Section 4.

4 Treating Mental Disorders

Treating Mental Disorders

Objectives

List reasons that might prevent a person from

seeking help for a mental disorder.
Identify four types of mental health
professionals.
Describe some general types of treatment for
mental disorders.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Dear Advice Line,

Lately, I spend a lot of time just staring at the ceiling

or crying for no reason at all. I havent told anyone
about my problems. I dont want to be labeled as
a mental case.

What advice would you give to this person?

What would you say about the persons fear of being
labeled?

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Vocabulary
psychiatrist A physician who can diagnose and treat mental
disorders.

neurologist A physician who treats physical disorders of the

nervous system.

clinical A mental health professional who is trained to

psychologist recognize and treat behavior that is not normal.

psychiatric A mental health professional who helps people

social worker with mental disorders and their families to
accept and adjust to an illness.

therapy A treatment method.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Locating Community Resources

Sometimes people dont recognize the signs of a
mental disorder. Or they may have been told that,
with willpower alone, they can overcome the
problem. Or they may not know where to go for help.
The first step toward recovery is recognizing the
need for help.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Types of Mental Health Professionals

Psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers,
and mental health counselors are four types of mental
health professionals.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Psychiatrists
A psychiatrist is a physician who can diagnose and
treat mental disorders.
A psychiatrist will do a medical exam to rule out
physical causes.
Then, he or she will talk with a patient to find out
what symptoms the patient has.
A neurologist is a physician who treats physical
disorders of the nervous system.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Clinical Psychologists
A clinical psychologist is trained to recognize and
treat behavior that is not normal.
Social Workers
A psychiatric social worker helps people with mental
disorders and their families to accept and adjust to an
illness.
Mental Health Counselors
Some mental health counselors focus on specific
problems or work with specific groups of people.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

For: Updates on mental health

Click above to go online.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Kinds of Treatment
Three methods used to treat mental disorders are
psychotherapy
drug therapy
hospitalization

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Kinds of Treatment

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Psychotherapy
During psychotherapy, a person talks with a therapist.
These talks help people understand and overcome
their mental disorders.
Insight Therapy This type of therapy helps people better
understand the reasons for their behavior.
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy This type of therapy
helps a person to identify situations, objects, or thoughts
that trigger abnormal behaviors.
Group Therapy In group therapy, people meet with other
people who have similar disorders.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

Drug Therapy
Doctors prescribe drugs to treat many mental
disorders.
The drugs can relieve symptoms and allow patients
to function normally.

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Hospitalization
Sometimes people with mental disorders need
constant attention or are in danger of harming
themselves or others.

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Section 4.4 Treating Mental Disorders

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