PSYC10004 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Mental Health Professional, Disease Burden, Clinical Psychology
30 Oct 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
PSYC10004 notes
Clinical Psychology
Lecture 1: Introduction to clinical psychology
- Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realises his
or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, and is able to make
a contribution to his or her community. (WHO, 2007)
- Not just the absence of psychological problems Mental health facts:
(WHO, 2007)
- Half of mental disorders begin before age 14
- 800, 000 people world-wide complete suicide every year
- Mental disorders increase risk for physical disorders, and vice
versa
- Many health conditions increase risk for mental disorders
- Stigma prevents people for seeking mental care
- Great inequities in availability of mental health professional across
world, mental care may not be entirely accessible to everyone, e.g. living
in rural areas. Online services may need to be provided Burden of mental
health problems:
- Disease burden measured in Disability-Adjusted life years
(DALYS), how many life years are estimated to be lost due to mental
disorders.
- Treatment that can be done with cash and economic resolutions
are made in 2020, so diseases such as diarrhoeal issues can be treated.
Increase in mental isues. Burden of mental illness:
- Larger percentage of years lost as a result of a mental illness disability is large
compared to other
disordersAge of onset for high prevalence disorders in Australia:
- 64% of people have onset of a disorder by the age of 21 years Prevalence of high
prevalence disorders in Australia by age and gender:
. - Skewed to the left, younger people are more prevalent to disorders, and
females are more prevalent
. - Could be due to cultural factors, not able to come out and seek help
Where can people access help?
- G.P. (general practitioner)àPsychologist or Psychiatrist
- Remote counselling services like lifeline
- Counselling services like M.U. Counselling
- Importantly, friends, family, and less formal supports Clinical
psychology:
- Integrates science, theory, and practice to understand, predict and
alleviate maladjustment, and to support personal development.
- Clinical psychology focuses on the intellectual, emotional, social,
biological, psychological, and behavioural aspects of human functioning across
the lifespan, in varying cultures, and at all economic levels.Evidence based
practice in clinical psychology:
- Is an evidence based discipline. Interpretations of evidence based practice
- Richard McFall’s manifesto for a science of clinical psychology.
Scientific clinical psychology is the only legitimate and acceptable form of
clinical psychology McFall: Psychological services should not be administered
until:
1. - Exact nature of the service is described clearly
2. - Claimed benefits are stated explicitly
3. - Benefits are validated scientifically
4. - Possible negative side effect that might outweigh any benefits must be
ruled out empirically What counts as evidence?
- Quantitative studies
- Efficacy trials – ideal conditions
- Effectiveness trials – Pragmatic, real world
