Assignment: Mental Health Versus Mental Illness

1. Properly poised and magnificently coiffed, Michelle entertains the room. After taking one last spoonful of soup, she politely excuses herself from the dinner table and retreats to the bathroom. Uncovering a toothbrush concealed in her purse, she pushes the toothbrush down her throat and gags.  With this behavior, Michelle conceals much more than a toothbrush.

Patterns of mental illness might be concealed all too well by external variables, such as a successful lifestyle, a well-groomed appearance, or a dynamic personality. At times, those suffering with mental illness may be able to control external variables, thus hiding any signs and symptoms. As a result, the differentiation between mental health and mental illness is not always so clear. As a future professional in the field of psychology, you must consider how mental health differs from mental illness for an accurate diagnosis on the basis of the DSM.

For this Discussion, consider the different ways to conceptualize mental health and mental illness in the field of psychology. Think about how this conceptualization may influence your assessment and diagnosis of a client.  With these thoughts in mind:

Write brief explanation of the different ways in which mental health and mental illness may be conceptualized in the field of psychology. Then explain at least two ways in which this conceptualization may influence your assessment and diagnosis of a client. Provide examples based on current literature and Learning Resources.  Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and current literature.

2. Many variables, such as work, family, friends, and/or lifestyle, may influence the development of mental illness. Along with these variables, a client’s individual variables, such as age and maturity, may also play a role in this development. Although such variables may increase a client’s level of risk in the development of mental illness, conversely, they may also assist in a client’s level of resilience. As a future professional in the field, it is essential to understand how variables influence the development of mental illness.

For this Discussion, select a variable that contributes to risk and resilience for a client. Think about why this variable might be considered in client diagnosis. Consider how this variable may interact with one individual variable.

With these thoughts in mind:

Write a brief description of one variable that contributes to risk and resilience of clients. Then explain why this variable is important to client diagnosis. Finally, explain how this variable might interact with one individual variable in the development of psychopathology. Provide an example and justify your response using the current literature and Learning Resources.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and current literature.