What are the views of essentialist and constructionist regarding diagnosing and treating mental disorders?

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I've taken six classes this semester. I have a take home final that has not allowed me to study properly for my in class final exams as I would have liked. My brain is malfunctioning due to lack of sleep. I have purchased caffeine pills, coffee is my husband, and as a desperate measure added sugar to my soda to try and stay awake please please help with this last question so I can study appropriately for my other five finals please kneeling!
There's a reason why psychiatric hospitals don't usually have gift shops: Nobody buys gifts for their patients. You go into any ward in any hospital, and you will see cards, a balloon or two, flowers, teddy bears. The psych ward is virtually the only place where you see nothing and nobody.

Mental illness is an isolating and misunderstood diagnosis, and the padded-room, wild-eyed-patient stereotype of psychiatric facilities hasn't helped make people comfortable about visiting. Patients say people are reluctant to pass on get-well-soon sentiments when the health problem is a mental illness. Within families, the diagnosis can be complicated by guilt and blame.

But research shows that these issues have a significant impact on how quickly, and how well, people recover.. And relatives are usually the primary caregivers – if they don't visit or stay current on the patient's progress, they often find themselves unprepared to deal with their loved one when he or she is discharged.

If you have a broken leg nobody stays away from the hospital. They ask about you. They empathize,
Family and friends can shame you: Why are you here? Couldn't you have dealt with it yourself? Was it really that bad?' They certainly don't bring chocolates and flowers. There's a feeling that mental illness is something that you've brought on yourself.

Take care as always!!  (+ info)

How long would one diagnosed with a serious personality disorder stay in mental health facility ?

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Thanks, folks.
I think it depends on the individual, i don't believe that being diagnosed with a personality disorder means that your life is over. Or that it means you have to identify yourself as a life long 'mental patient'.

I have a good friend who struggles with boarderline personality disorder and she relies on the mental health facilities. She (understandably) has very low self esteem, is a single parent and feels hopeless without their support. I try to encourage her to take up other hobbies and interests, focus on her positive attributes (she has a wicked sense of humour, is creative and has a very kind heart) but I think its common that people end up can seeing their diagnosis as a big part of who they are.

Personality disorders are the most sigmatised of all mental heath disorders. I find it greatly disappointing that most doctors either add to or do little to prevent this stigma. Its common that suffers for personality disorders have experienced troubled and abusive childhoods. So this is just like rubbing salt in their wounds.

A diagnosis is just a label, its a cluster of symptoms, it doesn't define who you are, you intelligence, your creativity or what you can achieve. Its important to empower yourself and work on your self esteem and developing a positive definition on who you are.

Things can get better and don't feel ashamed if you need to utilise mental heath services. Your working on improving your life and that's a brave and positive thing.

I hope things work out for you
xx  (+ info)

Who is most likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder, older adults or young/middle aged adults?

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I cant seem to find the answer to this question. If you do have an answer let me know what references you used. Thanks !
I did my own research however the answer varies depending on the actual mental disorder therefore I just want people's opinions from their own experiences.
just my own opinion and experience in the medical field, I'd say that diagnosis of certain mental disorders proliferate in the younger folks, while certain other diagnoses proliferate in the elderly. Like ADHD in the younger group and Dementia in the elderly. You can not get a specific answer with such a generalized description as "mental disorder".  (+ info)

Can you become a Mental Health Professional if you've been diagnosed with a form a mental illness yourself?

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My goal is to become a Clinical Social Worker but I've been diagnosed and treated for cyclothymia, a mild form of bipolar disorder. My condition is well treated. I'm wondering if this would prevent me from becoming licensed in this field.
Absolutely NOT! I have had 3 therapists and ALL 3 OF THEM shared with me a mental illness they once had or have. It was actually VERY reassuring to me because I felt "safe" with them since they understood me sooooo well!

I was diagnosed with C-PTSD and my therapist openly shared with me her own personal experience with her mental illness and I applaud her for that! Now, she is a doctor and fully recovered, now helping others through their tough times. Bipolar Disorder is very common and you can help MANY (and even save a few lives) for what you want to pursue. Share your own personal experience with your patients and you will be AMAZED on how successful you can be!

I also have 2 friends who had "past" mental illnesses and are now phyciatrists and are doing extremely well!!!

I believe some of the BEST therapists/doctors are doctors who have had their VERY OWN personal experiences to share! I encourage you to GO FOR IT and share what you have overcome, when that time comes. You will not just be a successful Clinical Social Worker, but an AMAZING mentor!

Warmest Wishes and Best of Luck to You and Your Decision! :)  (+ info)

If some mental disorder are from chemical imbalances, how are they diagnosed?

