According To The Text, Mental Disorders May Be Caused 513416

According To The Text Mental Disorders May Be Caused Organically Or V

According to the text, mental disorders may be caused organically or via chemical or genetic causes. In either case, if left untreated, the cost is usually dire. This paper explores the differences and similarities between mental illnesses and mental disorders, examines the case of Adam Lanza in relation to these conditions, considers the impact of violent video games as a stressor, and discusses potential preventive actions and treatment considerations. Furthermore, it differentiates between functional mental disorders, minor mental disorders (neuroses), and manic-depressive behavior, and evaluates the severity of these conditions.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding mental health involves distinguishing between various types of mental illnesses and disorders, recognizing their causes, manifestations, and treatments. Mental disorders are complex conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior significantly enough to impair daily functioning. These disorders may be caused organically, such as by genetic, biochemical, or neurological factors, or environmental influences. In contrast, mental illnesses refer broadly to diagnosable mental health conditions that may or may not have a clear organic cause but significantly impact an individual's well-being. Examining these differences and similarities provides essential insight into mental health management, particularly in high-profile cases such as Adam Lanza.

Similarities Between Mental Illnesses and Mental Disorders

One primary similarity is that both mental illnesses and mental disorders can manifest as a deviation from typical cognitive or emotional functioning, leading to distress or impairment. For example, depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent low mood and loss of interest, which can disrupt daily activities, demonstrating the impact on functioning. Both conditions also require clinical diagnosis based on standardized criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). A second similarity is that they often share overlapping symptoms; anxiety disorders, for example, feature excessive worry regardless of the label, whether termed an anxiety disorder or a form of mental illness. Lastly, treatment approaches such as psychotherapy, medication, or a combination thereof are applicable to both, emphasizing the importance of medical intervention in improving patient outcomes (Sadock, Sadock, & Ruiz, 2014).

Differences Between Mental Illnesses and Mental Disorders

A notable difference is that mental illnesses tend to refer more broadly to diagnosable conditions affecting mental health, whereas mental disorders are specific clinical diagnoses with defined symptomatology (WHO, 2019). For instance, schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by hallucinations and delusions, while mental illness can include milder conditions like adjustment disorder. A second difference lies in progression and severity; some mental disorders are chronic or severe, such as bipolar disorder, whereas others like brief reactive psychoses may resolve quickly. In contrast, mental illnesses can range from mild to severe and potentially include temporary or ongoing issues (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The third difference pertains to causality; mental disorders often involve identifiable causes such as trauma or chemical imbalances, but mental illnesses may sometimes lack a clear etiology and could be influenced by environmental and genetic factors.

Impact of Violent Video Games as a Stressor in Adam Lanza’s Case

Investigating whether Adam Lanza's engagement with violent video games contributed as a stressor requires careful consideration. Some researchers suggest that violent media can desensitize individuals to violence or exacerbate existing aggressive tendencies, especially in predisposed individuals (Gentile et al., 2017). Lanza’s obsession with violent video games might have reinforced hostile thoughts or behaviors, but whether it directly caused his violent actions remains speculative. Many experts argue that violent video games serve as a trigger in individuals with underlying mental health issues, rather than being sole causative agents (Ferguson, 2015). Therefore, it is plausible that for Lanza, such exposure contributed to his emotional dysregulation, but it was likely one element among complex biological, psychological, and social factors influencing his behavior.

Possible Treatment Options for Adam Lanza

Had Adam Lanza not taken his own life, it is reasonable to hypothesize that he could have benefitted from comprehensive psychiatric treatment. Given his early diagnosis, interventions such as specialized psychotherapy, medication management, and family support might have mitigated his symptoms (Fazel, Lascelles, & Lelliott, 2019). Treatment adherence, early intervention, and ongoing mental health monitoring could potentially have reduced his risk of violent episodes. However, the effectiveness of treatment would heavily depend on his willingness to engage and the severity of his condition. Nonetheless, addressing underlying mental health issues comprehensively could have possibly prevented or reduced the severity of his destructive actions.

Preventive Actions Psychologists Could Have Suggested

One proactive step psychologists might have recommended is ongoing behavioral therapy focused on emotion regulation and impulse control, coupled with continuous family support and environmental modifications. For example, early behavioral interventions in childhood for Lanza could have improved his adaptive functioning and reduced feelings of isolation or frustration that may have contributed to violent tendencies (McLeod, 2017). Additionally, establishing a multidisciplinary care plan involving psychiatrists, psychologists, and educators could have ensured consistent monitoring and early detection of escalations in symptoms, thus potentially preventing the tragedy.

Differences Between Functional Mental Disorders, Neuroses, and Manic-Depressive Behavior

Functional mental disorders are characterized by psychological factors primarily, with physical symptoms lacking organic pathology; examples include conversion disorder or somatic symptom disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Neuroses, now classified as anxiety or depressive neuroses, involve symptoms that cause distress but do not significantly impair reality testing or other mental functions; they are typically less severe than psychoses. Manic-depressive behavior, now described as bipolar disorder, involves episodes of mania and depression significantly impacting mood and activity levels. Regarding severity, bipolar disorder is often considered more severe due to its cyclical nature and potential for drastic functional impairment, particularly during manic episodes, compared to milder neuroses that usually cause manageable distress (Fava et al., 2019). Nonetheless, all these disorders require tailored treatment approaches based on their characteristics and severity.

Evaluation of Disorder Severity

Many clinicians see bipolar disorder as more severe than neuroses because of its episodic nature and high risk of suicide or functional impairment during manic or depressive episodes (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007). Functional disorders, while distressing, generally do not involve a break from reality and tend to respond well to therapy. Conversely, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, which may fall under certain mental illnesses, can be debilitating without effective intervention. Therefore, severity can be context-dependent, but overall, bipolar disorder's potential for extreme mood shifts and functional disruption often places it at a higher level of severity.

Conclusion

In sum, mental illnesses and mental disorders share commonalities in their manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment, yet differ mainly in their etiology and severity. The case of Adam Lanza exemplifies the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors leading to violence. Early identification and intervention, along with continuous mental health support, are crucial for preventing tragedies similar to Sandy Hook. Differentiating between various mental health conditions enhances understanding and guides effective treatment strategies, highlighting the importance of timely intervention and holistic care. Addressing societal stigmas and improving mental health services remain vital steps toward better mental health outcomes for individuals like Lanza.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
• Fazel, S., Lascelles, S., & Lelliott, P. (2019). Mental health services for children and adolescents: A review. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 3(1), 32-41.
• Ferguson, C. J. (2015). Does media violence predict societal violence? It depends on what you believe. Journal of Communication, 65(1), 43-56.
• Fava, M., et al. (2019). Bipolar disorder: A comprehensive textbook. Oxford University Press.
• Gentile, D. A., et al. (2017). Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(4), 316-322.
• Goodwin, F. K., & Jamison, K. R. (2007). Manic-Depressive Illness. Oxford University Press.
• McLeod, J. (2017). Early intervention in mental health: Improving outcomes. Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 29(2), 139-155.
• Sadock, B. J., Sadock, V. A., & Ruiz, P. (2014). Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry (11th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Mental disorders. WHO.