Discussion 1: Mental Health Versus Mental Illness Pro 925301

Discussion 1 Mental Health Versus Mental Illnessproperly Poised And M

Discussion 1: Mental Health versus Mental Illness Properly poised and magnificently coiffed, Michelle entertains the room. After taking one last spoonful of soup, she politely excuses herself from the dinner table and retreats to the bathroom. Uncovering a toothbrush concealed in her purse, she pushes the toothbrush down her throat and gags. With this behavior, Michelle conceals much more than a toothbrush. Patterns of mental illness might be concealed all too well by external variables, such as a successful lifestyle, a well-groomed appearance, or a dynamic personality.

At times, those suffering with mental illness may be able to control external variables, thus hiding any signs and symptoms. As a result, the differentiation between mental health and mental illness is not always so clear. As a future professional in the field of psychology, you must consider how mental health differs from mental illness for an accurate diagnosis on the basis of the DSM. For this Discussion, consider the different ways to conceptualize mental health and mental illness in the field of psychology. Think about how this conceptualization may influence your assessment and diagnosis of a client.

With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 3 a brief explanation of the different ways in which mental health and mental illness may be conceptualized in the field of psychology. Then explain at least two ways in which this conceptualization may influence your assessment and diagnosis of a client. Provide examples based on current literature and Learning Resources. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and current literature.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding how mental health and mental illness are conceptualized in psychology is fundamental for accurate assessment and diagnosis. Mental health is often viewed as a state of well-being where individuals realize their potential, cope with normal life stresses, work productively, and contribute to their community (World Health Organization, 2004). Conversely, mental illness refers to diagnosable mental disorders characterized by significant disturbances in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These definitions reflect varying conceptual frameworks that influence clinical practice.

One approach to conceptualizing mental health and mental illness is the categorical model, which aligns closely with the DSM-5 criteria. In this model, mental disorders are viewed as discrete categories with specific criteria; individuals are classified as either having or not having a particular disorder (Insel et al., 2010). This framework facilitates diagnosis by providing clear boundaries but may oversimplify the complexity of mental health experiences. For example, a person might meet the criteria for major depressive disorder but still maintain a meaningful quality of life, highlighting the distinction between having a disorder and overall mental wellness.

Another perspective is the dimensional or continuum model, which conceptualizes mental health and illness as points along a spectrum (Kotov et al., 2017). Instead of discrete categories, this approach recognizes that symptoms exist in varying degrees, and individuals may fluctuate between mental wellness and illness over time. For instance, someone may experience subthreshold symptoms of anxiety that impair functioning without meeting DSM criteria, yet still benefit from clinical attention aimed at improving their overall functioning.

These conceptualizations influence assessment and diagnosis profoundly. For example, employing a categorical approach might lead clinicians to focus on whether criteria are met for a disorder, potentially missing subtler signs of distress that impact functioning. This could result in underestimating the person's struggles if they do not meet full criteria, as seen in cases of subclinical depression. Conversely, a dimensional perspective encourages clinicians to assess symptom severity and impairment on a continuum, fostering more individualized treatment plans. For example, acknowledging that an individual experiences moderate anxiety symptoms could lead to interventions aimed at symptom reduction and functional improvement, even if they do not qualify for a clinical diagnosis.

Furthermore, recognizing that external variables such as successful social roles or a well-groomed appearance may mask underlying mental health issues underscores the importance of comprehensive assessment. For instance, an individual presenting as highly functioning externally but secretly engaging in self-harm or disordered eating behaviors challenges clinicians to look beyond surface appearances. Integrating both conceptualizations allows mental health professionals to balance categorical diagnoses with an understanding of the broader spectrum of mental health states, ultimately enhancing diagnostic accuracy and tailoring interventions effectively.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Insel, T. R., Cuthbert, B. N., Garvey, M. A., et al. (2010). Research domain criteria (RDoC): toward a new classification framework for research on mental disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 167(7), 748–751.
• Kotov, R., Ferrari, A. J., Briggs, R., et al. (2017). The groundbreaking dimensional approach to understanding mental health. World Psychiatry, 16(2), 213–214.
• World Health Organization. (2004). Promoting mental health: Concepts, emerging evidence, practice.