Psychological Disorders: What Is Your Opinion On The Followi ✓ Solved

Psychological Disorderswhat Is Your Opinion On The Following Statement

Psychological disorders what is your opinion on the following statements... 1. Most mentally ill individuals could get well if they really tried. 2. People with severe psychological disorders should be sterilized so that they cannot pass on their problems to offspring. 3. We should spend more tax money to help people with psychological disorders.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Psychological disorders are complex and multifaceted mental health conditions that significantly impact individuals' daily lives, functioning, and overall well-being. Public perceptions and policies surrounding mental illness often reflect societal attitudes, which can range from understanding and compassion to stigma and discrimination. The following essay explores three statements related to mental health, providing a critical analysis based on current psychological research and ethical considerations.

Analyzing the Statement: "Most mentally ill individuals could get well if they really tried."

This statement oversimplifies the nature of psychological disorders. While motivation and effort are important components in recovery, mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder are complex neurobiological conditions influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors (Insel, 2014). According to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), many mental health conditions are chronic and require a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and social support. Suggesting that "trying harder" alone can lead to recovery disregards the scientific understanding of these disorders and risks blaming individuals for their struggles, which can exacerbate stigma and discourage seeking help (Corrigan, 2016). Evidence-based treatment has shown significant improvements in managing symptoms and fostering recovery, but such outcomes often require comprehensive and tailored interventions, not merely personal effort (Karyotaki et al., 2017).

Evaluation of the Statement: "People with severe psychological disorders should be sterilized so that they cannot pass on their problems to offspring."

This statement is ethically abhorrent and aligns with eugenic ideologies, which have been widely discredited (Lombardo, 2017). Forced sterilization violates fundamental human rights, including bodily autonomy and reproductive rights. Historically, eugenic policies targeting individuals with mental illness have caused immense harm, including the sterilization of thousands of people under coercive laws (Gould, 1984). Modern psychology and psychiatry assert that mental health conditions are not determinants of inability to lead meaningful lives or to be responsible parents (World Health Organization, 2013). Instead, appropriate support and treatment improve individuals' quality of life and parenting capacity. Ethical principles in mental health care emphasize respect, autonomy, and compassion, rejecting any notion of sterilization based on misguided assumptions about hereditary transmission of psychological disorders (British Psychological Society, 2016).

Supporting the Statement: "We should spend more tax money to help people with psychological disorders."

Investing increased public funds into mental health services is both ethically justified and economically advantageous. Evidence indicates that effective mental health interventions reduce social costs related to disability, unemployment, and incarceration (Knapp et al., 2016). According to the World Health Organization (2018), mental health treatment is cost-effective and essential for fostering healthier, more productive societies. Enhanced funding can improve access to evidence-based therapies, hospitalization, community support, and crisis intervention, enabling early detection and prevention (Patel et al., 2018). Furthermore, allocating resources to mental health aligns with the principles of health equity and human rights, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive adequate care (World Health Organization, 2013). The moral obligation of governments to support vulnerable citizens underscores the importance of increased mental health expenditure (Herington & Dagnall, 2018).

Conclusion

In conclusion, misconceptions about mental illness, such as the notion that individuals can "simply try harder," undermine efforts toward recovery and perpetuate stigma. Ethically, sterilization of individuals with severe psychological disorders is unjustifiable, violating core human rights. Conversely, increased governmental investment in mental health services is crucial for societal well-being, economic stability, and the dignity of individuals affected by mental illnesses. Promoting accurate understanding, ethical treatment, and adequate resource allocation are key to fostering an inclusive and compassionate society.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
  • British Psychological Society. (2016). Ethical principles for psychologists.
  • Corrigan, P. (2016). How stigma interferes with mental health care. American psychologist, 71(1), 71-72.
  • Gould, S. J. (1984). The Mismeasure of Man. W.W. Norton & Company.
  • Herington, C., & Dagnall, N. (2018). The impact of resource allocation on mental health services. Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics, 21(3), 127-135.
  • Insel, T. R. (2014). Mental disorders: resilient brain and genetics. Nature, 515(7529), 167-168.
  • Karyotaki, E., et al. (2017). Efficacy of self-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression: a meta-analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 74(4), 351-359.
  • Knapp, M., et al. (2016). The economic case for investing in mental health. World Psychiatry, 15(3), 229-231.
  • Lombardo, P. A. (2017). Eugenics and mental health: Historical and contemporary perspectives. Mental Health & Prevention, 8, 113-120.
  • World Health Organization. (2013). Mental health action plan 2013-2020.
  • World Health Organization. (2018). Investing in mental health: Evidence for action.

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