Application Of Theory Guidelines - 1693 Words

Application of Theory Guidelines Yi Duan Low SUNY Upstate Medical University NURS 609 Family Psychiatric and Mental health Theory Professor: Prof. Patricia Powers Introduction The nationwide health promotion and disease prevention plan, Healthy People 2020, recognizes that mental health promotion and mental health reduction is one of the most significant health objectives. Statistics have indicated that mental health disorders are the leading cause of disability in United States and Canada, while suicide is the 11th leading cause of death that has killed approximately 30,000 American each year (â€Å"Mental Health and Mental Disorders†, n.d.). The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended a series of†¦show more content†¦Among the many different psychotherapy modalities that were introduced during our course of study, exposure therapy, cognitive therapy, and behavior therapy intrigued me the most. Each therapy entails unique concepts and have their own strengths and weaknesses. Unlike medical prescription, clinicians shall always tailor and consider combining different psychotherapy modalities based on the patien t’s need. Exposure Therapy Edna B. Foa developed Exposure Theory and argues that fear and anxiety is a conditioned response where people have learned to use avoidance to maintain their daily functioning. Foa also argues that distressing emotions gradually subside when one confronts the feared triggers (Prochaska Norcross, 2010). There are different sub-techniques branching from the concept of exposure therapy. For instance, prolonged exposure to the actual or imaginary feared stimuli until symptoms are alleviated, is commonly used with patients suffering from phobias. Similar to exposure concept, the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is another approach to desensitize disturbing memories by recalling traumatic event and cueing eyes movements at the same time. Studies have shown that exposure therapy is the treatment of choice for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, exposure therapies have also been proven to help patients with anxiety