Insanity in America
by Shannon Thomas
No two people are exactly the
same. Uniqueness has often been
valued and appreciated however, it isn’t as common in the case of psychological problems.
Much too often, individuals with psychological issues are treated as social outcasts, and don’t receive
nearly as much respect as they should. According to psychiatrist Dr. Ryan Jacob, “We all have psychological problems and issues, but they only seem serious when they start to interfere in our daily routines."
Though the conditions of the mentally ill have improved, many individuals with mental illnesses are currently left in the dark without any source of medical attention. These illnesses may appear innocuous at first, but they can have detrimental effects later on. Illnesses such as postpartum psychosis, which usually can affect women after childbirth, can result in horrific tragedies as seen in 2001 in Texas by a woman named Andrea Yates.
Yates began feeling depressed after the birth of her fourth child and her symptoms only worsened after that. She was hospitalized numerous times and eventually stopped
taking the medication for her psychosis. Unfortunately, her illness drove her to drowning her five children in the bathtub while her husband was away at work. Yates was referred to as psychopath by many but this was definitely not the case. According to criminal psychology researcher Dr. Robert Hare, “Psychopaths are not disoriented or out of touch with reality, nor do they experience the delusions, hallucinations, or intense subjective distress that characterize most other mental disorders. Unlike psychotic individuals,
psychopaths are rational and aware of what they are doing and why. Their behavior is the result of choice, freely exercised."
The Mental Hygiene Legal Service, an agency of the New York State Supreme Court, is inclusive of a staff of lawyers and social workers who help patients understand their rights. In addition, the lawyers protect the rights of patients. School social worker Mrs. Sanzone said, “Everyone deserves their rights. One of the main problems with treating people with psychological problems is that once they feel okay they stop taking their medication, not realizing their not receiving the full treatment.”
Sometimes all society needs is a change in perspective; one that does not limit them from empathizing with individuals that may think or act differently from the way they do. Once that changed is achieved, we can all look forward to a more optimistic future in which
acceptance and tolerance are innate within societal norms.
No two people are exactly the
same. Uniqueness has often been
valued and appreciated however, it isn’t as common in the case of psychological problems.
Much too often, individuals with psychological issues are treated as social outcasts, and don’t receive
nearly as much respect as they should. According to psychiatrist Dr. Ryan Jacob, “We all have psychological problems and issues, but they only seem serious when they start to interfere in our daily routines."
Though the conditions of the mentally ill have improved, many individuals with mental illnesses are currently left in the dark without any source of medical attention. These illnesses may appear innocuous at first, but they can have detrimental effects later on. Illnesses such as postpartum psychosis, which usually can affect women after childbirth, can result in horrific tragedies as seen in 2001 in Texas by a woman named Andrea Yates.
Yates began feeling depressed after the birth of her fourth child and her symptoms only worsened after that. She was hospitalized numerous times and eventually stopped
taking the medication for her psychosis. Unfortunately, her illness drove her to drowning her five children in the bathtub while her husband was away at work. Yates was referred to as psychopath by many but this was definitely not the case. According to criminal psychology researcher Dr. Robert Hare, “Psychopaths are not disoriented or out of touch with reality, nor do they experience the delusions, hallucinations, or intense subjective distress that characterize most other mental disorders. Unlike psychotic individuals,
psychopaths are rational and aware of what they are doing and why. Their behavior is the result of choice, freely exercised."
The Mental Hygiene Legal Service, an agency of the New York State Supreme Court, is inclusive of a staff of lawyers and social workers who help patients understand their rights. In addition, the lawyers protect the rights of patients. School social worker Mrs. Sanzone said, “Everyone deserves their rights. One of the main problems with treating people with psychological problems is that once they feel okay they stop taking their medication, not realizing their not receiving the full treatment.”
Sometimes all society needs is a change in perspective; one that does not limit them from empathizing with individuals that may think or act differently from the way they do. Once that changed is achieved, we can all look forward to a more optimistic future in which
acceptance and tolerance are innate within societal norms.