Aversive Childhood Experiences, Without Appropriate Interventions, Lead to Life Course Violent and Criminal Behavior

Abstract

There is a continuum of severity, chronicity, and complexity of presentation and histories of those with mental health problems. These range from people with very mild mental health conditions and no confounding factors, needing only self-help, increased family support, and/or education to improve their condition to those with severe and complex histories of multiple problems in multiple domains, needing a very integrated treatment plan among multiple providers for there to be significant improvement. Determining the most effective level of care and integration needed is essential to provide the most effective care at each level of complexity [1]. For example, those with a mild Axis I diagnosis of mood disturbance, ADHD, or anxiety, with no history of violence, social maladaptation, or psychosis and very good coping skills may find that reading self-help books will give them the information they need to create more satisfying lives [2]. Those with moderate depression, ADHD phobia’s, or anxiety probably, few complicating factors, and good coping skills will do well with the traditional individual talk therapy such as CBT [3] National Association of psychotherapy, supportive relationship therapy or psycho-education once a week for 6 months or less. Consultation with a psychiatrist for medication may also be needed. Individual weekly therapy for the mild to moderate group has a recovery rate around 90%. Persons suffering from 2 diagnosable conditions such as mood or anxiety disorders and substance abuse issues, will likely need specialized group and individual and sometimes family therapy as much as twice a week for as much as 2 years. Skill building and medication may also be needed. Recovery rates for those with dual diagnoses and complicating factors using traditional talk therapy methods is typically 50%.