Analysis Of The Book ' Healing The Soul On The Age Of The Brain '

Those with mental illness, and their families, have long been stigmatized in our society. Historically, patients were suspected of being demonic or possessed; their families were blamed for contributing to their derangement. Stereotypes of mental illness can lead to prejudice, and prejudice can lead to discrimination (Rosenberg & Rosenberg, 2013). This disposition is counterproductive to recovery. The introduction of the medical model of treatment helped reduce that stigma by shifting the blame away from individuals and families, and instead, referring to scientific rationalizations.

Our progress in learning the causes and treatments for mental illness has been steady as we build on the medical model of mental illness, which Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman (2010) describe as a model that, “views emotional and behavioral problems as a mental illness, comparable to a physical illness (pp. 341). Only in modern times have we been able to effectively treat mental illness with behavioral therapy, social support, medicine, and other research-based programs. However, there is still much work to be done in regard to access, proper facilities, policy and a host of other challenges that affect this issue.

The treatment of mental illness has gone through many reforms over the years. Stemming from some of the earliest documented cases of treatment such as trephination in 5000 B.C. to the opening of “mental” asylums starting in the late 1300s to the development of the modern healthcare system. Through the 1800s until now, major developments in mental health treatment include the evolution of the “mental” asylum, widespread psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy treatments. Primarily focusing on the treatment methods of the past two hundred or so years, the United States of America has made leaps and bounds to provide humane treatment to aid those in need.

I read the article, “Secrets of the Brain”, found in the February 2014 issue of National Geographic written by Carl Zimmer. I chose this subject because I have been fascinated with the brain and how it works. The research of the brain has been ongoing for many centuries now. The history in this article is interesting. It explained how scientists used to understand the brain and its inner workings. For example, “in the ancient world physicians believed that the brain was made of phlegm. Aristotle looked on it as a refrigerator, cooling of the fiery heart. From his time through the Renaissance, anatomists declared with great authority that our perceptions, emotions, reasoning, and actions were all the result of “animal spirits”—mysterious, unknowable vapors that swirled through cavities in our head and traveled through our bodies.” (Zimmer, p. 38)

Sigmund Freud is often referred to as the father of psychoanalysis; he was the first to ask and pursue several groundbreaking questions. However, despite any proclaimed parentage, the field has proceeded through multiple generations since the death of Freud himself, and the once influential name has now become a chapter in a psychology textbook, a stepping stone on the way to the names that are important now. True enough, certain speculations on Freud’s part – the Oedipus complex, his opinions on the healing properties of cocaine – do seem dubious when examined through a modern lens. Freud is often discarded because of this, especially in professional settings, but Freud’s conjectures being “false,” does not mean they were not meaningful.

The field of psychology has made great advancement in the way of treating disorders. For example, before Pinel's approach in 1745, disorders were perceived as demonic possession. Pinel and others proposed that mental disorders were not caused by demonic possession, but environmental factors like stress and inhumane conditions. Pinel's “moral treatment” involved improving the environment, replacing the asylum beatings with patient dances (PSY111: Module 9 Lecture, 2015, Dietz). Thanks to Pinel, we are able to treat disorders in the most scientific way as possible. Although there isn't a pill or shot make the disorder go away, we are able to make the most informed decision regarding treatments that are available to us, in hopes to one day find a

Mental disorders are not harmful, they are harmful dysfunctions” (p. 131). When a client receives a diagnosis, it does not mean that client will have that diagnosis for the rest of their life. There is a misconception that when a client is diagnosed with a mental disorder, it becomes their identity. There are sufficient treatments, whether therapeutic or medicinal, that can assist the client overcome their disorder (Nash, 22). The most important thing a client can do is to separate themselves from their diagnosis.

