The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) has been developed in recent years as a proposed alternative to traditional frameworks like those set out by the DSM-5 and the medical model (The British Psychological Society, 2020). The aim of the PTMF is to look at the power imbalance between individuals and how this can have a damaging effect on a person as a result of the way in which individuals respond to a potential threat (The British Psychological Society,2020). An example of a power imbalance was made in an earlier blog, the reference made was to the power imbalance that can often be seen between men and women, especially in years prior to the 1960's/1970's, where men had the power to place their female relatives into mental asylums with minimal questions being asked as to why (Chesler, 2018). One of the key themes of the PTMF is the idea of changing how we view mental health problems as well as how we ask people about the difficulties they are facing (Harper and Cromby, 2020). An article by Harper and Cromby (2020) suggests that instead of asking the question 'what is wrong with you?' we should instead be asking 'what has happened to you?' as this is the first step in shifting from the idea of a problem being evident within the person and how their mind works as opposed to the truth, which is often the result of something traumatic or oppressive to the individual.
I feel as though this framework would be a better option to that of the DSM-5 as it looks at the external factors, like poverty and discrimination, that can impact upon an individual's mental health as well as the trauma that a person may have faced, like domestic abuse and neglect (The British Psychological Society, 2020). This framework looks at how these facts have affected the individual and what can be done to help them overcome their difficulties as opposed to labelling them as mentally ill and prescribing them with antipsychotic medication like the DSM-5 dictates (Strong, 2019).
I truly believe that if the PTMF became the standard framework for mental health 'diagnosis', instead of the DSM-5, people experiencing mental health difficulties would feel more valued and would be more likely to partake fully in services offered to them as they would feel as though they were being listened to and that their experiences mattered (Strong, 2019). I also believe that the PTMF would also assist in the shift from antipsychotic medication to talking therapies, like counselling, as the primary source of treatment offered. This would hopefully occur as a result of the de-medicalisation of mental distress caused by professionals starting to ask the revised questions suggested by Harper and Cromby (2020).
After reading the literature by The British Psychological Society (2020), Strong (2019) and Harper and Cromby (2020) I have come to the following conclusion. I personally feel as though the use of the PTMF would revolutionise the field of mental health. This framework has the potential to assist more people within wider society to understand mental health allowing for a wider acceptance to take place. If this were to occur, I feel as though people within society would be more open and willing to discuss their hardships as opposed to suffering in silence. I believe that this would not only make people more open to the idea of talking therapies but it could also have the potential of helping alleviate some of the strain the services may face due to people feeling as though their loved ones share an understanding because the label of ‘mentally ill’ is unable to stand in the way because it isn’t a brain problem it’s a societal problem.
What is your opinion?
Do you think the Power Threat Meaning Framework should replace the framework outlined by the DSM-5?
Should we, as a society, stop labelling people as ‘mentally ill’ and instead make people feel supported when they are experiencing something difficult?
Never forget there is always someone there that will be willing to listen to you and provide you with a non-judgemental environment for you to work through your difficulties, whatever they may be.
If you need any help or even just someone to talk to please don’t hesitate to email me, I am not a professional, but I am always willing to listen and not judge. STIGMA NEEDS TO STOP!