Psychoprophylaxis is a set of various activities aimed at examining and thoroughly studying the reasons that led to the occurrence of certain deviations in behavior and deviations. Also, this area is responsible for the timely identification and elimination of such consequences. Psychological prevention is a general direction of practical activity and a section of training programs in medical and practical psychology.
Official definition
This industry occupies an important place in domestic medical practice. In particular, Russian he alth care today is actively highlighting precisely the preventive direction, whether it is related to therapy, surgery, infectious diseases or psychology. In the latter case, doctors take preventive measures in identifying various kinds of disorders. Within the framework of the discipline, the dynamics of the neuropsychic states of a person in the conditions familiar to him are widely studied -in a domestic environment and during their work activities.
In fact, this direction is one of the general sections of prevention. The socio-psychological methods that are used in the study and diagnosis are quite diverse and may also include some physiological methods of influencing the patient. In addition, within the framework of the discipline, the influence on the individual of various harmful factors in production is checked, whether it be vibration, intoxication, regular labor overstrain, or the specific nature of the activity.
Methods used
Specialists carry out work with the help of several proven schemes. In total, there are five common methods of psychological prevention currently used:
- Primary and early diagnosis. The presence of a number of diseases and mental disorders is checked. Available for both children and adults.
- The procedure for examining a single category of citizens. For example, the military, students or employees of certain industries.
- Organization of specialized medical care. Data from dispensaries, day or night hospitals, as well as psycho-neurological sanatoriums are taken into account.
- Collecting information during the initial examination. Preparation of a detailed anamnesis, identification of mental disorders, deviant behavior, as well as a detailed analysis of the clinical picture obtained.
- Implementation of he alth educationactivities.
Psychological prevention is very closely related to psychotherapy, and therefore prescribes, first of all, the impact on the patient in order to eliminate any emotional or behavioral deviations from him, adjust interpersonal relationships and improve family problems.
Working with teenagers
May include various forms and is usually conducted by trained educators or doctors in educational institutions. Psychological prevention of adolescents can be organized in the form of group trainings or individually. In the first case, collective conversations are held with the aim of teaching children new life skills and social skills. Teenagers are shown how to communicate with adults and peers, build friendships with each other and smooth out conflict situations that arise in any society.
Among other group training options, assertiveness training can be noted. The methodology is based on the postulate that deviant behavior is caused primarily by an unstable emotional background and its disturbances. To prevent such conditions, it is necessary to cope with stressful situations in a timely manner, listen correctly to one's own thoughts and feelings, and, of course, be able to express them in a form acceptable to society. This is what teachers teach children of all ages. Resistance training helps to get acquainted with the influence of destructive factors on the social behavior of an individual. On it, students will learnthe skill of resisting negative circumstances and form a positive outlook on various aspects of life.
Prevention of suicide attempts
The study by scientists of the behavior of suicides gave impetus to the development of this direction. It is recognized that it is possible to increase the effectiveness of methods of psychological prevention of suicidal behavior only if the maximum number of factors and their relationships that create the basis for such fabrications and actions in patients are covered.
Suicide prevention includes the observance of all social and legal guarantees of citizens, regular educational activities and psychological training at work or in other public institutions, support in various conflict situations, in professional and domestic spheres.
Basic principles of influence on consciousness
Scientists have developed a number of techniques that have shown the greatest effectiveness in the practice of psychological prevention. Among the basic principles of influencing consciousness are the following:
- An attempt to direct the result of the patient's activity to future accomplishments.
- Complexity of impact. Work at once in all directions - in personal, family, social and work.
- Targeting of prevention. Search for a specific target audience by age, gender, social characteristics and other parameters.
- Creating genuine interest among the participants, theirmotivation and instilling in them a certain level of responsibility for the result.
- The need to keep any negative impacts to a minimum, coupled with a positive communication.
Prevention levels
Specialists identify three main levels, depending on the degree of mental he alth of a person, the fact that he is at risk and the severity of pathologies. Primary prevention involves a variety of broad-based experts.
In secondary psychological prevention, attention is already focused on the suppression and prevention of recurrence of specific known abnormalities and diseases that can manifest themselves in certain conditions and circumstances. If the nature of the deviations is chronic, then measures are directed mainly to the rehabilitation of patients, since they are usually deprived of the opportunity to lead a full life in society at this stage.
