The major theoretical perspectives provide a framework for understanding and conceptualizing client’s current mental health issues and the potential contributory factors in the development of their problems. The present client, Toni Barone, is seeking treatment for her current unhappiness with her life, social isolation, and bereavement issues stemming from her father’s death. From a biological perspective, there appears to be a potential for some genetic or inherited mental health issues, with various family members presenting with diagnosed and undiagnosed disorders. Family members including Toni’s mother, Aunt, and paternal grandmother appear to have mental health issues. In addition, a stress disorder is present in her uncle …show more content…
Previous research has also found an increased sensitivity for stress in those with the two alleles. This research is critical to understanding Toni’s present issues, as her paternal grandmother experienced depressed mood states and her aunt was also diagnosed with anxiety and depression. At the genetic level it is possible that this particular gene is a contributory factor in Toni’s predisposition for the development of her current depressive symptoms. Another interesting finding in research, is that of reduced hippocampal volume in depressed patients (Roy & Campbell, 2013).. There are various models accounting for this such as the neurotoxicity hypothesis which states that the reduction in volume occurs because of prolonged stress and hormone levels. The vulnerability hypothesis states that individuals with a familial risk of depression have a significantly smaller hippocampus than controls (Chan et al., 2016). The Chan et al. (2016) study examined individuals with depression and healthy controls. The participants with depression had reduced hippocampal volume when compared to the control group. The researchers posit reduced hippocampal volume as a possible neural marker of depression and the potential for this to be viewed as a vulnerability marker for future depressive episodes (Assareh et al., 2015). It can be theorized that Toni and her family may have reduced volume of the
The depression diseasing our society today is mostly caused by stress related activities. Because our society demands so much out of us we struggle to handle all the stress it throws out us. STanford researchers found people who had depression had smaller hippocampuses; the part of the brain that controls long term memory and emotions. The researchers also found that this smaller hippocampus was caused by a deterioration of it over time, not in one sudden moment. THe deterioration is caused by, you guessed it, stress. However, it’s a double edged sword, because as stress causes the deterioration, it also prevents the healing process by preventing neurons from growing around the
Nordby,K. Kjonsberg, K. Hummelvoll, J.K.(2009) Relatives of persons with recently discovered serious mental illness: in need of support to become resource persons in treatment and recovery.(Appendix 1). Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing. 17, 304-311.
Natalie seems to be struggling with the change that occurred in her family. Her symptoms can attempt to restore the previous situation and prevent further changes (Vossler, 2010, p. 193). After her son ceased to be a fixed part of her home environment, she started experiencing sadness. Her sadness, in return, makes him visit her more often. Through this symptom she cannot prevent him from moving but can make this process more gradual. It makes her husband and friends spend more time with her as well and fill the void to some extent. Therefore, her sadness can also communicate to other people around her that now she needs more of their presence in her life (Vossler, 2010, p. 204). It seems that losing her son in the home environment, made her afraid of losing her husband as well. Through the fear she can express the need for more closeness with her husband after losing a part of closeness with her son (Holm, 1983 cited in Vossler, 2010, p. 201). The anxiety and increased sadness she experiences during her husband’s business
The following essay is a case study of a client named John who is suffering from major depression and was sent to see me for treatment by his concerned wife. I will provide brief background information about John then further discuss interventions and strategies I believe can be applied in each session with my client in order to make John's life more manageable. In the essay, I will be writing as the therapist, and the sessions are based on a ten week period.
NyL has no earlier history of depression and she does not know anybody in her family that has experienced it so it may not be hereditary qualities but rather there are numerous other causes, for
Case conceptualization explains the nature of a client’s problem and how they develop such problem ( Hersen, & Porzelius, p.3, 2002) In counseling, assessment is viewed as a systematic gathering of information to address a client’s presenting concerns effectively. The assessment practice provides diagnostic formulation and counseling plans, and aids to identify assets that could help the client cope better with concern that they are current. Assessment is present as a guide for treatment and support in the “evaluation process. Although many methods can be employed to promote a thorough assessment, no one method should be used by itself” (Erford, 2010, p.269-270). Eventually, it is the counselor's job to gain adequate
Many times, depression is linked to a type of anxiety disorder or can trigger a form of anxiety within an individual. Additionally, as (chapter 6, 131) mentions, anxiety has relation to genetics and Rachel’s mother has suffered from anxiety during her lifetime, possibly leaving Rachel more vulnerable to this disorder. Furthermore, her life is in disorder as her lifestyle and state of mind has changed drastically along with her literally expressing feelings of worry and anxiousness.
