CONTROVERSY ASSOCIATED WITH PERSONALITY AND PARAPHILIC DISORDERS
Between 10% and 20% of the population experience personality disorders. They are difficult to treat as individuals with personality disorders are less likely to seek help than individuals with other mental health disorders. Treatment can be challenging as they do not see their symptoms as painful to themselves or others.
Paraphilic disorders are far more common in men than in women, and generally quite chronic, lasting at least two years. Treatment of these disorders usually involves both psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic treatments.
In this Assignment, you will explore personality and paraphilic disorders in greater detail. You will research potentially controversial elements of the diagnosis and/or treatment and explain ethical and legal considerations when working with these disorders.
TO PREPARE
- Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider the insights they provide on assessing, diagnosing, and treating personality and paraphilic disorders.
- Select a specific personality or paraphilic disorder from the DSM-5-TR to use for this Assignment.
- Use the Walden Library to investigate your chosen disorder further, including controversial aspects of the disorder, maintaining the therapeutic relationship, and ethical and legal considerations.
THE ASSIGNMENT
- Explain the controversy that surrounds your selected disorder.
- Explain your professional beliefs about this disorder, supporting your rationale with at least three scholarly references from the literature.
- Explain strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with a patient that may present with this disorder.
- Finally, explain ethical and legal considerations related to this disorder that you need to bring to your practice and why they are important.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Personality and paraphilic disorders are complex mental health conditions that require specialized understanding and treatment. These disorders present unique challenges for both clinicians and patients. This assignment focuses on exploring the controversy surrounding a specific disorder from the DSM-5-TR, discussing professional beliefs about the disorder, strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with patients, and the ethical and legal considerations associated with these disorders.
Answer:
1. The controversy that surrounds the selected disorder:
The specific disorder being addressed has its own controversies, which require careful consideration. One such controversy is the issue of overdiagnosis. Some argue that certain personality or paraphilic disorders may be overdiagnosed, leading to unnecessary stigmatization and negative impacts on the individual’s perception of self. Others believe that underdiagnosis is a more significant concern, as individuals may not receive the appropriate treatment and support they need. Balancing the need for accurate diagnosis and avoiding undue labeling is a constant challenge in addressing this disorder.
2. Professional beliefs about the disorder and supporting rationale:
My professional belief regarding this disorder is rooted in a holistic and patient-centered approach. I believe that understanding the underlying causes and factors contributing to the disorder is crucial for effective treatment. This disorder should not be perceived solely as an individual’s fault or weakness, but rather as a multi-dimensional issue influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors. Emphasizing empathy and compassion towards individuals with this disorder is essential for promoting their well-being and encouraging help-seeking behaviors.
3. Strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship:
Maintaining a therapeutic relationship with patients presenting with this disorder requires a comprehensive understanding of their unique needs and challenges. Some strategies include:
– Establishing and maintaining a non-judgmental and safe environment to build trust and facilitate open communication.
– Balancing firm boundaries with flexibility to address the individual’s specific difficulties.
– Utilizing empathetic listening and validation techniques to acknowledge their experiences and emotions.
– Collaboratively setting treatment goals and involving the patient in decision-making processes.
– Providing education and psychoeducation about the disorder to enhance their understanding and reduce self-stigma.
4. Ethical and legal considerations related to this disorder:
Several ethical and legal considerations arise when working with individuals experiencing this disorder. Confidentiality is of utmost importance, and clinicians must adhere to professional standards and legal regulations regarding the protection of patient privacy. Involving the patient in the informed consent process and respecting their autonomy is crucial. Additionally, there may be legal implications regarding sexual behaviors associated with paraphilic disorders, requiring clinicians to navigate the boundaries between therapeutic interventions and potential harm to others. Maintaining professional competency through ongoing education and seeking appropriate supervision to address ethical and legal challenges is essential.
In conclusion, addressing personality and paraphilic disorders in clinical practice requires a comprehensive understanding of the controversies surrounding these disorders, professional beliefs rooted in evidence-based practice, strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship with patients, and adherence to ethical and legal considerations. By ensuring a patient-centered approach and continuously expanding our knowledge in this field, we can effectively support individuals with these disorders on their path to recovery.
