Mental Health Problems Are Still With Us

The social problem I have chosen to write about is mental illness. This problem is important to talk about “because of the number of people it affects, the difficulty of defining and identifying mental disorders, and the ways in which mental illness is treated” (Kendall, 2013, p. 227). “About 57.7 million people, or one in four adults, in the United States suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder” (Kendall, 2013, p. 229). “Many of these illnesses begin in childhood or adolescence, with the most common problems being anxiety disorder, mood disorders, impulse-control disorders, and substance abuse disorders” (Kendall, 2013, p. 229). I chose this topic because I wanted to learn more about how mental illness is a social problem and I have been interested in learning more about mental illnesses and how to help people with mental disorders.

The introduction of new psychotic drugs can provide better or more thorough care for the mentally ill. Creating options rather than one solution may have been believed to do greater good for the mentally ill community. Furthermore, the economic incentives involved as long term care was and continues to be at such a high cost. Community resources cost little to nothing for the federal Government to support. As well as releasing the mentally ill to their families, in any case those with minor illnesses. Additionally, a shift from treating chronic patients to treating acute ones would generate basic sense into the minds of many. This modification states through actions that

“Hallucinations and voices that caused schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders have been stopped with the use of new medications”. (MHT, 2) “Just as aspirin can reduce a fever without curing the infection that causes it, psychotherapeutic medications act by controlling symptoms,” (MFMI, 4). “Another advantage of these medications is an increased understanding of the causes of mental illness. Scientists investigate the results of the medications, and through these results, they have learned a great deal about the working of the brain system.” (MFMI, 4) The use of new drugs has made it possible for mentally ill persons to live a normal life.

There are a variety of treatment modalities, both conservative and emerging, that clinicians, therapists, and doctors use to treat heroin and opioid dependence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), 12 step programs, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are just a few that have been used in the past, and even today, in the treatment of substance dependence. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is yet another form of therapy; particularly for opioid and heroin dependence, that has been around for decades. However, it has recently begun to spark interest and controversy in light of the growing epidemic.

THESIS STATEMENT: To investigate Methadone maintenance is found to be more effective in treating heroin addiction than 180 day detoxification. The objective is how methadone maintenance, a widely used but controversial method of weaning heroin addicts off the drug—with counseling has psychosocially enriched 180 day methadone assisted detoxification.

“In 1949, Isbell and Vogel, working at the U.S. Public Health Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, showed methadone to be the most effective medication for withdrawing addicts from heroin (Joseph, Stancliff, & Landgord, 2000, p. 347). Further studies revealed that administering methadone to an addict for seven to ten days had a relapse rate of more than 90% when treatment ceased. “By 1998, the number of methadone patients in the United States had increased from the original six research patients in 1964 to about 44,000 patients in New York Stated and 179,000 patients worldwide” (Joseph, Stancliff, & Landgord, 2000, p. 347). The number of individuals enrolled in MMT continues to increase as the methadone clinics and the overall effectiveness of MMT gains

Some people have questioned whether the widespread use of chemical drugs is ethical. The argument is that the drugs and ECT are dehumanising and take away any sense of personal responsibility or control, as there are significant side effect related to drugs and risks associated with ECT, such as brain damage and even death. People in psychotic

Phillips states that individuals with dementia often display resistance to care, confusion, disruptive or aggressive behaviors: For these reasons, many seniors who are not actually suffering from psychosis are given antipsychotic medications. The goal of the pan-Canadian Reducing Antipsychotic Medication in Long Term Care program was to encourage long-term care facilities and nursing homes to discontinue the use of unnecessary antipsychotic medications to experiment with alternative therapies.

It’s been drummed into us that there’s no cure for such conditions but actually you can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia and generally improve your cognitive function through proper treatment of your body, taking healthy diet as well as having sufficient exercise. These will keep you mentally and physically active and lower your stress levels. Stress, or excessive

Jose M. C. de Almeida and H. Killaspy argue that the combination of pharmacological health programs with social curing programs is the most effective way of curing mental disease: “One of the main reasons why the rate of longer-term mental health service development is so often insufficient has to do with the lack of co-ordination between health services and services provided by other sectors, in particular the social sector.” (Caldas de Almeida, Killaspy, 2011) One of the examples from my care giving practice can be the work with senior people who suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. There was a case with one of the patients having Alzheimer’s disease combined with partial memory loss. The man used to walk in unbuttoned shirts because he was either unable to button them or he was too irritated to do that. I was advised by colleagues and came to the conclusion that at least in order to lower the patient’s level of irritation group or personal discussions of the problem are required. Even though it was to some extent emotionally difficult to conduct successful discussions with people suffering from mental disorders conversation in the group of different women and men suffering from one disease really helped. Moreover, there were some walks with a couple of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease as well as a number of picnics. This really helped patients to see the actual results of medication and their overall emotional state. Moreover, each social care

Residents in long-term care facilities have access to 24-hour professional care because they tend to have complex care needs. Many residents living in these facilities have dementia or Alzheimer’s (Singer, 2003). Patients with advanced dementia often have behavioural and psychological symptoms. These symptoms are common and difficult to manage, which affects the quality of life for the patient and alters the level of care they require. Antipsychotics are a short-term solution to stabilize the resident’s mood, reduce tension and anxiety, but they have serious long-term side effects which may be causing more harm. As a caregiver, I believe that we should look at the long-term consequences of these medications, rather than using them as a short-term fix. I propose that strict rules and protocols be put in place regarding the use of antipsychotic drugs for off-label

The use of antipsychotic drugs on geriatric patients is astounding. The antipsychotic drugs are used on elderly patients for agitation, combative behavior and outbursts caused by dementia. The use of these drugs has risen in the last decade due to the prescriptions in nursing homes (Comes, 2014, pg482). The side effects of these drugs can often times be worse than the initial symptoms the patient experiences. The doctors are prescribing these medications due to family complaints of low functioning levels or hostility coming from their loved one. What makes matters worse is that nursing homes are usually understaffed and it is easier to sedate the patient. What makes matters even worse is insurance companies don’t pay for added medical

Heroin addiction is a growing problem in this country that does not discriminate. Heroin addiction affects people of all ages, sexes, races, and income. Those that are addicted to the drug, find it difficult to break free because it has a very strong physical hold on their body. The fact is that the drug rewires their brain, making their pleasure dependent on the drug. Consequently, going through drug withdrawal is a very painful process for the person addicted to heroin. The best course of action is to gradually reduce the amount of the drug taken, until they are able to physically cope without the drug.

Today, mental issues like ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and depression are better understood thanks to past experience and seen as a minor neurosis. Unfortunately some treatments depersonalize these individuals leaving them empty and plain. There are clear examples of negative connotations attributed to medications. In his autobiography, the

Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by frequent drug abuse can impair a person's self-discipline and ability to make sound judgements, and at the same time create an intense impulse to take drugs. It is because of these alterations in the brain that it is so puzzling for a person to stop abusing drugs. Luckily, there are treatments that help people to neutralize addiction's powerful disruptive effects and regain control of their lives. Study shows that combining addiction treatment medications, when suitable, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are custom-made to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any concurrent medical, psychiatric, and social problems can help achieve sustained recovery and a life without drugs.