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Example research essay topic: Mental Illness Personal Beliefs - 1,292 words

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... ch was vain and often suicidal (25). Witch-hunts were used as a scapegoat to uphold sanity. Due to inconsistent data and variable definitions, Schowalter remains skeptical. Continually changing definitions created doubts in many minds, especially Elaine Schowalter's, Hysteria is not a single, consistent, unified affliction like malaria or tuberculosis (14).

Because of inconsistent data, mental illness is hard to understand. Hysteria has changed throughout history as to what really causes it. At first, it had to do with the body affecting the mind, and then it was reversed. Now, it is said that it is the behavior that creates the disease that people can see.

The symptoms and behavior varied between doctors and eras. Schowalter states that, a French physician, Charles La segue proclaimed that the definition of hysteria has never been given and never will be (14). Apparently, Schowalter is not the only one who was skeptical. She refers to it as a wastebasket diagnosis (16), meaning, a doctor will make up a diagnosis if need be. Because doctors make these diagnoses, Schowalter believes they see it as a chance to take credit for the label. It is looked upon as an opportunity to achieve claim to fame in her eyes, These women tended to enter their physicians lives at intellectually formative times in the doctors careers, and they often served as clinical models- founding cases- of the doctors theoretical work.

The doctors needed hysterical women as muses; hysterical women needed doctors to speak for them (19). Women were used as a scapegoat; they were the victims who were given a diagnosis to explain hysteria. Schowalter states, womens bodies were hysteric ized that is, turned into a collection of physical and psychological symptoms by the medical profession (19). The doctors used their power and biased beliefs to diagnose and create hysteria as a mental illness, while at the same time using women as decoys to back up their explanation. Most doctors based their facts on personal beliefs and were often endorsed by well-known organizations, Influential diagnosticians have connections to institutions clinics, hospitals, medical schools which teach and promote their theories (18).

These patients were also used as statistics, as they were vulnerable and gullible, believing any accredited doctor, regardless of their personal prejudices. Unfortunately, doctors saw this opportunity and used it to their advantage. And, time passes, people are introduced to more diseases and forms of hysteria. Showalter states, Anorexia and bulimia are examples of modern hysterical epidemics (20). Again, the definition of hysteria is altered as these two mental conditions are added.

Both articles recognize how often personally held beliefs and biases can originate and maintain over a period of time. It is inevitable that our unconsciously held beliefs alter the conclusions, resulting in false evidence, a false perception of the truth and consistently changing definitions of mental illness. For instance, Jarvis even went so far as to manipulate his data in order to fit his theory. Stoep and Link state, In his report, he correctly calculated the prevalence of insanity by nativity status, by financial support status, and by sex (1400). This clearly shows the results of the Jarvis biased behavior and demonstrate how far off his statistics were and how far he had go to correct his mistakes The difference between the two articles, Social Class, Ethnicity, and Mental Illness: The Importance of Being More Than Earnest and Defining Hysteria is that Schowalter does not really believe in hysteria and questions the idea of mental illness. Stoep and Link feel that the definition of mental illness has changed over the years and is constantly being redefined due to unconsciously held beliefs that are inevitable.

They see mental illness as a disease and show how societal views change over time. I have learned a few important things and gained some significant information from these two articles. First, it is vital to get a second or even third opinion when visiting a doctor because of their personal beliefs. Looking back at times when I went to get an opinion from one doctor and then received a completely different idea of what should be done from another. This is now explained and makes more sense to me as to why doctors think and feel different ways. They tell you what they think, not what is in the books.

It is their biased opinion against another. For example, I have been given three different opinions as to what needs to be done to my receding gum line. It didnt make sense before and left me confused as to what I should do, but makes perfect sense now. As a result of their different opinions, I have done nothing about it, which may be risking negative consequences. One doctor told me I needed surgery immediately, while another has told me I was fine and had nothing to worry about. Asked: do I get surgery and risk wasting money or do I leave it as is and risk having gum disease?

Who is to say what is right? As one can see, it takes decades to even discover mental illnesses and then recognize the difference between them. As the years go by, we gain more knowledge, doctors do more research and we then absorb more information that leads us closer toward the direction of the truth about mental illness as a disease. I feel that only one doctor cannot come up with a precise diagnosis for everything based solely upon his or her own research and beliefs. That is what makes it sway and when personal prejudice comes in, resulting in falsehood. I believe there needs to be years and years of studies by many different professionals from diverse backgrounds holding varying thoughts and insight to actually reach any reasonable and supportive conclusion.

Unconsciously held beliefs and the abuse of power play a big role in society today, especially doctors who also have a huge part in peoples lives. Personal values and ideas will always sway the thinking of a human being regardless of whether they recognize it or not; it is a natural part of life that one cannot help. Hopefully, mental illness can be limited and more often recognized so the decisions are not swayed so much, but are honest so that the society can benefit from doctors research and be diagnosed and treated in the way that they deserve, instead of lied to, being taken advantage of and ripped off. People were and are being charged to hear verdicts about their symptoms that are not always correct. The one thing doctors are aware of is their ability to control the outcome and abuse their power to their benefit. If they see a way to gain or advance in their career, some will do it at the expense of the people and our society.

Overall, I believe that even today doctors are unsure about what mental illness really is or how to deal with it. It is understandable why people once relied on myths to explain these diseases and are still today tying to explain mental disorders. There was not a lot of information and research back then about mental illness which leads into understanding why people did use and come to rely on their own instincts and personal beliefs. Showalter, Elaine.

Defining Hysteria. Hystories. New York: Columbia UP, 1997. 14 - Stoep, Ann Vander and Bruce Link. Social Class, Ethnicity, And Mental Illness: The Importance Of Being More Than Earnest.

American Journal Of Public Health Bibliography: Works Cited Showalter, Elaine. Defining Hysteria. Hystories. New York: Columbia UP, 1997. 14 - 26. Stoep, Ann Vander and Bruce Link. Social Class, Ethnicity, And Mental Illness: The Importance Of Being More Than Earnest.

American Journal Of Public Health September 1998: 1396 - 1402.


Free research essays on topics related to: personal beliefs, mental illness, york columbia, american journal, social class

Research essay sample on Mental Illness Personal Beliefs

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