant, further work quantifying the scope of the problems identified would be very useful. Practical implications: The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act (UK) requires public services to make “reasonable adjustments” in order for people with a range of disabilities to access their services on an equitable basis. This paper identifies what some of those areas of difficulty might be. Originality/value: This is a relatively new area of work and expertise in both mainstream addiction and specialist intellectual disability and mental health services needs to be developed in order for them to provide more coherent and accessible programmes to individuals. (Publisher abstract)
A multi-family group intervention for adolescent depression: the BEST MOOD Program
- Authors:
- POOLE Lucinda A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Family Process, 56(2), 2017, p.317–330.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Depression is the most common mental disorder for young people, and it is associated with educational underachievement, self-harm, and suicidality. Current psychological therapies for adolescent depression are usually focused only on individual-level change and often neglect family or contextual influences. The efficacy of interventions may be enhanced with a broader therapeutic focus on family factors such as communication, conflict, support, and cohesion. This article describes a structured multi-family group approach to the treatment of adolescent depression: Behaviour Exchange Systems Therapy for adolescent depression (BEST MOOD). BEST MOOD is a manualised intervention that is designed to address both individual and family factors in the treatment of adolescent depression. BEST MOOD adopts a family systems approach that also incorporates psychoeducation and elements of attachment theories. The programme consists of eight multifamily group therapy sessions delivered over 2 hours per week, where parents attend the first four sessions and young people and siblings join from week 5. The programme design is specifically aimed to engage youth who are initially resistant to treatment and to optimise youth and family mental health outcomes. This article presents an overview of the theoretical model, session content, and evaluations to date, and provides a case study to illustrate the approach. (Edited publisher abstract)
One woman’s journey of recovery from mental illness - hopes, back-up plans, rebuilding self and service support
- Authors:
- THOMAS Kerry A., RICKWOOD Debra J.
- Journal article citation:
- Qualitative Social Work, 15(4), 2016, pp.501-517.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Recovery from mental illness is a personal experience, unique to each individual. The purpose of this study was to explore the changing focus of one woman’s continuing recovery from mental illness, exploring the domains of hope, self-identity, a meaningful life, and responsibility. A case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with a woman during three separate admissions to a residential mental health unit, and analysed using a theory-driven approach. Aspects of the service that were instrumental in the woman’s recovery journey were analysed, using a content analysis of the transcripts. The analysis demonstrated changes over time in the hopes the woman expressed; redefining self-identity was an ongoing objective; seeking a meaningful life involved overcoming addictions as a priority over pursuing hobbies and work; and there were indications she was taking more responsibility for her own recovery. Features of the residential service that were instrumental in her recovery progress were the therapeutic groups, tailored clinical support, support towards self-management, instrumental support, and social interaction. Repeat admissions to the residential unit assisted this woman to progress in her recovery. Her story demonstrates how personal responsibility can be increasingly achieved with the support of a recovery-oriented service. (Publisher abstract)
Integrative treatment in persons with intellectual disability and mental health problems
- Author:
- DOSEN A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 51(1), January 2007, pp.66-74.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Clinical experience has proven thus far that a monodisciplinary treatment approach to behavioural and psychiatric problems in persons with intellectual disability (ID), such as psychotropic medication or behaviour modification programmes, has yielded limited success. It is clear that the complexity of behavioural and psychiatric problems in this population calls for a treatment approach from different perspectives. This article describes a multidimensional treatment approach to the persons with ID who suffer from behaviour problems and psychiatric disorders. Four dimensions – biological, psychological, social and developmental – are represented as well in an integrative diagnosis as in an integrative treatment, embodied by cooperation of different professionals, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, pedagogues, social worker, nurse and, where possible, the person's caretakers. The developmental dimension receives a salient attention of assessors. By introducing the developmental dimension in diagnostics and treatment, the bio-psycho-social dimensions are set in a new context, more appropriate for persons with ID. The integrative treatment should not be primarily directed towards the symptoms of the disorder but towards restoring a person's mental well-being. The disorder is combated through treatment of the underlying processes that have led to its onset. Different treatment methods from different perspectives may be applied. Strategy and methodological procedures of an integrative treatment are discussed by way of case presentations.
Medicalization of unacceptable behaviors: treatment, necessary or sufficient?
- Authors:
- BLAIR Gillian, STRACHAN Martha Kirkland
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 5(3), 2005, pp.89-98.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
Approximately 65% of adolescents in the juvenile justice system in the USA have some type of mental disorder. Access to mental health treatment within juvenile justice requires a psychiatric evaluation, and a diagnosis to justify treatment. At times, behaviour and symptoms may be exaggerated in order to secure services that are not available to families without adequate health insurance. Evaluations may be cursory and recommended interventions extreme, such as out of home placement without an attempt at family or community-based treatment. This practice is illustrated by a case study of an adolescent's progression through dependency and the juvenile justice system. The need for treatments that are both issue-focused and empirically supported is discussed, as is the need to consider community and family -based interventions as a first option. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Making plans for Nigella - the case for and against, harm reduction
- Author:
- DON Lesley
- Journal article citation:
- Drugs and Alcohol Today, 5(1), May 2005, pp.17-22.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Deciding the best course of treatment for a drug or alcohol user can be a complex one. This article looks at the discussion of harm reduction and abstinence, and asks what the best plans are for a young woman with mental health problems who uses heroin to prevent recurring self-harm. The author explores the decision-making process towards treatment.
Eight months to eight weeks: reducing waiting times in a child and adolescent mental health service
- Authors:
- YORK Ann, ANDERSON Yvonne, ZWI Morris
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Review, 9(2), June 2004, pp.15-19.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
Discusses the use of brief, focused interventions as an approach to managing child and adolescent mental health problems. Describes a case study of a pilot service offered by Richmond Child and Family Consultation Centre (CFCC).
Self-injurious skin picking: clinical characteristics, assessment methods, and treatment modalities
- Authors:
- DECKERSBACH Thilo, WILHELM Sabine, KEUTHEN Nancy
- Journal article citation:
- Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 3(2), Summer 2003, pp.249-260.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Self-injurious skin picking is characterized by repetitive, ritualistic, or impulsive skin manipulation that results in tissue damage. It occurs in the absence of an underlying dermatologic condition and causes significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. The present article reviews the clinical characteristics of self-injurious skin picking, methods for assessing this problem, and modalities of treatment. A clinical vignette describes the implementation and outcome of cognitive-behavioral therapy for a patient with self-injurious skin picking and comorbid body dysmorphic disorder.