Official Start Time: 2:30 a.m.
Date; 3/4/09
Official End Time: 3:00 a.m.
Psychiatry
Nearly one in every three people experiences psychiatric symptoms each year (Hicks, 2005). It is not permanent but it gives us a taste of what the mentally ill feel everyday. One common illness, depression, is the major cause of medical disability in the United States (Hicks, 2005). But, one asks, how is it that these illnesses exist yet they are still misunderstood? That is a question that is still being solved today because the human mind is a complex maze with twist and turns that are to be solved through psychiatry.
Psychiatry, by definition, is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. But, psychiatry is more than just diagnosing the ailment but cracking the mind down so one can see the origin of the problem. It then all raps up with a plan and the medication that can help return the subject’s mind to peace and tranquility.
One can tell when something is different. Either it would be the movement of an object or the sudden change in a person’s personality. All are key features in the diagnosis to say that he is depressed or that she is in denial.
“Though anger is an instinctive reaction, the extent to which you express anger depends much on your attitude,” (Hicks, pg9). Anger is one the basic human emotions to react when one feels threatened, harmed, obstructed, betrayed or disrespected (Hicks, 2005). The heartbeat accelerates, the mouth becomes dry, the pupils constrict, the breath shortens, the speech gets louder, and the body becomes tense. “When you are physically tense or are thinking unpleasant thoughts, you are much more likely to become angry than when you are physically relaxed and cheerful,” (Hicks, pg10).
There are people that believe that rules do not apply to them. They seek on getting through life the only way that benefits them. “They lie, cheat, steal, fight, rape, and intimidate others in order to satisfy their own desires and needs, without concern for their victims. One may engage in antisocial behavior for a number of reasons, and many of them have nothing to do with mental illness,” (Hicks, pg13). For example, one may steal food to feed their starving child because they have no money, or you may lie about your age to get into a bar where your favorite band is performing.
Appetite is one of the basic human drives that lets our bodies know when we need to eat and when we have eaten too much (Hicks, 2005). “But, in many mental illnesses, such as depression, the drive to eat can be disturbed, along with other natural functions,” (Hicks, pg27). “Psychiatrist refers to these changes in natural drives as neuro – vegetative signs of mental illness. In some mental illnesses known as eating disorders, appetite is not the problem so much as one controls over how much they eat,” (Hicks, pg28).
A compulsion is something you do against your wishes (Hicks, 2005). The act itself is not pleasurable or rewarding, because it can sometimes be irrational, inconvenient, or even harmful. “A compulsion is often confused with an impulse, which is an act one wants to engage in, even though there are negative consequences. For example, one may have a compulsion to bite their nails down to the skin of their fingertips, where as you have an impulsive desire to eat a hot fudge sundae despite being on a diet,” (Hicks, pg47).
A craving is more than a desire because one desires something even though it’s bad for you (Hicks, 2005). One will go to great lengths just to get what will satisfy their craving no matter what they may have to go through. You plan your day around it and lie at work, home, and to yourself to reassure yourself that you are in control and that you do not have a problem. “In clear moments, though, you can see that you are not the person you used to be. The craving has become a strange parasite that has taken over your body,” (Hicks, pg59).
Deceitfulness or lying is not usually a sign of mental illness. “We tell white lies in order to protect our privacy, to avoid complicated explanations, and to spare people’s feelings. Even if one agrees that lying is ethically wrong in principle, there are many situations when telling a lie might be justified (for example, if you were to give the wrong directions to an assassin, leading him away from his intended victim,)” (Hicks, pg72). Even though lying can be necessary to a minimum, it is also a significant feature in several mental illnesses (Hicks, 2005).
“Psychiatrist use the term denial to refer to a patient’s lack of insight into having an illness or psychological difficulty. Denial does not arise from a lack of psychological or medical knowledge, but from a failure to recognize, appreciate, or accept in oneself what is evident to others. Among those who suffer disabling symptoms of mental illness but who have not yet been diagnosed, more than ninety percent do not think of themselves as ill,” (Hicks, pg84). This last percentage probably reflects a widespread lack of understanding of mental illness in general, combined with personal denial (Hicks, 2005). The most dramatic examples of denial are seen in neurology rather than psychiatry through patients whom have had strokes (Hicks, 2005).