Therapy has been used for many generations as a mean to resolve dilemmas in a persons’ life. Unfortunately, due to cultural aspects, therapy is generally centered on an individual. We typically presume that any problem that one may exhibit can be solved through personal realizations. However, society and therapists alike are

Tobias Wolf uses imagery in his short story “Bullet in the Brain” which provides a visual portrait to capture attention to the story. He clarifies in an interview with Sanford University what a short story requires, “You want large results from it, and you 're compelled by its very shortness to using all your resources of language, form and understanding” (Schrieberg 1998). He uses language in the story which offers various instances of imagery describing Anders as weary and elegantly savage in his reviews. In each scene of the story Anders observes and uses biting words to offer his approval or distaste. While waiting with the customers at the bank, with the thieves, with the gun shot and with his recollections there is a deeper vision into his brain. The use of imagery in his short story provides a distorted image of the character Anders, not the real image of the man but one with passion for the use of words and happiness.

Psychology explores human behavior and the human mental process figuring ways to improve the thinking and attitude of an individual’s existence. Sometimes, different techniques are used and tried to properly resolve the problem within the multitude of possible behavioral issues. Moreover, Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, developed many theories, psychodynamic therapy, for clinically treating people with mental health problems through their unconscious mind; Then, Sigmund Freud’s theories or therapy, rather, diverged into other types of therapies such as Biological Psychology or Cognitive Psychology. No doubt, there are various perspectives, both strong and weak, in the field of Psychology using different techniques on different

Chapter7: The New Age and Related Novel Unsupported Therapies (NUSTs) in Mental Health Science poses the discussion on the pseudoscience of the New Age therapies as these method of therapy was popular among pseudoscientist back then as well as still being practice among people in the mental health field. As the term New Age therapies can be defines as an unconventional and mystical practices, the term “novel unsupported therapy” also shows the same definition as it provided insufficient evidence to support their claim or theory in the treatments based on the American Psychological Associations (APA) standards. Interestingly, the chapter emphasize on influence of the New Age therapies in the past decades as the “belief system” was eventually

Perhaps we do not realize the impact of the petty things we have experienced when life itself flashes before our eyes. Even though our lives are composed of countless moments to remember, sometimes we do not understand how they slowly shape who we are and how we see the world. This is what Tobias Wolff suggests in his short story, “Bullet in the Brain”. The story focuses on the internal journey of a man named Anders when his life comes to a close. A well crafted look into the memories of Anders gives readers distaste for all he takes for granted and demonstrates his lack of sympathy.

Yet, if managed care begins to dictate what treatments have to be used, then empirically validated treatments will be used against psychologists as a form of restriction that may inhibit the success of the therapeutic process (Scaturo, 2001).However, certain artful tactics involved in psychotherapy will never be completely removed, such as the development of a therapeutic relationship (Allen, 2008). With the rise of EVTs there is a possibility that insurance or managed care may dictate the exact treatment techniques that need to be used for a particular disorder, the art of psychotherapy will not be able to thrive in the future has it once did in the past (Hopko & Hopko, 1999). One way to prevent the complete loss of the art of psychotherapy is to use both the art and science together.

In the 1950s, Ellis grew dissatisfied with the effect of analytic forms of therapy since he discovered that his clients progressed as well when saw them bi-weekly, weekly, or daily. At that point, Ellis took a more active role counseling people with family or sex problems. Furthermore, Ellis discovered his clients seemed to progress more rapidly than when he used passive psychoanalytic procedures. By 1955, Ellis had abandoned psychoanalysis entirely with his clients. Moreover, Ellis concentrated on altering client’s behavior by challenging them with their irrational beliefs and influencing them to apply rational ones. This new method was more suited to Ellis’ personality since he could be more himself (Corey, 2013).

At the age of 40 in 1896, Sigmund Freud introduced the world to a new term- psychoanalysis (Gay 1). Psychoanalysis is a method of treating patients with different nervous problems by involving them in dialogues which provide the physician with insight into the individual’s psyche. These dialogues provided the basis for Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, which “attempts to explain personality, motivation, and psychological disorders by focusing on the influence of early childhood experiences, on unconscious motives and conflicts, and on the methods people use to cope with their sexual and aggressive urges” (Weiten 363). Part of this theory involves the structure of the mind. This is a concept that touches