Select a psychotic disorder and discuss biological methods used to treat the disorder. Include the following:
Describe the problems associated with each biological method described.
Suggest psychological methods that could be used to help a person with a psychotic disorder. Consider if the method would be dependent upon the setting – inpatient vs. outpatient.
Explain the long-term outcomes for people with psychotic disorders.
Use three to five scholarly references evidentiary support
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Treating Psychotic Disorders: Biological Methods and their Limitations
Psychotic disorders are severe mental illnesses characterized by a loss of contact with reality, including symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired functioning. While various treatment approaches exist, this essay will focus on biological methods employed to treat psychotic disorders, the associated problems, and suggest psychological methods that can complement these treatments. Furthermore, it will explore the long-term outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders.
Biological Methods for Treating Psychotic Disorders
- Antipsychotic Medications – These medications, such as typical (e.g., haloperidol) and atypical (e.g., risperidone) antipsychotics, primarily target dopamine receptors in the brain to reduce psychotic symptoms. However, they can have several side effects, including sedation, weight gain, movement disorders (e.g., tardive dyskinesia), and metabolic abnormalities.
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) – ECT is a procedure that involves delivering electrical currents to the brain to induce seizures. It is typically used for severe cases of psychotic disorders when other treatments have been ineffective. While ECT can be highly effective in reducing symptoms, potential side effects include memory loss and confusion.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) – TMS uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific regions of the brain. It has shown promise as a potential treatment for psychotic disorders, particularly for individuals who do not respond well to medication. However, its effectiveness is still being explored, and its long-term effects are not yet fully understood.
Psychological Methods for Complementing Treatment
Psychological methods can be invaluable in conjunction with biological treatments for psychotic disorders. The choice of psychological method may depend on the setting, whether it be an inpatient or outpatient setting. Some suggestions include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT helps individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to their symptoms. It can be effective in reducing distressing symptoms and improving overall functioning. In an outpatient setting, CBT can be provided through individual or group therapy sessions.
- Social skills training – Individuals with psychotic disorders often struggle with social interactions and interpersonal relationships. Social skills training can help them develop and improve their social skills, promoting better integration into their communities. This type of intervention can be provided in both inpatient and outpatient settings through structured group sessions.
- Family therapy – Involving the family in the treatment process can be vital for individuals with psychotic disorders. Family therapy can help educate family members about the illness, improve communication within the family, and provide support for both the individual with the disorder and their loved ones. Family therapy can be conducted in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Long-Term Outcomes for Individuals with Psychotic Disorders
The long-term outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders vary significantly based on factors such as treatment adherence, social support, access to resources, and the individual’s specific disorder. However, early intervention and comprehensive treatment can greatly improve long-term outcomes. Some individuals experience complete remission of symptoms and achieve functional recovery, while others may continue to experience residual symptoms but lead fulfilling lives with appropriate support.
It is important to note that long-term outcomes are influenced by various factors beyond treatment alone. Factors such as stigma, discrimination, and limited access to resources can hinder recovery. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that includes not only biological and psychological treatments but also societal support and resources is crucial for promoting positive long-term outcomes.
In conclusion, biological methods such as antipsychotic medications, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be effective in treating psychotic disorders but may have associated problems such as side effects or limited effectiveness. Psychological methods like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), social skills training, and family therapy can complement these treatments and improve outcomes in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Long-term outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders depend on various factors, including treatment adherence, support systems, and societal resources. A holistic approach that addresses all these factors is essential for optimizing long-term outcomes for individuals with psychotic disorders.
References:
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Correll, C. U., & Schooler, N. R. (2014). Negative symptoms in schizophrenia: a review and clinical guide for recognition, assessment, and treatment. Neuropsychiatry (London), 4(5), 509–520.
- Lieberman, J. A., Stroup, T. S., McEvoy, J. P., Swartz, M.S., Rosenheck, R.A., Perkins D.O., et al.; Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) Investigators. (2005). Effectiveness of antipsychotic drugs in patients with chronic schizophrenia. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(12), 1209-1223.
- Morrison, A.P., Pyle, M., & Chapman, N. (2015). Early detection and intervention evaluation for people at risk of psychosis: multisite randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 356.
- Wykes T., Steel C., Everitt B., & Tarrier N. (2008). Cognitive behavior therapy for schizophrenia: effect sizes, clinical models, and methodological rigor. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 34(3), 523-537.
