Biopsychosocial Causes of Mental Illness

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the writer describes two mental illness cases studies.
The first case study is of an individual suffering from a form of bipolar disorder and the writer discusses the approaches he would take to assist in helping both the individual and his family. The second case study described is about a teenager with schizoaffective disorder. In regards to this case study, the writer references the book, "Teens Who Hurt" by K.V. Hardy and T.A. Laszloffy, and discusses how Hardy and Laszloffy's model of teenage violence explains a part of this teenager's mental illness. The writer then relates the lessons he learned from this book and concludes that this book is critical reading for workers in both the mental health and criminal justice systems.

Outline:
The Earley Family
April Hernandez
Lessons

From the Paper:

"Given my interests in social work surrounding mental health and hospital based work, I would most likely have met Mike when his father brought him to Inova Fairfax Hospital after his first major psychiatric episode. While there is not much information provided about Mike's stay at Dominion Hospital, I could envision myself working on the clinical team assigned to Mike's case. With Mike, it is apparent that he has a form of bipolar disorder because of his mood cycling, delusions, sleeping and eating problems, and interpersonal relationship breakdowns (Earley, 2006). I would not have been involved with the initial evaluation which normally is reserved for psychiatrists, but I would have an active role in Mike's treatment, case management, and both individual and family therapy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blackwood, D.H., Pickard, B.J., Thomson, P.A., Evans, K.L., Porteous, D.J., & Muir, W.J. (2007). Are some genetic risk factors common to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression? Evidence from DISC1, GRIK4 and NRG1. Neurotoxicity Research, 11, 73-83. Retrieved February 12, 2008, from Academic Search Complete database.
• Earley, P. (2006). Crazy: A father's search through America's mental health madness. New York: Berkley Books.
• Gardiner, H. W., & Kosmitzki, C. (2001). Lives across cultures: Cross-cultural human development (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Hardy, K.V., & Laszloffy, T. A. (2007). Teens Who Hurt. New York: The Guilford Press.
• National Institute of Mental Health. (2008). Scientists can predict psychotic illness in up to 80% of high-risk youth. Retrieved February 12, 2008, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008.

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