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Coping strategies are a method of self-help used by individuals suffering from mental health conditions, such as generalised anxiety. Whilst coping strategies can temporarily aid in the symptoms of mental health conditions, they do not cure the condition, as they do not tackle the underlying cause of the stress. For example, individuals may use methods of coping such as writing down their feelings, or expressing their emotions to others who are experiencing the same distress.

However, coping strategies can be seen as ineffective by some individuals, therefore resulting in the development of maladaptive tendencies. Coping strategies are not always good for an individuals well being and may result in the development of unhealthy habits. Maladaptive methods of coping might include habits such as alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, self-harming, binge eating or starvation. According to a study conducted in 2005, ''frequency of heavy drinking increased by 24% with each additional stressor reported by men and by 13% with each additional stressor reported by women'' (Dawson et al, 2005). Maladaptive coping mechanisms can result in the development of more severe conditions when they are not treated. For example, an individual who binge eats when they are stressed may later develop an eating disorder as a result of using unhealthy coping mechanisms, resulting in them having to seek further help to attack their underlying stress.

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Understanding and interpretation of behaviour

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Understanding and interpretation of behaviour

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As medicine and treatment become updated over time, practitioners are able to learn and apply modern psychological approaches. Understanding and interpreting varying forms of behaviours allows practitioners to provide a better standard of care to service users. When practitioners have developed their own learning and understanding relating to psychology, they can apply this to practice and use their knowledge to benefit service users.

The behaviourist theory, developed by B.H Skinner and Ivan Pavlov, aids practitioners in developing the understanding of different behaviour, detailing reasons for behavioural differences, various reactions to life experiences and social situations. Behaviourist theories, alongside the social learning theory, can be applied by healthcare professionals when treating and caring for service users. Social learning theory relates to observations made by individuals, and how people develop role models throughout life. Therefore, a practitioner could utilise this theory to understand why an individual is behaving in a particular way, based on their primary caregivers, relatives and environment. This may be significantly relevant when working with children and young people, as youths are easily influenced by the individuals around them, alongside external environmental factors.

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Working in a person-centred way stems from providing care that puts service users at the heart of their own decisions and treatment. When a service user is receiving person-centred care, they are actively involved in making informed decisions and developing care plans relevant to their own needs. However, this process may also include the relatives of the service user acting in their best interest, depending on the mental capacity of the individual.

The concept of person-centred care was established as a result of the humanistic perspective in psychology, developed by both Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Maslow and Rogers developed two interlinking theories that present the important of person-centred care, as they were able to demonstrate how individuals can be influenced by their environment and other external factors. Through Roger's theory, the experiences that an individual faces can have an increasingly negative effect on their self-concept and ideal self. For example, if an individual suffered abuse during childhood they may have a negative self reflection, resulting in lack of confidence and self-esteem. Relating to person-centred care, Roger's approach represents the importance of an individual having a safe and caring environment during growth and human development, as negative influences can deter from a healthy mental well-being.

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Professional practice within the sector has largely improved due to the provision of psychological research, theories and evidence provided.

One researcher who had a significant influence on current practice was John Bowlby, who developed the Attachment Theory, which was further supported by the biological perspective. The research that Bowlby conducted resulted in improvements being made with regards to maternity and neonatal care, in accordance with the evidence he provided. Bowlby's theory reflected the importance of bonding between mother and baby from birth. As children grow, the initial bond that was developed at birth can have sizeable influence relating to future attachment. When infants and young children are deprived from contact with their primary caregiver, it can cause attachment issues in later life. For example, if a child is taken into care from a young age, it might become increasingly difficult for the attachment to reoccur. Therefore, within modern practice, midwives and other health professionals allow time for the mother and baby to bond, particularly having skin-to-skin contact

The Human Genome Project also reflects the significance of research and evidence-based practice. As stated by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), ''the Human Genome Project (HGP) was the international, collaborative research program whose goal was the complete mapping and understanding of all the genes of human beings'' (NHGRI, 2018). The HGP was responsible for the discovery of the genes responsible for the development of cystic fibrosis (CF). This research has encouraged others to develop treatments and forms of care with the aim of helping individuals who suffer from CF, through treating the condition or making symptoms easier to cope with.

