A1 Journal article (refereed)
From treatment of mental disorders to the treatment of difficult life situations : A hypothesis and rationale (2023)

Bergström, T. (2023). From treatment of mental disorders to the treatment of difficult life situations : A hypothesis and rationale. Medical Hypotheses, 176, Article 111099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2023.111099

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Bergström, Tomi

Journal or series: Medical Hypotheses

ISSN: 0306-9877

eISSN: 1532-2777

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 22/05/2023

Volume: 176

Article number: 111099

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2023.111099

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87554

Abstract

The group-level symptom-reduction model of mental health care emphasizes predetermined treatment guidelines for those mental and social difficulties that are diagnosable as mental health disorders on the basis of predetermined diagnostic criteria. The model have produced generalizable information to support medical decision-making for symptom reduction. However, it may have also increased the reification of diagnostic labels, and in so doing medicalized and stigmatized complex human-life experiences, with a lack of attention to a range of social determinants and existential factors associated with mental health. Since symptom-reduction model can easily lose sight of essential non-technical and contextual aspects of mental health care, including the quality of the interaction and other common factors needed to understand and treat mental health difficulties, there is doubts that the symptom-reduction model may actually decrease the effectiveness of mental health services, as compared to a holistic approach. Based on recent critiques of the group-level symptom-reduction model to mental health care, and research on common-factor perspectives on mental health treatments, holistic conceptions of humans, and naturalistic outcome studies from several holistic mental health services from different countries, I hypothesized that an ontological turn from the treatment of “mental disorders” to the treatment of “difficult life situations” will lead to a more personalized and comprehensive treatment approach, that mediates an improved effectiveness of mental health services.

Keywords: mental health; mental disorders; treatment methods; psychiatric care; mental health services; socioeconomic factors; life situation; difficulties

Free keywords: mental health; open dialogue; ontology; psychiatry; psychiatric services

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1