Mental Health Therapies: Drugs and Behavior

1. Mental Health Therapies: Drugs and Behavior Alba, Julia Lee-Chuy, Katherine Lee, Sidney Albert Legaspi, Roberto Jose Lerma, Daniel Joseph Li, Henry Winston Li, Kingbherly Lichauco, Rafael Luis

2. Mental Illness • In the past, thought to be possession by the devil • social maladjustments between the behavior of a nonconfromist individual and the demands of a social system Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

3. Mental Illness • Human behavior that is dysfunctional and caused by organic and physiological defects • Lesions of the CNS affect sense and perception of the world • Evidence of genetic basis for mental illnesses • Schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

4. Optimal mental functioning • Natural range of acuteness of senses, of sensitivity of effective response, and of ‘general intelligence’ that the intelligence quotient is supposed to measure Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

5. Chronic Mental Deficiencies • Subnormal intelligence – person incapable of being educated independently to make reasonable judgments about basic problems of life. • Down’s syndrome – able to do simple jobs routinely, but need help to select a job suitable Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

6. Psychosis • A person of normal intelligence can no longer distinguish between reality and imagination Neuroses • Person’s judgement is impaired about certain matters by excessive fears or by addiction Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

7. Ethical Perspective • Freedom is impaired if not altogether restricted • Care • ensure that their capacities are developed • find suitable employment and activities • human dignity is protected • protecting them from abuse and exploitation Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

8. Treatment • If successful, treatments would free the person for moral autonomy and responsibility • Goal is optimal functioning of human mental capacities of sensation, affectivity, abstract thought, and freedom of choice Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

9. Treatment • Relief from symptoms (excessive anxiety or fear) • Increased productivity • Adjustment and satisfaction in interpersonal relations • Increased ability to endure stresses of life • Increased freedom to make realistic decisions Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

10. Human Freedom • Mental health is a requisite for dealing with ethical problems of moral right and wrong • Because only to the degree that a person is free can there be the possibility of moral choice and moral responsibility Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press

11. Human freedom is limited by • Innate biological structure, determined genetically, with its innate needs and drive • Unconscious conditioning • One knowledge of the world and self, set largely by culture in which one lives • Scope of experience and education Ashley BM and O’Rourke KD. (2002). Ethics of health care: an introductory textbook. Washington: Georgetown University Press