Controversies in Psychiatry

Question 1

What is the definition of stigma?

Answer 1

• A social construction that devalues people due to a distinguishing characteristic or mark

Question 2

What is the definition of discrimination?

Answer 2

• Involves actual behaviour towards another group of people
• Involves excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to other groups

Question 3

What is the definition of prejudice?

Answer 3

• Is a prejudgment
• An assumption made about someone or something before having adequate knowledge to be able to do so with guaranteed accuracy

Question 4

What are the characteristics of stigma?

Answer 4

1 - Attitudes develop early in childhod

2 - Attitudes remain stable over many years

3 - Infleunced by personal experience

4 - Tends to be a feature of older males with less education

Question 5

What are some of the stigmas surrounding mental illness?

Answer 5

• Stigma around mental illness re-inforced by sensational media reports
• Media portray those with mental illness as ‘uncontrolable killers’

Question 6

What is the biggest problem caused by the stigma attached to mental illness?

Answer 6

• People who suffer with mental illness are reluctant to come forward about their condition and seek professional help

Question 7

What are some of the biggest criticisms of psychiatry?

Answer 7

1 - The use of antipsychotics

2 - Mental illness is a myth and doesn’t physically exist

3 - Antidepressants are just as effective as placebos

4 - Psychiatry is a form of social control

5 - Psychiatric treatment without consent

Question 8

What are some of the downsides to ECT?

Answer 8

• 50% relapse at 1 year if no antidepressants
• Can have temporary negative effects on memory, but these usually clear up after a few months
• Efficacy of treatment may reduce over time with each treatment