4.2 Therapies
Today there is a wide range of medicines used specifically to treat mental illness, e.g. antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, antidepressants for depression and anxiolytics to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
Talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are now commonly prescribed, either as an alternative to medication or in conjunction with tablets. These recognise that the individual should be involved in their own recovery. They take the form of a programme guided by a therapist and which the person follows, doing ‘homework’ to practise what they learn. Examples are psychological help to overcome fears or other constraints to leading a full and active life.
Talking therapies are often used to treat irrational worries such as a fear of open spaces or heights. The therapist might think the appropriate treatment is a course to desensitise the person to being outside their house. In this psychological therapy the person would be exposed gradually to the situation that the phobia is about while carrying out a relaxation activity.
Activity 5
You will now match a treatment with specific mental health problems. Read the four scenarios below. When you have finished, select what you think is an appropriate treatment from the list.
a.
Antipsychotic medication
b.
CBT with antidepressant medication
c.
Counselling for PTSD
d.
Admission to a mental health unit
The correct answer is b.
Comment
As Ray has depression, the use of antidepressants at the same time as talking about his problems is probably the approach that would help him the most.
a.
Sectioning under the mental health law
b.
Desensitisation for a phobia of open spaces (agoraphobia)
c.
Antidepressant medication
d.
A leaflet on self-help
The correct answer is b.
Comment
It is most likely that Betty has a phobia, for which the appropriate treatment is desensitisation.
a.
CBT with antidepressant medication
b.
Sectioning under the mental health law
c.
Antipsychotic medication
d.
A paper bag
The correct answer is c.
Comment
It sounds like Carl has psychosis, which might develop into schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medication would help him at this stage of his mental health problems.
a.
Counselling for PTSD
b.
Sectioning under mental health law
c.
Antipsychotic medication
d.
Desensitisation to car crashes
The correct answer is a.
Comment
As Maya has PTSD the best approach is to offer her counselling, a type of talking therapy.
4.1 Recovery