ABSTRACT
Cognitive behaviour therapy takes the view that mental health problems are related to a number of interacting causes, including psychological, emotional, social, environmental, behavioural, biological and genetic ones. Throughout this book it is clearly shown that an emphasis on a `diseased' brain or `chemical imbalance' explanation as the primary cause of mental health problems is unhelpful, may be counterproductive in treatment terms, negatively affects clients' self-perception and self-esteem, and has the unwanted effect of maintaining the problems of stigma, prejudice and discrimination. Case examples also illustrate that such an explanation does not empower and motivate clients to change nor give them a feeling of being in control over their moods and behaviour (e.g. `I can't control my anger, frustration and irritability'; `Depression just happens'; `I am just anxious for no reason'). It also makes them feel different from the rest of society (e.g. `I am mental'), creates fear of a possible relapse (e.g. `How long can I be well?'), and affects their con®dence or willingness to reintegrate into society (e.g. `I can't cope').
