Since mental health problems are particularly related to the psychological state and the abilities of individuals to maintain their feelings, emotions, and behaviors, an abundance of complementary or alternative treatments proves effective. Indeed, severe mental states are commonly accompanied by symptoms that are difficult to manage and that have an adverse impact on people’s ability to handle everyday life activities. For that matter, such alternative treatments as dance therapy, art therapy, laugh therapy, yoga, meditation, and others allow for adjusting patients’ coping abilities and improve the healing effects of conventional treatment.
Alternative treatments for severe mental health issues are used to aid in enhancing the conventional treatment methods’ results. In particular, they are to provide deep relaxation, emotion management, pain management, stress reduction, and other aspects of mental illnesses that patients commonly experience. As the study conducted by Suhron and Amir (2018) shows, laughter therapy and deep relaxation therapy help reduce violent behaviors in violent patients. Moreover, as Sethi (n. d.) claimed, laughter used for therapeutic purposes helps significantly reduce pain. In such a manner, the symptoms of serious mental diseases are reduced (which is mainly achieved through conventional methods), as well as self-perception, self-awareness, and self-esteem are improved, which are crucial for successful recovery.
However, although alternative therapy is expected to enhance the recovery, it must not cause harm or impede the healing process, so it is essential to use it based on evidence. Indeed, an important issue in this regard is the practitioner’s awareness of providing care to a patient with a severe mental illness about the compatibility of illness’ specifics and the particularities of the proposed alternative treatment. For example, as stated by Weintraub (n. d.), meditation has a powerful therapeutic effect on an observing mind; however, it might be of a deteriorating impact on a person with severe depression. Thus, whether using alternative or conventional methods, a practitioner must align with the evidence-based practice guidelines to ensure the benefits for the patients.
References
Sethi, G. (n. d.). Laughter therapy. Web.
Suhron, M., & Amir, F. (2018). Reduce violent behavior schizophrenia: A new approach using LT (Laughing Therapy) and DRT (Deep Relaxation Therapy). Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 9(8), 1518-1523.
Weintraub, A. (n. d.). Lifeforce yoga (Part 1). Web.