Everyone has experienced sadness at some time in their life. When one is under stress, or when something bad happens in our life, we get upset. One wishes that things could have turned out differently; we worry about the future or we may even cry or curse. Loved ones have trouble cheering us up, but it is a wound that must heal with time. “These are normal reactions, and one generally recovers from them soon enough, but they give us some insight into the more profound and extended feelings experienced by someone who has depression,” (Hicks, pg92).
“Mania is the term psychiatrist use to describe a state of elevated mood, rapid speech, grandiose thinking and agitation that can occur in several different illnesses, but is the hallmark of bipolar disorder, previously known as manic – depressive illness. Psychiatrist sometime use the dictionary definition of mania, which refers to any abnormal desire or compulsions,” (Hicks, pg195). The first symptom in mania is euphoria, meaning an elevated mood. In many ways mania is the opposite of depression because one feels unusually happy, hopeful, confident, and enthusiastic rather than sad, pessimistic, worthless, and withdrawn (Hicks, 2005). Other symptoms of mania include a rapid speech, becoming more physically hyperactive, sleeping problems, becoming grandiose which means believing that you are a unique and great person, having poor judgment, and being in denial (Hicks, 2005).
“In the past decade, suicide was the eighth or ninth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting thirty thousand deaths each year, Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults,” (Hicks, pg341). Suicide, by definition, is the intentional ending of your own life (Hicks, 2005). “Suicide is not necessarily a sign of mental illness, but it almost always is,” (Hicks, pg 341). It is a choice one makes when they see no other options. “Mental illness may cause a suicidal person to feel hopeless, to neglect other’s options, and to view suicide as a desirable escape,” (Hicks, pg341).
As there are ailments there are treatments. Nowadays, modern science and the expansion of all other sorts of fields have brought light on to the darkness of the unknown. Where now we can see, touch, smell, feel, and taste what was thought to be untouchable.
For someone who suffers from frequent and disturbing angry feelings; he or she may benefit from anger management, a type of psychotherapy. “One will identify their tendency to perceive hostility when it is not intended, and to under – appreciate their own proneness to violence and anger,” (Hicks, pg12). They will learn the triggers to their anger so they can then learn how to avoid them than rather reacting automatically (Hicks, 2005). You’ll learn relaxation techniques to reduce tense and irritable feelings. And finally, you will learn coping strategies and try to decrease the amount of stress in your life (Hicks, 2005).
“The primary goal of parents, educators, therapist, and social scientist in approaching antisocial personality traits should be to prevent them from developing in the first place,” (Hicks, pg18). Once someone has an antisocial personality disorder it does not appear to be treatable through medication for a permanent effect (Hicks, 2005). No form of psychotherapy has been found to cure antisocial behavior. Those with an antisocial personality disorder have difficulty learning from their mistakes because they are more interested in the short – term gains rather than long – term consequences. “When therapy is helpful, it is usually because he or she has decided that it is in their interest to conform their behavior,” (Hicks, pg19).
If one suspects that they have an eating disorder, they should see a psychiatrist. “A psychiatrist can assess your nutritional needs, make sure that you are medically stable, and suggest a treatment program,” (Hicks, pg34). Treatment can be provided on an outpatient basis unless you are seriously under – weight or malnourished where you may need to be in a hospital for both physical and mental treatment until you are fully rehabilitated (Hicks, 2005). While hospitalized nurses and staff members will help you discard old poor habits and help you build better habits, such as eating a balanced diet.
Compulsions, although they are unwanted and habitual behaviors, they are not completely out of your control. “With enough determination one can resist their urges and refuse to engage in compulsive behaviors. The challenge one faces is that you may become increasingly anxious so long as you have the obsessive thoughts that drive your ritual,” (Hicks, pg52). Throughout your treatment you should keep in mind that your rituals are impulsive and illogical, no matter how compelling,” (Hicks, 2005).
