The Sadness

If you were aware of only the DSM’s perspective and Minuchin’s perspective, you might conclude that they represent polar opposite ends of a conceptual continuum of clients’ individual responsibility for their symptoms. In reality, both the DSM and Minuchin represent what might be considered “moderate” etiological perspectives. More extreme views have been articulated by biological psychiatry .

On the other extreme, British psychologist David Smail holds culture responsible for causing symptoms in an individual.

Emotional distress arises from painful struggles with a real world that causes real and often lasting damage. Life isn’t easy and very few of us get through it without being

INDIVIDUAL AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHT 6.2The previous standards may be applied to almost any type of clinical observation that takes place in an interview. For example, if a client exhibits symptoms of depression or sadness during an interview, ask yourself the following questions: Is this person’s sadness unusual or extraordinary as compared to the emotional states of most people with similar life circumstances? Is the sadness disturbing or upsetting to the client? Is it particularly disturbing to other people in the client’s environment? Is the sadness adversely affecting the client’s ability to function at work, to carry on in interpersonal relationships, or to enjoy usually pleasurable recreational activities? Is there a rational explanation for the client’s sadness? That is, did an event occur that is logically associated with your client’s sadness ? Is there an adequate cultural explanation for the client’s sadness? You should not rely solely on any one of these criteria to determine that an individual has a psychological disorder. Each criterion has its shortcomings. Instead, examine 156 Structuring and Assessment marked by events which, however we look at them and whatever the colour of the light we try to cast on them, leave us worse off than we had hoped to be. The limitations of counseling to have any real impact on the kind of social, economic and health dif?culties which may sap a person’s con?dence and ability to cope are obvious. What really helps in circumstances such as these is the availability of powers to tackle the problems themselves.