Lecture 1: Rhetoric and Psychiatry Flashcards
Why was Hans interested in Psychiatry?
His Father was a psychiatrist, his Aunt a psychoanalyst. He was intrigued by their discussions.
He became interested in analysing the analysers and exploring the opinions of the public and psychiatrists about mental health.
If what is considered a mental illness depends on the norm… then, what is considered normal?
What is considered normal depends on cultural and local view.
What is one reason [according to Hans] why Psychiatry gets so much attention and is involved in public discussions, where Psychiatrists are often not a part of?
Because the topic of Psychiatry and mental health is personal to so many individuals.
What does Hans call the DSM[-5]?
How does he think Psychiatrists use it?
He calls it the ‘bible of doom’.
Hans thinks that psychiatrists don’t really use it as a all-knowing bible, but as a tool.
List 5 some assumptions/beliefs people have about psychiatry, and give examples:
- psychiatry makes us sick (giving kids ritalin).
- psychiatry makes us loose ourselves (perhaps by making us look at ourself?)
- society makes us mentally ill (began in the 60s and 70s).
- psychopharmacology is terrible (again, ritalin).
- psychopharmacology is miraculous (ecstasy, LSD, etc.).
Currently, what is popular topic in the rhetoric around the mental health crises?
clue: study
That depression, anxiety and suicide is rising amongst students.
What are some reasons why the rates of depression, anxiety and suicide is rising amongst certain demographics?
But… what do these answers indicate?
- better recognition, and self-recognition, of mental illness. It still existed in the same numbers back in the day… it is just recognised better.
- smartphones [a popular belief].
- lack of emotional resilience.
These answers indicate there are a lot of different opinions.
A popular explanation as to why anxiety and depression is rising in certain demographics are smartphones.
When shown data, many people are convinced by this idea, why?
Because graphs/data can be extremely convincing.
The graphs can show that people are rushing ore, having less sex, dating less, etc.
But… correlation DOES NOT equal causation.
Parents often believe that their children are more depression, anxious or unsuccessful than they were at that age because of ‘x, y, z’.
But what did Socrates have to say about this kind of rhetoric?
Socrates said that the older generation ALWAYS criticises the younger generation.
This idea has been around for a long time.
Whilst statistics show an increase in depression and anxiety amongst certain populations, it is difficult to know why there are these changes.
Many people have an opinion, but they may not be correct.
What can be deduced from the discussions and rhetoric surrounding the issue of mental health?
These discussions show that everyone has an opinion on the mental health crisis, which can reveal the political and cultural ideals of the broader community.
In public discussions on mental health, what is it often used as a tool for?
Mental health issues have become a favourite tool to critique society.
Who is Johann Hari?
Johann Hari is a journalist (of questionable reputation). He was skilled at presenting well-known ideas and presenting them as strikingly original.
He wrote a book about depression, and claimed that ‘everything you think about depression is wrong, and I’ll tell you why.’
Johann Hari’s book overstates many ideas in psychology that are already accepted. He claims these ideas have been rejected by psychiatrists and doctors.
What are these ideas, and is is true that doctors don’t believe them?
- Doctor’s believe depression is purely the result of a chemical imbalance - NOT TRUE.
- Doctor’s don’t consider context - NOT TRUE.
- Doctor’s believe they can assess human distress using a checklist - NOT TRUE (although checklists can be helpful).
- Doctor’s believe that depression is all in the mind, all in the brain - NOT TRUE.
What is one theory accepted by psychiatrists that Johann Hari wrote about in his book as being something no one knows about?
Who was the original proponent of the theory?
Learned helplessness theory - a sense of control over one’s life leads to a sense of wellbeing.
Martin Seligman, who himself fell off the wagon and began talking about the power of optimism.
In conclusion on the topic of depression: does poverty, social isolation, lack of control explain all of depression?
What about brain chemistry?
No, none of it is a complete explanation for depression, but they can all be a factor.