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There's no sample taken from brain fluid. There's nothing but a few checkmark tests and a therapist asks some questions. They can only go by what you tell them and how you act. How can they be sure in their diagnoses? They're just guessing, but can't be sure.
If they had such a good idea of what they're doing, they wouldn't misdiagnose people as much as they do.
Misdiagnoses happen with in the physical medical community also. You have to remember that they know that it's chemical because the depressions respond to medications. IF they weren't they wouldn't also you can use brain scans to tell when a person is in a severe depression. Their brain changes and the changes can be documented by real tests. They can also document the changes after a person's on anti-depressants to prove that it's a chemical imbalance. I was misdiagnosed with a medical illness as were both my brother and mother so it's not just the mental health professionals who don't always get it right. There's a lot we still don't know about medications and illnesses either physical or mental. Why do you think that everyone is concerned that the avian flu will jump species like HIV did???
Because we don't' know as much as we would like to think we do.  (+ info)

Only for those who know about schizophrenia and mental disorders?

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I am in my thirties and i am afraid to give birth because my mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was 33.So far, I am the only (normal) in my family. My younger brother(28) is bipolar. I am also afraid for myself. What do you think about that. Do you have informations about this topic. Thank you
Well, if you are 33, and haven't come down with any thing yet, chances are you won't. Have that baby!! I know a Bipolar boy and he is delightful. It isn't a life sentence.  (+ info)

What are the implications of being diagnosed or 'Labeled' with a Mental Health Disorder? eg. Bipolar disorder?

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When you are labeled with a mental health disorder such as Bipolar disorder what does this mean?

So say you have been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, what implications does the diagnosis have on your future. Is there anything that the diagnosis can stop you doing? Has anyone had bad experiences because they have been diagnosed? Does it have any implication on your medical treatment in the future?

Has anyone had any bad experiences after being 'labeled' with a mental health disorder?
Not really because I choose to not tell anyone..... I stay medicated and my disorders have little impact on my day to day life. I deal with symptoms but I don;t let it interfere with my life. It has little bearing on my job or my family as long as I stay medicated. I did have a couple of friends who I confided in that decided that it was all in my head and they tried to get me to stop taking my meds... they are no longer friends.....

You cannot join the military but other than that many people with disorders live relatively normal lives.....  (+ info)

Is it possible to diagnose certain mental disorders through a blood test?

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If so which ones?
No, you cannot diagnose any mental disorder through a blood test. There are tests that can pick up levels of neurotransmitters in urine samples, but that can't diagnose a mental disorder either, it can only detect whether there are high or low levels of certain transmitters in the body.

Often times blood tests are used to rule out physical conditions that can mimic depression and anxiety like thyroid or adrenal problems. By ruling out a physical cause for depressive and anxious symptoms (like hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency) a doctor can make a more accurate diagnosis of a mental disorder, but it isn't an actual diagnosis, only a tool to aid diagnosis.

Diagnosis of a mental disorder is made through an extensive interview with the patient, during which they describe their symptoms as specifically as possible. Family history is also looked at, and sometimes surveys are used for both the patient and their family members if they are willing to have their family involved.

Diagnosing a mental illness is highly subjective and it's not uncommon for different doctors to come to different conclusions, especially with difficult to diagnose disorders like bipolar disorder. Since there's no "gold star" method of diagnosis (like a blood test), misdiagnosis is unfortunately not uncommon. If someone feels that the diagnosis they have been given doesn't fit, they should seek a second opinion.

Hope that helps!  (+ info)

Am I likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder as an adolescent?

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For example, if I had all the symptoms of a major depressive disorder would a psychiatrist be reluctant to diagnose me because of my age (14-years-old)?
I was just looking at this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/headroom/newsandevents/programmes/horizon_hmay.shtml?rubysroom10
and apparently the woman started having Schizophrenia symptoms when she was only 14-years-old, but the doctor was unwilling to diagnose her because she was a teenager going through “hormone changes” or whatever. It juts got me thinking, kids lie and might not understand the consequences of their actions etc, so would that mean that their word would be taken less seriously?
PS: I'm not actually depressed or anything, i was just wondering if people would believe me if i was...?
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I was diagnosed with a couple mental health issues, and I need to buy a gun but I was denied....Now what?

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I am 23, and I need a gun.
I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, OCD, Post traumatic stress disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Yeah the list is long and long.
I have overdosed numerous times, been hosptialized, been admitted against my will where they got a court order. Everything, I've been there.
I need a gun, I want a gun.
Can they truly deny you because of mental health problems ?
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