Theories%20of%20causation%20of%20Mental%20illness

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Theories of causation of Mental illness

• Dr Joanna Bennett

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Psychodynamic theories

• Explain the development of mental or emotional
  processes and their effects on behaviour and
  relationships.
• Helped form the basis for interpersonal
  intervention including therapeutic relationships,
  transference and empathy.

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Psychodynamic models

• Psychoanalytic (Freud)
• individual psychoanalysis
• Concept of ego, unconscious mental processes
• Neo-Freudian
• Development of other forms of psychoanalysis

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Humanistic theories

• Focus is on the individual ability to learn about
  and accept themselves
• Therapy involves exploration of personal
  capabilities and self-worth
• Rogers client-centred therapy
• Gestalt
• Maslow hierarchy of needs

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Cognitive-Behavioural theories

• Focus is how people think and act, not on
  explaining mental disorders
• Some theorists
• Pavlov, Watson, Skinner, Beck, Bandura
• Intervention based on behavioural theories is
  widespread in psychiatry
• Patient education
• Coping skills training
• In-patient privilege system/token economy

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Developmental theories

• Explain normal human growth and development
• Theories are presented in terms of stages
• Used to understand childhood and adolescent
• experiences and their manifestation in adult
  problems
• Most of these theories assume development is
  linear
• Not tested, nor consider gender or culture, so
  limited applicability
• Erickson adolescence and identity
• Jean Piaget

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Social Theories

• Social and socio-cultural theories important in
  assessment of individuals and families.
• Intervention maybe based on family and cultural
  norms
• Informs group interventions
• Some theories
• Familiy dynamics
• Social support
• Role theories
• Sociocultural perspectives transcultural care

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Biological theories (Medical Model)

• Genectics
• Family studies relatives of an individual with
  a mental disorder are more likely to develop the
  disorder
• Twin studies monozygotic (identical) more
  likely that if one twin develops a mental
  disorder the other twin is more likely to also
  develop the disorder

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Brain Neurochemistry

• Abnormality of the neurotransmitter system
• Too much or too little of a specific
  neurotransmitter
• Problems related to inadequate synthesis or
  reuptake
• Psychiatric drugs alter synaptic levels of
  neurotransmitters

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Structural and functional brain abnormalities

• Advances in brain imaging techniques, such as
  magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron
  emission tomography (PET), have enabled
  scientists to study the role of brain structure
  in mental illness.
• Some studies have revealed structural brain
  abnormalities in certain mental illnesses. For
  example, some people with schizophrenia have
  enlarged brain ventricles
• However, this may be a result of schizophrenia
  rather than a cause, and not all people with
  schizophrenia show this abnormality

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Stress-vulnerability model

• Vulnerability refers to our basic
  susceptibility to mental health problems.
• This is determined by our genetic makeup and our
  early life experiences.
• It is affected by our use of medications, and our
  likelihood of using alcohol or drugs.
• Stress refers to the challenges faced in our
  lives.
• Stress is affected by our coping skills, social
  support, and involvement in meaningful activities

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Some Nursing Theories

• Interpersonal relations models
• Peplau First systematic theory in mental health
  nursing 1952
• Orlando nurse-patient relationship
• Existential and humanistic theories
• Jean Watson transpersonal caring caring is
  the foundation of nursing
• Systems models
• King, Neuman, Orem