Researchers call for greater clarity on what constitutes ‘mental health problem’

ANI |
Updated: February 14, 2022 11:40 PM IST

Bath [England], February 14 (ANI): Theoretical models refer to a theory, or a set of theories, that seek to explain how a problem should be understood and answered. a model for Health“>mind Health problems refers to the causes and characteristics of the condition. Now a new review of the theoretical models used around the world to assess, diagnose, investigate and treat Health“>mind Health problems has highlighted the wide range of approaches that exist.
The review was published in the ‘Journal of Mental Health’.
Examining over 100 posts that referenced ‘Health“>mind Health‘ or ‘mental illness’ in some way, researchers at the University of Bath (UK) and Bern University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland) identified some 34 different theoretical models used by practitioners, researchers and users of Health“>mind Health services to understand the nature of Health“>mind Health problems.
Importantly, they found no criteria that could be used to prioritize why one model might be used over another. This matters, they said, because how Health“>mind Health problems are understood to have lasting ramifications for how people with Health“>mind Health problems are evaluated and supported.
These ranged from biological models (focusing on problems with the body or brain), to psychological (focusing on the mind and behavior), to sociological (focusing on how social circumstances affect people), to models that were informed by cultural and consumer considerations ( that reflect the experiences of people who have been treated by Health“>mind Health services and consider how treatments should be adapted to different cultures).
Whereas before, politicians and professionals tried to form a consensus about the use of so-called ‘bio-psycho-social models’, a general term, which is based on elements of all the different models, this consensus appears to be fracturing, the researchers say.

The team said their findings had important implications in view of the sharp rise in Health“>mind Health diagnosed problems. According to the Mental Health Foundation, last week alone, it was estimated that one in six people will have experienced a common problem Health“>mind Health trouble. However, such figures depended on how the problem of Health“>mind Health was understood and measured.
Co-investigator Dr Jeremy Dixon from the Department of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Bath and the Center for Social Policy Analysis explained: “Uncertainties about what constitutes a Health“>mind Health problem has been accentuated in recent decades due to the increase in the number of Health“>mind Health conditions that are identified in manuals used by general practitioners and psychiatrists.
Professor Dirk Richter of the Bern University of Applied Sciences added: “Mental Health Problems are often presented as something that medicine understands and psychiatry. However, there is still debate about what exactly is Health“>mind Health are the problems and how they should be dealt with. These are not just academics. Questions like, ‘what are Health“>mind Health problems?’ or ‘what counts as a mental illness?’ have impacts within Health care systems. They can affect decisions about who can get a Health“>mind Health service and how behaviors such as aggression can be interpreted.
“A way around this problem could be to ask service users which model they think is most appropriate for them and their treatment. However, the consequence would be that non-medical models could become more important than clinicians would be willing to do.” to accept. .”
In view of the wide range of models used by practitioners, the researchers now called for greater clarity on how different and potentially contractive Health“>mind Health The models can be used in practice. They argued that this debate needs a greater contribution from non-medical professions and service users.
“Mental Health practitioners tend to say that they use a bio-psycho-social model in their daily work, but our research shows that this model is breaking down. Although this field has been dominated by psychiatry and psychology, the perspectives of service users and other professionals such as nurses and social workers are now beginning to be heard,” added Dr. Dixon.
“Mental Health Services must recognize the wide range of perspectives now held by those who use them. Instead of insisting that service users accept biological or psychological perspectives, Health“>mind Health practitioners need to understand and work with people’s preferences,” said Professor Richter. (ANI)