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Psychology Name: Course: Instructor: Date: Clinical psychology and its effects on mental illness Psychology refers to the scientific study of the individuals, the mind as well as their behavior. There are various types of Psychology namely clinical psychology, community psychology, counseling psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, environmental psychology, social psychology, forensic psychology, experimental psychology, and industrial and organizational psychology (Wade et al, p. 1-4). On the other hand, mental Illness can be described as all diagnosable mental disorders. Mental illness is characterized by the abnormalities in thinking, behaviors, and feelings. Mental illnesses are of diverse degrees of severity and types. There are various diverse conditions that are acknowledged to be mental illnesses. These conditions include anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar mood disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, addiction and impulse control disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (Healey, p. 3-7). Many cultures have perceived mental illness to be a form of demonic possession or religious punishment. In the ancient Egyptian, Greek, Indian, and Roman writings, the mental illness was categorized to be a personal or religious problem. The colonial American society described individuals suffering from mental illness to be “lunatics” a word meaning, “moon” since it was believed that the cause of mental illness was full moon during the time of the baby’s birth or because of a baby sleeping under the full moon’s light. Such people were declared to be possessed by devil and therefore they were usually removed and locked away from the society. Such individuals were subjected to cathartic medial treatment. Such medical procedures entailed submerging in ice baths the patients until they lost their consciousness or executing massive shock to the patient’s brain. The patients were also subjected to induced vomiting and the infamous bleeding practice. Bleeding practice involved draining the patient’s bad blood which in most cases resulted to death (Healey, p. 9-14). However, during the nineteenth century, the Europeans initiated a new approach towards the treatment of the individuals suffering from mental illness. This approach advised treating the patients having mental illness well and ensuring that they live in good conditions. Thereafter psychotropic medication was introduced. In 1954, an anti-psychotic drug known as Thorazine was introduced by the medical community to treat individuals having mental illness. In 1960s, drug therapy was a famous form of treatment for mental illness, and it was effective in managing mental health. Some of the modern forms of treatment which are effective in managing mental illness include psychotherapy, medication, group therapy, and specific therapies, like behavior modification and cognitive-behavior therapy. Other treatments which are available and effective include hypnotherapy, vagus nerve stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy, creative therapies, like massage, biofeedback, and water therapy as well as creative therapies, like music therapy, art therapy, or play therapy (Byck, p. 14-19). Clinical psychology refers to a branch of psychology which is concerned with assessing and treating mental illness, psychiatric problems, and abnormal behavior. Clinical psychologists aim at reducing psychological distress as well as enhancing and promoting psychological well-being. Clinical psychologists work mainly in health as well as social care settings including health centres, hospitals, social services, community mental health teams, and adolescent and child mental health services. Clinical psychologists have specialist training to perform assessment as well as diagnosis of key psychological problems and mental illnesses. Through their specialist training, the clinical psychologists are qualified in providing expert opinion in compensation and clinical areas. They are also trained in delivery of various techniques as well as therapies with demonstrated efficiency in treating the mental health disorders (Linden et al, p. 3-8). . Clinical psychologists usually apply scientific research and psychological theory in solving multifaceted clinical psychology problems necessitating individually tailored interventions. In addition to the professional practice, the clinical psychologists may possibly be involved in teaching and supervision, research, public policy, and program development and evaluation among other activities that promote the psychological health in families, individuals, organizations, and groups. When assessing their clients, clinical psychologists can carry out a clinical assessment, through using various methods including, interviews, direct observation of the behavior and psychometric tests. Assessment may result to counseling, advice or therapy (Plante, p. 12-17). Mental illness has wide-reaching implications on people’s employment, physical health, education, and relationships (Gregoire, p. 11). Individuals who have mental illness are prone to various challenges or risks; however these risks may be reduced tremendously through treatment, predominantly when the treatment administered is timely. Clinical psychology discourages the use of the term madness when referring to mental illness since it leads to stigmatization (Thornicroft, p. 14). Clinical psychology helps in creating awareness about the need of pursuing social and psychological well-being of people which includes having emotional stability, a stable mind, supported as well as well coordinated social life of individuals and family (Linden et al, pp 11). Clinical psychology provides the clinical psychologists with the necessary knowledge required to assess, diagnose as well as treat the behavioral dysfunctions and psychological problems arising from both physical and mental illnesses. Clinical psychology helps in prevention of mental illness, promoting healthy behavior and improving the quality of life as well as well-being of the patients suffering from mental illness. Clinical psychology helps in guiding the clinical psychologists regarding how they are supposed to deal with mental illness. Clinical psychology helps in improving the self-esteem of the patient of mental illness as well as helping in eradicating discriminatory practices and stigma which patients with mental illness faces (Corrigan, p. 9-13). Clinical psychology teaches people to appreciate individuals who are having mental illness rather than being embarrassed by them. A recently conducted opinion survey showed that most people are embarrassed by mental illness patients where about 80 percent of the people who participated endorsed the statement that “most people are embarrassed by mentally ill people”, and about 30 percent agreeing “I am embarrassed by mentally ill persons” (Huxley, p.73–80). In this regard, clinical psychology educates people and helps in combating harmful stereotypes which are related to mental illness and treatment. One example of a harmful stereotype can be found in Farrell’s work “Yet they (“neurotic patients”) take up far too much of our time and energy – people complaining, miserable, depressed, neurotically whining about how unhappy they are, pouring out all their problems in the surgery and dumping them on my doorstep. It would be really unbearable if I was actually listening to them” (Farrell, p.21). In addition, it provides the clinical psychologists with the information about the most effective treatments aimed at treating mental illness. Therefore, clinical psychology helps in reducing psychological distress as well as enhancing and promoting psychological well-being (Plante, p. 21-23).

Works Cited Barker, Chris, and Nancy Pistrang. Research Methods in Clinical Psychology an Introduction for Students and Practitioners. 2nd ed. Hoboken, N.J.: J. Wiley, 2002. Print. Byck, Robert. Treating Mental Illness. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. Print. Corrigan, Patrick W. On the Stigma of Mental Illness: Practical Strategies for Research and Social Change. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2005. Print. Farrell, L. (1999) That which does not kill us will make us stronger. Irish Medical News, 21 June, p. 21. Gregoire, Alain. Adult Severe Mental Illness. London: Greenwich Medical Media, 2000. Print. Healey, Justin. Understanding Mental Illness. Thirroul, N.S.W.: Spinney, 2010. Print. Huxley, P. (1993) Location and stigma: a survey of community attitudes to mental illness: enlightenment and stigma. Journal of Mental Health UK, 2, 73–80. Linden, Wolfgang, and Paul L. Hewitt. Clinical Psychology. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print. Plante, Thomas G. Contemporary Clinical Psychology. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley, 2005. Print. Thornicroft, Graham. Shunned: Discrimination against People with Mental Illness. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. Print. Wade, Carole, and Carol Tavris. Psychology. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000. Print.