Contemporary Mental Health Topic 2022

Running head: CONTEMPORARY MENTAL HEALTH TOPIC
CONTEMPORARY MENTAL HEALTH TOPIC
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Part A
Explanation of the causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The disease that has been chosen from DSM V is Autism Spectrum disorder. It is a
neurodegenerative developmental disorder that is found to be affecting the communication
behaviour and the communication in patients. This is called a spectrum disorder as there is a
wide difference in the type and severity of indications. The disease is common in all racial,
ethnic and the economic groups. People suffering from ASD faces difficulties with social
communication, collaboration , restricted interest and repetitive behaviour, which can include
repetition of words and phrases, having overly focussed interests like moving objects of parts
of the object, being more or less sensitive than other people to sensory input like light nose
clothing or temperature. The biomedical model of the disease states that it is a brain disease
and pharmacological interventions can only bring about its changes (Deacon, 2013).
Historically, it was found that autism spectrum disorder stemmed from biological
differences in the development of brain. In 1980, it was clearly differentiated from
schizophrenia. Between 1994 and 2000, the definition was extended by including the
Asperger’s syndrome, where it was mentioned that children with ASD are clumsier and are
different from the normal kids in term of fine motor skills. The exact pathomechanism of
ASD is not understood as several factors has been found to be responsible for ASD. Among
all the causes, the genetic factors has long been implicated to have a strong evidence based
aetiology (Samsam, Ahangari & Naser, 2014). Some of the associated causes conditions
related with ASD is fragile X chromosome, tuberous sclerosis, Rett syndrome and others. It
has been noticed that siblings with autistic offspring possess a greater chance of autism than
the general population. Animal models and genetic investigations have stated de novo copy
number mutations causing abnormal alleles in person having close ancestry of a person

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having autism has been found to influence the behavioural and the neuroanatomical traits.
Banerjee, Bhat and Riordan, (2014) have shown that abnormality in the trans membrane and
the improper folding of the proteins have been involved in synaptogenesis as well as it is also
linked with the disregulation of the genes involved in the synaptic function. However, with
the discover of several genes as well as the interaction of more than one genes in a single
individual, the epigenetic factors and various environmental factors has been found to be
responsible for ASD. Some of the studies have referred to the fact that mutation in the
mitochondrial DNA cases impairment in the energy metabolism that plays a role in ASD.
The fact that the behavioural deficits will be reflected in the brain lesions has been
highly discouraged. However, one of the most important finding is that an increased in both
the size and the volume of the brain in largely associated with ASD. Neuroimaging studies
have proved that the components of the “theory of mind” such as the medial prefrontal
cortex, the temporal poles and the superior temporal sulcus are weakly developed and have
shown reduced connectivity. DNA methylation correlating with the close cromatin
confirmation and transcriptional silencing. DNA methylation has been found to be playing an
important role in neurodegenerative diseases (Eshragh et al., 2018).
Karimi et al., (2017) have stated that prenatal risk factors like age of the parent,
physical and mental health of the mother, the prenatal medication use of the mother and the
socioeconomic status of the family has been widely connected linked to development of
ASD. Some of the natal risk factors includes abnormal gestation period. Other risk factors
like bleeding at the time of pregnancy, umbilical cord complication and complications during
caesarean delivery affects the brain development of the foetus.
Keeping aside the biomedical reasons, various cultural groups have their own
perception about the causes of ASD. There are cultures where it is believed that it is the

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punishment for the sins committed by the parents or by the child in the life before. Some
believe that child was a sign from god and keeps faith in god. It is their religion that gives
them patience and strength (Gona et al., 2015).
Nomothetic formulation for ASD
Cooper, Loades and Russell, (2018) have stated that psychological interventions can
be effective in treating conditions like ASD. It should be mentioned that autistic people needs
adaptations in the standard psychological treatments that are available. The adaptations
involve increased use of visual and written information, emphasising on behavioural change
over the cognitive approaches, incorporating special interest and avoiding ambiguous use of
languages. Some of the common changes includes involvement of parents, incorporation of
the child’s interest, coping statements and personalised metaphors. A behaviour monitoring
chart can be used like functional behaviour reinforcement, use of clear languages and
instructions, functional behaviour assessment and use of narratives for increasing the social
understanding. Systematic reviews have highlighted the efficiency of cognitive behavioural
therapy (CBT) in individuals with ASD. Furthermore, studies have proved that
implementation of the CBT is cost effective in comparison to the other measures. Russell et
al. (2013), have stated that modifications in the traditional CBT methods has been found to be
useful in treating ASD. Several varieties of CBT are present but most of them share common
goals. These includes structured as well as a goal directed method which is restricted to a
proper time frame and does not take more than 12-16 sessions. The therapy does not focus in
to the past but focuses on the present. A key part of CBT is psychoeducation that involves
providing education to someone about the illness that he/she has been suffering from ASD.
Traditional CBT involves a strong linguistic and the abstract thinking abilities, which can be
challenging for the individuals on the autism spectrum disorder. Kose, Fox and Storch,
(2018) have stated that there are five components of CBT like psych education, fear