History of familial disorders and illnesses was also studied. Results show that participants that had family members that suffered from mental disorders, substance abuse, and so on were more likely to experience Major Depressive Disorder than those participants who were not subject to these illnesses. Daniel N. Klein and Catherine R. Glenn (2013) concluded that,
Some studies state that there is proof to a genetic link while others say if it is genetic then how did the first ancestor acquire it (Gehrman, P. etal, 2009; Is Anxiety Genetic, 2010)? Still another group simple sits on the fence and calls it multicausal referring to both genetic and environmental factors (Understanding, 2015). Reviewing the genogram of the family would leave one to believe that genetics is the main factor of depression and anxiety. As each family has gone its separate way and no two environments are the least bit similar, the high prevalence of depression and anxiety within the family points to genetic
The philosophy that underlies the counseling profession is unique among mental health professionals. According to Remley & Herlihy (2014), the philosophy is made up of four components. First, counselor 's view mental health challenges through a positive, wellness-oriented lens. The primary goal of the wellness model is for the client to achieve the highest degree of mental health possible. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers follow the medical model of mental health. The goal of these clinicians is to cure the client’s illness, which differs drastically from counselor’s view of clients.
In discussion of my personal theory of Psychopathology I will include (a) the definition of psychopathology, (b) etiology and progression of pathology, (c) the implications of the theory of psychopathology for treatment, (d) the process of counseling and the roles the counselor and client play (e) the ethical implications of this theory of psychopathology
Theories play an important role in how a counselor serves their clients. Theories provide counselors with a foundation on which to build their counseling style. “Theories ground us as professional counselors. They provide a means to understand what we are doing, how we are serving clients, and how to explain counseling to clients” (Erford, 2010). Counselors are responsible for being aware of different theories in order to apply them appropriately within their practice. Established and new theories play an important and constant role in mental health counseling. Established theories in mental health counseling are based on “empirical or scientific foundations” (American Counseling Association, 2005). The best way to gain the most
My daughter Ashley, an engaging, highly intelligent, beautiful and artistically talented teenager, suffers from a life threatening genetic illness. It is an illness of extremes with a high, some estimates are as much as 20%, mortality rate. It is sometimes, as with my daughter, difficult to treat. It is always difficult for those so afflicted and their families. The contemporary nomenclature for this disease is Bi-Polar Disorder (1). But I prefer the more descriptive, no longer politically correct name, Manic Depression.
Investigations clearly show that both nature and nurture play significant roles in the origin of psychopathology. Many studies based on adoption, twins and family have confidently recognized the roles of both genes and environment in mental disorders. Having a close relative with a mental health disorder is typically the most predictable risk factor for increasing that disorder to you, but the relationship is not inevitable. Even identical twins with identical genes sometimes do not develop the same psychiatric disorder. It remains difficult, to determine if genes for disorder are characterize by certain ecological conditions or psychopathology. The reason for this difficulty lies in the complex nature of mental disorders. Many disorders such
Psychiatric genetics is a subtopic of behavioral genetics, evolutionary psychology and behavioral neuroscience. The research began with evolutionary psychology, the field of psychology that studies how much human thought and behavior is determined by genetics. Evolutionary psychology was then narrowed down to behavioral genetics, which focused directly on how much of behavior is determined by genetics or the environment. Behavioral genetics was still too broad. For every issue in behavioral genetics there was the nature or nurture argument (Feist & Rosenberg, 2012). The topic was narrowed down specifically to the correlation between genetics and mental disorders. Therefore, psychiatric genetics became the selected topic.