My intended audience for this paper would be a psychology professor and I am answering
an essay question for class. Psychology papers are strictly based on evidence and facts,
therefore I included a lot of research that others have done in this particular field.
Natalie Acton
Essay 2 of Portfolio
In many of the recent tragic school shootings, the perpetrators have exhibited signs
of mental disabilities. Future events could be prevented if the government were to step in
and increase access to mental health treatment. In 2007, the Surgeon General claimed that
“mental disorders are treatable… the evidence for treatment being effective is
overwhelming… and the inescapable point is that studies demonstrate conclusively that
treatment is effective.” The majority of the American population believes that mental
disorders are brought on by a weakness of character, not by chemical imbalances. Over the
years, research and tests have proven that prescription drugs and counseling programs
have succeeded in treating mental disabilities. If the government were to increase access
mental health treatments, the overall attitude of young adults would be more positive and
there would be less tragic shootings. Many school shooters exhibited signs of depression or
other mental disorders prior to their fatal actions and prevention will occur if more people
understand what exactly is happening.
There are many different mental illnesses in the United States, but one of the most
common among young adults is depression. While there is no single cause of depression,
most instances are a result of either biological or environmental factors. Depression can be
hereditary and there are biological differences between people that suffer from depression
and those that don’t. It is known that people who suffer from this disorder have less brain
activity and certain parts of the brain, like the hypothalamus and hippocampus, are smaller.
It has also been determined that people who suffer from depression have disruptions in
their central nervous systems and with their neurotransmitters. It was discovered in 1970
that depression is a result of incorrect levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.
These chemical imbalances in the brain result in feelings of hopelessness, inadequacy, and
even suicidal thoughts. Increases or decreases in hormone levels can also trigger
depression and as a result, many young adults suffer from this mental disorder.
Once scientists discovered the main biological causes for depression, they were able
to create drugs that would treat these chemical imbalances in the brain. Antidepressants
work by controlling the balance of neurochemistry in the brain. They help to regulate the
levels of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Every antidepressant works in a slightly
different way to treat different imbalances within the brain, but they generally increase the
chemical levels within the brain. Many people become frustrated with antidepressants and
decide not to take them anymore. They report that they cannot feel the effects of the drug,
because it takes at least four weeks for the chemicals to balance within the brain. Many
antidepressants have negative side effects, but these too will stop once the correct balance
is reached. When people claim that antidepressants do not treat mental disorders or have
any affect on a person’s mental state, they are most likely either not giving the drug enough
time to take effect or are prescribed an incorrect antidepressant.
Antidepressant prescription drugs have changed immensely over the past few years
and scientists claim that they are “perfecting” their methods of treatment. While there
continues to be a small fraction of society that cannot be treated with such drugs, new
methods have been introduced to reduce the effects of depression on a person. In the past,
medications have had serious side effects and their overall benefits would decrease over
time. In today’s medicine, there are not only less side effects that are witnessed over long
periods of time, these medicines can also protect the brain from further damages. The
hypothalamus and hippocampus regions of the brain are often smaller and destroyed when
a person suffers from depression, but new drugs can act as catalysts and assist stem cells in
transforming into the needed brain cells of an adult. This can increase the memory of a
person suffering from depression and help to regulate hormones. Many other early forms
of antidepressants-like opiates- were highly addictive and created excess
neurotransmitters. When these neurotransmitters were not destroyed and remained in the
brain, they would cause severe side effects. Patients had to adhere to a strict diet and were
not permitted to take any other drugs. This became impractical and caused too much stress
for patients. Additionally, overdose was common and fatal to many people. While overdose
remains a possibility with today’s medications, the drugs are regulated in a way that
eliminates many opportunities for abuse and overconsumption. The effects of the drugs
also reduce this possibility. Antidepressants and other prescription drugs have become
more important in today’s society due to the growing number of people who suffer from
mental disorders, like depression.
The use of prescription drugs and mental health treatment has become an
important topic of debate in society due to many recent tragedies. Many people in various
fields are concerned with the increase in mental health disorders and most are turning to
the government and pressuring them to take action. By instituting changes to increase
accessibility to mental health treatments, there would be an overall decrease in child abuse
and neglect, poor health, hospitalization, and substance abuse, according to the state
Department of Children and Families. Many people within the scientific community are
supporting the idea of increasing mental health treatments and raising awareness for such
disorders. Doctor Keith Ablow, a psychiatrist for Fox News, claims that psychiatry and
psychology are not extremely expensive, but they are extremely effective. He reminds
people that we do not have time for misplaced efforts and everyone should join together to
prevent future medical disorders.
Scientific research has proven that mental health treatment, such as prescription
drugs and counseling, are effective in improving the lives of people who suffer from mental
disabilities. While some people may claim that these issues are not important or cannot be
solved with drugs, they are not correct. It is evident that with medical assistance, a person
can reduce or control a mental disorder and lead a “normal” life. With chemical balances in
the brain correct and allowing enough time for the drug to work, real improvements can be
seen. Mental disorders are not a result of weakness and this problem will continue to grow
until we take action. School shootings and fatal tragedies can be prevented if the
government increased access to mental health treatment. The evidence is clear, but it is
now our responsibility to ensure that every single person is cared for.