Download Theories of causation of Mental illness

Dr Joanna Bennett
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.
Psychodynamic models
Psychoanalytic (Freud)


individual psychoanalysis
Concept of ego, unconscious mental processes
Neo-Freudian
Development of other forms of psychoanalysis
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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