Psychiatric Conditions, Bias, And Shame Prior To Engaging

Psychiatric Conditions Bias And Shameprior To Engaging In This Discus

Examine the biological basis for Lucy’s psychological disorder, considering how anatomy and physiology contribute to bipolar disorder. Specifically, assess whether her diagnosis might be hereditary, based on her family history, or whether other factors could have caused her condition. Explore how genetics and environment influence mental illness, and evaluate the extent to which individual choice is involved in the development of mental health issues. Additionally, analyze societal perceptions and biases toward mental illness, including how familiarity with a person versus knowing a stranger impacts societal reactions. Discuss how societal attitudes and behaviors have contributed to long-term adverse outcomes for individuals with mental disorders, especially in the context of stigma, substance misuse, and shame. Support your discussion with scholarly research beyond the textbook, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the biological, psychological, and social dimensions of mental health challenges.

Paper For Above instruction

Lucy Miller, a 20-year-old woman recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, presents a case that highlights the complex biological and social factors influencing mental health. Biological underpinnings of bipolar disorder involve neurochemical imbalances, genetic predispositions, and structural brain differences that can be inherited or influenced by environmental factors. Evidence suggests that bipolar disorder has a significant hereditary component, with studies indicating a higher likelihood of mood disorders among individuals with family members who have similar diagnoses (Ng et al., 2018). In Lucy’s case, her family history might reveal relatives with mood disorders, thus increasing her genetic risk. However, environmental stressors, substance use, and life experiences also play essential roles in the manifestation of bipolar disorder (Malhi & Haas, 2019).

The influence of genetics is supported by twin studies demonstrating concordance rates that favor a hereditary basis, yet environmental factors such as traumatic experiences, substance abuse, and personal stressors contribute significantly to the onset and severity of symptoms (Written et al., 2017). In Lucy’s situation, her high school drug experimentation and subsequent addiction may have exacerbated her mood swing episodes, illustrating how substance misuse interacts with her biological vulnerabilities. Substance use can alter neurochemical pathways, leading to mood instability, and potentially trigger or worsen bipolar symptoms (Burgess et al., 2020). The body's response to substances involves changes in neurotransmitter levels, receptor sensitivities, and brain circuitry, heightening dependence potential, especially in genetically predisposed individuals.

Society’s perception of mental illness is often marred by biases and misconceptions that influence how individuals like Lucy are treated. When society knows a person well, there may be more empathy and understanding, although stigma persists. Conversely, strangers, such as homeless individuals or unacquainted panhandlers, often face harsher judgments, reinforcing stereotypes that mental illness equates to personal failure or weakness (Hoff & Capone, 2020). These societal attitudes contribute to long-term adverse outcomes, such as social isolation, discrimination, and reluctance to seek treatment, which can worsen the prognosis.

Stigma influences not only societal interactions but also policy and resource allocation, often limiting access to mental health services and fostering shame among sufferers. Such negative societal behaviors have historically contributed to the marginalization of individuals with mental illness, thereby perpetuating cycles of untreated symptoms, substance misuse, and poor life outcomes (Corrigan & Watson, 2021). Combating these biases requires public education, policy reform, and improved mental health awareness, emphasizing that mental illnesses like bipolar disorder are multifaceted and influenced by both biology and environment (Thornicroft et al., 2019). Ultimately, understanding the interplay of genetics, environment, and societal attitudes is vital in fostering a more compassionate and effective approach to mental health care.

References

• Burgess, S., et al. (2020). Substance use and bipolar disorder: Neurochemical interactions. Journal of Mood Disorders, 8(2), 112-125.
• Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2021). Understanding stigma of mental illness. The American Psychologist, 76(7), 898–907.
• Hoff, R. A., & Capone, C. (2020). Society and mental illness: Attitudes and perceptions. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(4), 399-409.
• Malhi, G. S., & Haas, G. (2019). The biological basis of bipolar disorder: Neurochemical and neurostructural perspectives. Clinical Psychiatric Insights, 13, 1-12.
• Ng, F. L., et al. (2018). Genetic influences on bipolar disorder: Twin and family studies. Psychiatry Research, 263, 22-29.
• Written, J., et al. (2017). Environmental factors in mood disorders: A review. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 23(4), 279-287.
• Thornicroft, G., et al. (2019). Reducing stigma and discrimination: Strategies and evidence. Advances in Psychiatry, 7, 229-242.