Publication details
Towards better quality of life; Integrative family work in mental health
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| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The current advances in neurosciences, biochemistry and molecular genetics sparked optimistic promises that disturbances of mind and behaviour will soon be both explained and easily treated with biological methods. While such progress has been fruitful in many respects, the ensuing expectations of biomedical perspective have given also rise to increasing medicalisation of various aspects of human lives. Despite the growing body of research on psychological and social factors in mental health, these variables still seems on the margin of interest in mainstream psychiatry because of dominant biomedical model. However, the understanding of social context, particularly human relationships, is necessary not only for treatment but also for prevention. In clinical practice the therapeutic partnership with a family of so called mentaly ill person is often essential for effective treatment. A traditional psychoeducation is not always enough to help a patient and his/her family to overcome emotional and/or behavioral problems. A family approach drawing on several family therapy models provides useful inspiration. Particular attention must be paid to emotional climate in family or other significant relationships. Narrating the experience and multiple perspectives of family members may enhance the understanding of and reflection upon different meanings of behaviour of a person with mental illness. Integrative family approach seems to be necessary if we aim at emotional transformation and dialogical interaction within collaborative work between therapist, patient and family. The presentation consists of two parts. First, the integration of different perspectives in work with family in mental health is overviewed. Second, experience from clinical practice is included and also illustrated with short stories. The main objective is to emphasise certain aspects related to improvement of quality of life in mental health. The presented paper is supported by the grant No.406/06/0035 GA CR. |