Mental Illness Treatment Plan

The treatment of mental illness has evolved over the years as more insight has been discovered and the negative stigma has been reduced. Early treatments and interventions for individuals struggling with mental illness often included things such as bleeding, vomiting, purging, exorcisms, and other methods to address physical or supernatural causes. For many years, patients with mental illnesses received inhumane and relatively ineffective, even harmful, treatments and were essentially treated as animals in asylums. Fortunately as our knowledge on mental illness has increased, we have developed more effective and humane treatments. Now that we have a greater understanding of the complexities of mental disorders, it is important to acknowledge …show more content…
During a clinical assessment, the professional can evaluate things such as antecedents, behavior, and consequences that are related to a patient’s mental health. By meeting with a psychologist, the patient can complete the necessary testing in order to receive a diagnosis, or the help needed, that meets the criteria presented in the DSM-5. After determining what disease or disorder the individual is suffering from, a treatment plan should be tailored specifically to that individual, as no two people are the same. For many mental illnesses, the underlying issues can be addressed through different forms of psychotherapy to reduce distress and increase functioning. For example, someone with a phobia of snakes could greatly benefit from exposure therapy or systematic desensitization. In addition, a patient diagnosed with Depression may benefit from talk therapy that addresses possible causes, such as, Cognitive Behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy is a proven way to resolve many mental health issues that may not require immediate medication, and therefore should be the first step in treatment for people who are not at an immediate risk of harming themselves or …show more content…
Medication can be used on its own, although studies show that it is more effective when paired with therapy. Medications can help to manage the symptoms of certain mental illnesses and can therefore improve individual functioning and reduce distress. For example, if an individual with Major Depression does not benefit from psychotherapy alone, they can be referred to a psychiatrist and begin taking prescribed medication to reduce their symptoms. Medications may also be the first choice of treatment depending on the type of disorder, disease, or the severity. For example, a child with ADD may benefit from a stimulant and a patient who hears or sees things that are not real would likely need an antipsychotic medication. The downside of treating mental illness with medication is that almost all drugs have unwanted side effects, but if the benefits experienced outweigh the risks, it can be the best treatment method for a mental