Medical Conditions and Psychology, Essay Example

Over one hundred medical disorders and ailments may appear to be psychological conditions, which requires experts to careful unmask the psychological symptoms a patient presents with. Various studies indicate that medical conditions are directly linked to spawning various mental health maladies in as many as one-fourth of all psychiatric patients (Bondi, 1992). As such, extricating the cause and the affect poses various challenges even for experienced clinicians and still retains the potential that a diagnosis is missed. Unfortunately, the majority of mental health workers and counselors depend on the diagnosis of primary-care physicians to oversee and spot any and all medical issues presented by the patient. With the passage of healthcare reform which has extended healthcare to many more Americans, primary-care physicians are overwhelmed with the influx of new patients and thus only can interact with patients briefly. Because they are time-pressed, primary-care physicians do not have adequate time with their patients to get to know them better (Bondi, 1992). This trend also applies to psychiatrists who primarily solve issues by writing prescriptions for potent drugs. One poignant culprit of a medical condition disguised as a psychological disorder is hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), which are conditions that include severe fatigue as well as anxiety and depression. The imbalance of the hormones produced by the thyroid often spawns patterns of insomnia or other sleep disorders that are intrinsically linked to depressive behaviors. Indeed, behavioral symptoms that manifest in conjunction with particular physical issues often signal that a physical cause was present. Bipolar disorder is one of the most mistreated psychological conditions within psychiatric patients.As such, the only rational option for primary physicians would be to send the patient to a specialist via a referral.

In order to mitigate this persistent phenomenon, changes must be made within the healthcare system. Psychologists need to address both the psychological and medical condition in order to effectively provide medical treatment to the patient. Psychologists need to take into a account a litany of factors in order to accurately address the symptoms exhibited by the patient. They must discuss with their patients multiple or comorbid disorders that the patient is vulnerable to, which requires clinicians to self-report on any manic tendencies he or she has felt or exhibited prior to diagnosis.  Another way to reduce misdiagnosis is by involving a close family member in the process of assessing a patient at-risk because patients often elide or fail to acknowledge various facets of their malady or condition that they render humiliating, especially if such conditions involves a manic episode.

References

Bondi, M.W. (1992). Distinguishing psychological disorders from neurological disorders: Taking axis III seriously. Professional Psychology Research and Practice,  23(4), 306-309.