If someone you care about has a drug or alcohol problem, you may be a helpful piece on their rode to recovery. “You may be the first person to realize that your loved one has an addiction,” (Hicks, pg70). It may be difficult to tell your loved one that you are concerned about their problem. He or she may deny that they have a problem, and will take steps to hide their addiction from you. You can be part in your loved ones recovery by being there for them the entire way.
“If someone you know has a tendency to lie, then they probably are not interested in a cure,” (Hicks, pg75). He or she may find lying to be a useful strategy for it helps them get out of trouble in sticky situations. They continue to lie because it motivates them, but only stop when it puts them in trouble (Hicks, 2005). They now realize that lying has instead of helped them has made them untrustworthy to those who are close. The only cure is to seek motivation to stop lying and look for help (Hicks, 2005).
“If one has a tendency to lose insight when they are sick, then they should try to develop strategies during periods of improvement to maintain their awareness and adherence to treatment. The denial that occurs during psychosis and mania is so profound that you should prepare for your loved ones to take over when you become ill,” (Hicks, pg88). Even if one recognizes that they have a mental illness, they may resent that they need medication. Unfortunately, it is common for people to stop or skip doses of their medication. In fact, studies have found that people with diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension cheat on their diet, skip doses, and sometimes stop taking their medication completely (Hicks, 2005).
The great news is that today depression is treatable. “Antidepressant medication is highly effective, and psychotherapy can help someone through a depressive episode, whether or not they chose to use medication,” (Hicks, pg100). Even if one has small symptoms, they may have a cumulative effect if they persist in the future (Hicks, 2005). One even may become severely hopeless and desperate without treatment. “Depression can usually be treated at home though hospitalization is safer if you are having suicidal thoughts,” (Hicks, pg100).
There are several ways to keep one healthy while being manic. “First, you must recognize that you have an illness and that you are prone to experience episodes of depression and mania in the future,” (Hicks, pg 201). As mentioned earlier, one should take steps to receive appropriate treatment so that you do not lose control while manic. This means taking one’s medication, avoiding drugs and alcohol, decreasing stress in your life, and enlisting the support of others (Hicks, 2005). Most importantly, one must keep taking their medication as prescribed.
“If one is having thoughts of harming themselves, they need to tell their family and psychiatrist immediately so that they can help keep you safe until you are feeling better,” (Hicks, 345). Although depression seems as if it will last forever, it is likely to improve with time and treatment (Hicks, 2005). After one recovers, you will look back and be glad that you didn’t kill yourself. It is important that when one feels that they are going to harm themselves to talk it over with someone.
In conclusion, psychiatry is a field of its own. “Though poorly understood by most people, mental illness clearly rivals any other area of medicine in its widespread and has a serious impact on people’s lives,” (Hicks, pg2). For you see, psychiatry is a light that shines over the shadows of the unknown and unveils a mystery that has only just begun.
References
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Freeman, Thomas. Childhood Psychopathology and Adult Psychoses. New York:
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Gambrill, Eileen D. Behavior Modification Handbook of Assessment, Intervention, and
Evaluation. San Francisco: Jossey – Bass Publishers, 1977.
Hicks, James W. 50 Signs of Mental Illness. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
James, Tad, and Woodsmall, Wyatt. Time Line Therapy and The Basis of Personality.
California: Meta Publication Inc., 1988.
Kahn, Michael. Between Therapist and Client the New Relationship. New York: Henry
Holt and Company, LLC, 1997.
Southard, Samuel. Anger in Love. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1973.
Torrey, E. F. The Death of Psychiatry. Pennsylvania: Chilton Book Company, 1974.
An old FISP project I had done when I was in 8th grade . . . so forgive me if the writing sucks and the structures makes no sense. FOCUS back then was what ISSP is now. Back then we would do random projects, get scold by random teachers, and never really accomplish much beyond the means of our creative capacities. The experience none the less was gratifying and has given me opportunities that students not in FOCUS or ISSP would have otherwise.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
