Full Description
This is timely new book examines the generally accepted understanding of the theory and practice of mental health. Drawing on historical and contemporary practices, it critically explores the concept of mental illness and how it is treated, the integration of health and social care, and providing a person-centred approach. As well as tackling more general aspects, such as how we categorise mental health and the contemporary practice around medication and treatment alternatives, it also focusses on specific areas currently labelled 'mental illness', including depression, anxiety, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Final chapters address the evidence for the effectiveness of psychopharmacology and the place of placebos in research and treatment, the importance of cultural sensitivity in a globalised world and the possibilities for the future practice in mental health services. The importance of non-medical alternative therapies and the incorporation of consumer perspectives in mental health service practice are highlighted throughout as a means of strengthening the experience of mental health service delivery for mental health professionals and consumers.
Whether a student on a mental health nursing course, a social work student focussing on mental health, or a practitioner in the medical and allied health professions, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants a greater understanding of the theory and practice of mental health.
Contents
1. The Contemporary Mental Health Landscape
2.Understanding Mental Illness Categorisation
3.Medication and Treatment Alternatives
4. The Epidemic of Depression
5. Anxiety: Medicalising Worry and Shyness
6. ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorder - Diagnosis, Misdiagnosis or Over-diagnosis?
7. PTSD - The Medicalisation of Distressing Experiences
8. Reflecting on Drugs and Placebos
9. Culture and the Globalisation of Mental Health and Mental Illness
10. The Nature of Evidence and the Role of Alternative Therapies.
