Compare and Contrast Mental Health Theories
Mental health theories were developed to give us a better understanding and explanation of the physiological world. Mental health is considered one of the most challenging and evolving practices. They help to explain our feelings, behaviours, and why we are the way that we are. Healthcare workers must understand and see the patient’s perspective to be able to help create appropriate interventions for that patient. The two theories that stand out to me the most and that I have been exposed to the most in nursing school are Erikson’s and Freud’s.
Sigmund Freud was the generator of psychoanalysis, and he believes that our adult lives, which are significant parts of building our personalities, are much shaped and impacted by our childhood (McLeod, 2018). He recognized three layers of mental activity of being conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. The first five years of a person’s life can be referenced to explain any personality and mental health problems in adulthood. He also believed that the theory of nature has an interaction between innate instincts and parental influences. Parental behaviour is vital to how one behaves.
Erik Erikson was a child psychoanalyst; he described the development of a person in stages. He spiked interest in forming an identity because of his father, who concealed it from him for a long time. Erik developed eight stages of psychosocial development from birth into adulthood, and each successive level builds from each previous step (McLeod, 2018). He believed that each stage was not based solely on completing the positive characteristics but also on integrating the negative. For example, an infant must have trust, but they must also have mistrust for safety. By expanding personality development across lifespans instead of just relying on our childhood to shape our personalities makes it a more realistic perspective on development.
Both Erikson’s and Freud’s theories focus on development. They both believe that a person’s qualities and traits from category help them to develop to the next phase in life. Both theories focus on the importance of early experiences; the child develops essential characteristics and independence. Adolescence also played a vital role in both methods, they being to find their own identity and being to explore different roles and identities. Erikson sees later adulthood as a crucial part, an active and significant time of personal growth.
Although Erikson’s theory is vague and not very specific on how and why the outcome of one stage influences the other, I see myself as a future nurse using this method the most. As an inspiring pediatric nurse, I can understand myself identifying each child to a particular stage to determine what I should expect from that patient depending on their age and the Erikson’s stage they fit. I could also use Freud’s theory to help categorize my pediatric patients by age and stage. With this theory, I would have more of an understanding of what they will be able to do, like sucking, biting, and chewing physically. Unlike Erikson’s, where I would have more of an idea where they are psychologically like trust vs mistrust, and stranger danger is in full effect.
Understanding the human mind is complicated as it is, and these models are great resources for healthcare professionals to use. They help to identify personalities and place stages of development to help identify any gaps. They stress the importance of childhood and how it shapes one’s personality in adulthood. As Erikson views it, evolution is continued throughout the entire span of the person’s life.
References
McLeod, S. A. (2018, April 05). What are the most interesting ideas of Sigmund Freud?. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html
McLeod, S. A. (2018, May 03). Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
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Question 
You may choose your theories from the textbook or from other sources.
Describe each theory, including some history about the person who developed the theory and the major ideas and applications of the theory.
Compare and Contrast Mental Health Theories
Describe the ways in which the two theories are similar and how they differ.
Include a statement of how each theory could be used in your nursing practice. Include specific patient examples if you have them. You may also critique the theory: Is there anything with which you disagree or are there any problems you can identify?