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Dawson, D. et al. (2005). The association between stress and drinking: modifying effects of gender and vulnerability [online]. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/alcalc/article/40/5/453/188522 [Accessed 13/02/2022].

Good Therapy. (2015). Therapeutic Relationships [online]. Available from: https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/definition-of-therapeutic-relationship [Accessed 13/02/2022].

NHGRI. (2018). What is the Human Genome Project? [online]. Available from: https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project/What [Accessed 13/02/2022].

Mind. (2019). Electroconvulsive therapy [online]. Available from: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/electroconvulsive-therapy-ect/about-ect/#:~:text=Electroconvulsive%20therapy%2C%20or%20ECT%20for,of%20some%20mental%20health%20problems [Accessed 13/02/2022].

Wyatt, L. et al. (2017). Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care. London: Hodder Education Group.

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As stated by Good Therapy, ''a therapeutic relationship, or therapeutic alliance, refers to the close and consistent association that exists between at least two individuals: a health care professional and a person in therapy'' (Good Therapy, 2015). Therapeutic relationships stem from both the psychodynamic perspective, alongside psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis was developed the purpose to support individuals suffering from generalised anxiety disorders, low mood and depression. The idea of this form of therapy is to aid individuals in understanding their own thought processes, and gain an insight into the reasoning behind it. For example, individuals with anxiety may suffer from unconscious thoughts stemming from negative experiences, which may be increasingly difficult to process. However, psychoanalysis provides information behind these unconscious thoughts, which can assist in the treatment of mental health conditions.

The psychodynamic perspective was researched further and extended by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. The theorised approaches developed by Maslow and Rogers led to the establishment of person-centred counselling, having a large influence on patient care across health and social care (HSC) services. The concept of person-centred counselling reflects the importance of therapeutic relationships, as practitioners must practice in a way that supports service users individual needs, whilst being compassionate and empathetic.

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As the sector is continuously modernising, professionals have become increasingly more aware of mental health conditions, treatments and available support. Due to this, service users have also become informed across a multitude of services, providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions regarding their care and treatment. Unlike past healthcare practice, service users do not have a reliance on medical professionals, such as general practitioners (GP's), to assist them in understanding their own condition, or symptoms. Information provided by different services aids individuals in coping with their condition, and understanding why they are experiencing different symptoms. For example, the NHS 111 online self-help service benefits service users as it provides information relating to different medical conditions, followed by an array of advice that can be used to help individuals reach an informed conclusion and access support if they need to.

Modern practitioners and researchers have an increased understanding of the cognitive, emotional and physical influences that the mind has on the human body. The biological perspective provides an insight into the affect that the mind has on the human body. As theorised by Hans Selye, the General Adaption Syndrome (GAS) is applied to understand the way different conditions affect the body at different stages. Particularly, stress can influence the human body in different ways, and through Selye's theory both service users and professionals can become aware of this to help prevent the breakdown stage.

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Psychological research provided modern HSC professionals and theorists with information later used to develop new appropriate interventions, relating to the treatment of mental health conditions. A previously used method of mental health intervention was electroconvulsive therapy, defined as ''a treatment that involves sending an electric current through your brain, causing a brief surge of electrical activity within your brain (also known as a seizure)''. Electroconvulsive therapy was utilised during the treatment of various mental health conditions, with the aim of subsiding symptoms and treating the condition.

However, modernised approaches were later applied to the sector as a result of various theories and researched publications. One of the key approaches used in modern psychological practice is talking therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Different variations of talking therapies can be applied to an array of conditions, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and depression. The benefits of talking therapies have been widely discovered within the sector, as ''cognitive behavioural therapy is one method which has been found to be more effective than medication in helping people to manage their stress'' (Wyatt et al, 2017).