NRNP_6635_WK1_Discussion  Development of Psychopathology

NRNP_6635_WK1_Discussion  Development of Psychopathology

         The biological influence on psychopathology is extremely complicated as evidenced by the first 93 pages of our required text by Sadock, Sadock & Ruiz (2015).  I am certain I am in the minority when I disagree with one of the first remarks made in the introduction about “the human brain being clearly evolved from the brain of lower animal species”(Sadock, Sadock & Ruiz, 2015). Despite this statement the book goes on to describe the complexity of the human brain. I will concede and attempt to discuss this in a way that is acceptable for higher education since we have been denied the ability to choose belief systems on this matter throughout the entire educational process.

Neuro science and genetics have played major roles in the development of diagnosis and treatment for mental health disparities but for all the factors involved including social, cultural, psychological and interpersonal factors, to really come to a conclusion when dealing with a client, one must consider all these factors together as a unit.  I believe that neuroscience has offered the greatest way to determine the probable effectiveness of treatment using evidence-based-practice.  Being able to understand the portion of the brain that is affected, the transmitters involved in psychopathology when using medications is imperative and helps to make treatment more predictable. Most psychopathologies develop due to biological heritable weaknesses coupled with high risk environments and for this reason cognitive behavioral therapies and pharmacotherapy used together can reap the best results possible if the client is amenable (Beauchaine, Neuhaus, Brenner & Gatzke-Kopp, 2008).

Cognitive and psychological dysfunctions may work together as well in that the clients who are having difficulty psychologically may have concurrent cognitive dysfunction that prevents them from seeking or even recognizing there is any kind of dysfunction at all. Recognition of dysfunction is imperative to diagnosis, for this reason neuropsychological evaluation is not used at this time as a test for psychopathology (Jackson & Milburg, 2018).

Social stigma for those with mental health disparities is still something that many cultures do not tolerate. Diagnosing clients from different cultures requires careful translation with the help of translators who are trained in the mental health field. Unfortunately, in my experience the translators are simply not available to the degree that is needed.  Also understanding the language does not guarantee understanding the culture (Cheung & Mak, 2018). It may take years to really understand what is happening with a client. It may take more time than those providing care or those receiving care are able to provide when the translations are unavailable because of dialect and lack of social support. This is sadly a real-world practice in a State facility. Many times, when a patient has no family and has no papers, they are impossible to place and they are unable to communicate effectively so they remain lost in a system that must be improved. It is my hope that as advance practice nurses, we can make a difference and relieve some of the disparities that are present in the current system. Place some of the clients who are “not placeable” per the administrators of my facility. Have translators for the clients who just want to talk to someone and relieve some of their loneliness. It would be a great thing to be able to help the patients communicate so they can be diagnosed and treated more effectively.

References

Beauchaine, T. P., Neuhaus, E., Brenner, S. L., & Gatzke-Kopp, L. (2008). Ten good reasons to

consider biological processes in prevention and intervention research. Development and

          Psychopathology, 20(3), 745-774.