What differentiates humans from other creatures is our ability to learn from our past experiences which include issues and problems faced as well as being capable to adapt to changes. However, the pace at which a person adjusts or learn the new things is what constitutes personality. There are several theoretical perspectives which helps in backing the reasoning behind the difference in the manner in which people approach matters and include biological, behavioral, psychodynamics, humanist and trait theories. In my view, psychodynamics (psychoanalysis) perspective is important in shaping the personality of individuals in that some components come to play. The elements are summarized in the psychosexual stage theory which is associated with Sigmund Freud; and stages of psychosocial development which was coined by Erik Erikson. In his study, Freud concluded that personalities are mainly affected by id, superego and the ego (Magidson et al., 2014). The ego is critical in moderating the demands placed by reality, id, and superego, ensuring there is better control of human actions and behavior. On the other hand, Erikson suggests that human life is a blend of stages and conflicts unique to each (Magidson et al., 2014). Progress in personality is greatly influenced by the ability of an individual to overcome problems faced.
Optimal Mental Health and Effective Functioning
Good mental health cannot be considered to be the absence of mental disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In my view, optimal mental health extends to the ability of minds to form thoughts which could help a person realize his or her abilities to overcome challenges, work regularly in a productive manner and contribute to the wellbeing of the society. According to Cole et al. (2014), effective individual and community functioning and wellbeing are contributed by the good mental health of each and every person.
Mental health is not an independent aspect of persons, but rather multiple factors determine its realization as well as the occurrence of mental disorders. These factors include those whose nature is biological, social and psychological. For instance, poor housing and low education attainment are directly linked to poverty. The vulnerability of individuals to mental health disorders is high in individuals who are underprivileged since they have nothing to show and their hope keeps dwindling as the community distant itself from such people (Magidson et al., 2014). When people fail to address an issue of significance in the lives of people including a sense of hopelessness, risk of violence, insecurity, and rapid social change, where some individuals find it difficult to adapt to them, also increase the rate at which people become prone to mental disorders.
Human Nature and Counselling
Humans have a strong belief in some elements such as love and hope whose influence is evident in mental health. There is a great connection between mental health problems and lack of any of these things. Love makes people strong and feels a sense of belonging to a certain society. Psychodynamics has great influence on the perception of the relationship of oneself with regard to a society. For instance, a person who might have undergone violence in the childhood stage at the watch of some people or the society might have a low sense of belonging and instead feel hated (Shariff et al., 2014). This nature of humans (being loved and loving back) has a correlation with psychodynamics theories. Being loved regardless of gender, social status, and race, makes a person have good mental health which is one role of counseling.
Hope is another important aspect which contributes to nature of people and plays a critical role in the mental wellbeing of a person. It can be cultivated using meaningful conversation with people by sharing problems and by doing so, one gets closer to the identification of a solution which best suits a situation at hand (Shariff et al., 2014). This is an avenue for self-discovery in terms of potential to achieve greatness in future. On the contrary, awful talks are demoralizing and cause hopelessness which is linked to poor mental health and makes people perceive themselves as losers. This one also is correlative with psychodynamics theories.
Reflection on My Growth in Clinical Psychology
As a clinical psychology student, I have been taken through various topics such as understanding personalities and mental health problems. In it, I have gotten comprehension as to why people behave the way they do and the factors which modify behaviors. Clinical psychologists do not treat the physical health problems, but rather help in the recovery of individuals from some issues people face in life (Tavris, 2014). According to our course, treatments which cannot be administered by other healthcare practitioners including those which are related to behavior, fall under the clinical psychology. A prescription is one thing and recovery is a different thing. For a patient to recover from a health problem, clinical psychologists are needed to offer counsel as to what the patient should do to make sure his or her health is restored. My understanding of the role of a clinical psychologist has grown gradually and I anticipate there I a lot to learn in the near future, increasing my passion for the degree.
References
Cole, M. W., Repovš, G., " Anticevic, A. (2014). The frontoparietal control system: a central role in mental health. The Neuroscientist, 20(6), 652-664.
Magidson, J. F., Roberts, B. W., Collado-Rodriguez, A., " Lejuez, C. W. (2014). Theory-driven intervention for changing personality: Expectancy value theory, behavioral activation, and conscientiousness. Developmental psychology, 50(5), 1442.
Shariff, A. F., Greene, J. D., Karremans, J. C., Luguri, J. B., Clark, C. J., Schooler, J. W., ... " Vohs, K. D. (2014). Free will and punishment: A mechanistic view of human nature reduces retribution. Psychological science, 25(8), 1563-1570.
Tavris, C. (2014). Science and pseudoscience in clinical psychology. Guilford Publications.
