peer replies of at least 100 words

Tess Peer 1

The Brickman Models present an interesting dilemma in helping and coping by asking two questions right off the bat: 1) Who is responsible for the problem and 2) who is responsible for the solution (Liberty University [LU], n.d.)? Under the Moral Model, the individual is both the cause and the solution, but with the help of a coach (LU, n.d.). In the Compensatory Model, someone or something else is considered the cause, but the individual is the solution, with the helper being a teacher (LU, n.d.). In the Enlightenment Model, the individual is the cause, but the solution is found in someone or something else, with help being an authority figure (LU, n.d.). In the Medical Model, someone or something else is both the cause and the solution, with the helper being an expert (LU, n.d.). The needs of the individual are different according to each model as well. For example, under the Moral Model, the individual is thought to need motivation, whereas under the Medical Model, the individual is thought to need treatment (LU, n.d.). Under the Enlightenment Model, the individual is thought to need discipline, whereas under the Compensatory Model, the individual is thought to need power (LU, n.d.).

I prefer to take a balanced approach to most things, so for me, the preferred model probably includes a bit of each, depending on the situation. I think that in most situations, the circumstances are not black and white, and causes and solutions cannot be limited to one entity. Thus, the cause and the solution are probably found in both the individual and someone or something else. There are exceptions, of course, and situations where one model might be more preferable to another, but in general, I believe there is no “correct” approach, and each case should be dealt with on an individual basis. In addition, I believe each person probably has multiple or nuanced needs as well. Someone struggling with an issue might need motivation, treatment, discipline, 
and power (or any combination of the four of them). To limit the help one receives to a certain model seems like it would be counterproductive more often than productive.

As a person that struggles with anxiety, I was highly drawn to the video on how to cope with anxiety given by Olivia Remes (TEDx Talks, 2017). She discussed how anxiety orders are more common than most people realize, with about one in every fourteen people suffering from the disorder (TEDx Talks, 2017). Anxiety disorders can cause depression and other disabilities or disorders, can lead to suicide, and costs over $42 billion annually to treat nationwide, though most people who have the disorder do not have the resources for treatment (TEDx Talks, 2017). For instance, people in poor areas, people who have lived through extreme circumstances, faced adversity, seen or fought in wars, or had been the victims of natural disasters, all had higher likelihoods of having anxiety disorders (TEDx Talks, 2017). She also discussed coping mechanisms and how they can help alleviate some of the burden that anxiety disorders can cause, even in cases such as those previously listed, where the statistics would suggest that those people should be struggling with anxiety (TEDx Talks, 2017). Specifically, she gave three coping methods that can offset the deleterious effects of anxiety. The first coping strategy was feeling like you’re in control of your life, which can be achieved by not being afraid of doing something badly, especially if it’s the first time (TEDx Talks, 2017). The second coping strategy was to forgive yourself and start being kinder to yourself (TEDx Talks, 2017). The final strategy was to have a purpose and meaning in life, which could be as simple as doing things with someone else in mind, giving you the why and how to keep going (TEDx Talks, 2017).

I must admit, those three strategies were not what I expected. I thought perhaps she would give some specific cognitive-behavioral type coping mechanisms such as focusing on breathing when you feel a panic attack coming on. Those three strategies seemed quite broad at first and I almost dismissed them, but when I thought about them a little longer and deeper, I realized that these coping strategies are ones that are more focused on the root of anxiety than on the symptoms of it. To break down the foundation of the disease is what will get it to lose its power over the long term. These are not quick fixes, but marathon fixes that are focused on rebuilding the neural pathways of the mind. I’m glad I listened to this TEDx Talk and plan on starting to incorporating these three strategies into my life!

References

Liberty University. (n.d.)
 PSYC635_M5_BrickmansModelsHelpingCoping. [Video]. Cdnapisec.kaltura.com. https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/2167581/uiconf_id/39959791/entry_id/1_z87f5ulh/embed/dynamic

TEDx Talks (2017, May 11). 
How to cope with anxiety | Olivia Remes | TEDxUHasselt. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/WWloIAQpMcQ

James Peer 2

Psychopathology

There is often a fine line between mental health and mental disorders. One person’s normal may not be the same as someone else’s. The study of psychopathology within a multidimensional life-span view involves analyzing normal and abnormal behavior when considering factors of a biological, psychological, social, and age-related basis (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2023). The stigma attached to various disorders can deter individuals from seeking treatment, but recent efforts to promote mental health awareness have begun to put a dent in social attitudes towards mental illness. The TED talks from this week’s module are a prime example of how first person narratives can bring about change in social attitudes toward mental disorders. 

The TED talk about addiction this week was a new one for me and quite compelling. Hari makes profound points about how addiction is viewed by many in society and how the current system continues to ostracize rather than rehabilitate (TED, 2015). He argues for decriminalizing substance use and converting punitive measures into programs that emphasize social connection and bonding. His speech echoes the kind of acceptance that Jesus teaches throughout the Gospels yet many of us do not follow through on in our daily lives. 

Coping Models

Individuals with mental disorders might view their illness as laid out by four different models, whether knowingly or unknowingly. According to Brickman et al. (1982), in the moral model, individuals believe that the source of the problem is their fault, but also they are the only ones who can fix it. In the enlightenment model, individuals feel like the fault may lie within but they must need outside support to fix the problem. Many addicts might ascribe to this model if they feel that support groups are the only way to keep them accountable. In the medical model, both the cause and the treatment are externalized. There is more of an expectation that a professional knows how to fix the problem and that little to no self-direction is required. Many medical afflictions fit under this model as individuals would rather take various medications instead of changing lifestyles to be healthier. Finally, the compensatory model is one that I leaned towards at first because it acknowledges that you don’t have control over a lot of things in life, but you do have control over how you respond. Though I think this model has a lot of value for some situations, I could also see it backfiring to a point where someone may become too proud to ask for help.

References

Brickman, P., Rabinowitz, V. C., Karuza, J., Coates, D., Cohn, E., & Kidder, L. (1982). Models of helping and coping. 
American Psychologist, 37(4), 368–384. 

https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.37.4.368Links to an external site.

Cavanaugh, J. C., & Blanchard-Fields, F. (2023). 
Adult development and aging (8th ed.). Cengage Learning

Hari, J. (2015, July 9).
 Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong [Video file]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMsLinks to an external site.

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