THE EFFECTS OF MENTAL ILLNESS

The Effects Of Mental Illness On the Successful Achievement Of Life Tasks During The Developmental Stages

Abstract

The paper summarize the evidence on the efficacy of current psychological treatments for eating disorders and discuss ways in which their application and effectiveness in clinical practice might be enhanced. (Laura & Richard 2008) Adolescence, also known as teenage years is a time of dramatic change. This phase of life marks a developmental period that follows childhood and comes before adulthood. Adolescence is closely associated with puberty, which is also considered as a developmental milestone, particularly in the western countries. Puberty refers to the period of adolescence when a person becomes capable of reproduction (Carpenter, S. & Huffman, K., 2008).

Introduction

In this paper I have summarize the evidence on the efficacy of current psychological treatments for eating disorders and discuss ways in which their application and effectiveness in clinical practice might be enhanced. (Laura & Richard 2008) Adolescence is a time of rapid physical growth which is illustrated by the drastic growth spurt in the height, weight and skeletal muscles. In this phase, rapid development of tests, scrotim and penis develops in adolescent boys whereas development of ovaries, uterus, and vagina occurs in adolescent girls. I believe some of the factors that lead to this rapid physical development can be held responsible to both hereditary and environmental influences. Hereditary influences are also referred to as “inherited” qualities which are passed on from the parents to the offspring. In this paper, I will discuss the various factors that affect the physical, cognitive, social, moral, and personality development of adolescents.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is defined by the successful pursuit of thinness through dietary restriction and other measures, resulting in body weight below the normal range. (Sandra 2007)

Treatment Efficacy

The most salient fact about psychotherapy research on anorexia nervosa is that there is remarkably little evidence to review. (The Special Educator 2009)

Family Therapy

Family therapy is the most extensively researched treatment for anorexia nervosa, contributing at least one cell to more than half of all randomized controlled trials. (Sandra 2007)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most frequently tested individual treatment for anorexia nervosa, having been included in six randomized controlled trial designs. The results are difficult to interpret, however, as four used abbreviated forms of the approach and two could not be analyzed because of attrition from the comparison conditions. (Laura & Richard 2008)

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent binge eating (uncontrolled consumption of a large amount of food); regular compensatory behavior designed to influence body shape and weight (e.g., self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise); and negative self-evaluation that is unduly determined by body shape and weight. (Sandra 2007)

Treatment Efficacy

Manual-based cognitive behavioral therapy is the most researched evidence-based treatment for bulimia nervosa. Interpersonal psychotherapy has also received empirical support. (The Special Educator 2009)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Theory-driven, manual-based cognitive behavioral therapy is based on a cognitive model of the mechanisms that are thought to maintain bulimia nervosa. (Laura & Richard 2008)

Current Challenges and Future ...