The article that I chose is one from TIME magazine entitled “The Yates Odyssey”. It tells the story of the tragic murder of five children by their 37 year old mother, Andrea Yates. The article traces her mental history throughout the years of the marriage and even before the marriage. The article notes that one of the reasons that she even initiated a relationship with her husband Rusty is because she was feeling down about a recent break up and “she got to a point where she needed companionship.” Reporters from TIME did an in depth investigation into the life and mind of Andrea Yates in an attempt to reveal the truths about one of the most appalling and disturbing murder cases of our time. Reporters spoke with Rusty Yates as well as doing interviews with family, friends and various doctors that cared for Andrea in the past. It talks about the various treatment methods that were used in her treatment, which will be a main focus in this report.
The two articles, one from a publication called Patient Care and the other from The Journal of the American Medical Association, mainly speak along the lines of diagnosis and treatment for the depression that Andrea experienced prior to her final breakdown on the fateful day of June 20, 2001. They both state the fact that depression in women occurs at a rate that is about twice that of men. This is partly due to the fact that women seem to be more open when it comes to talking about their emotions, although temporary factors such as menstrual cycle can play a large role in these emotions. They also note that depression as a result of pregnancy is a very common occurrence, which is relevant because Andrea was pregnant a total of six times, one of which resulted in a miscarriage.
Although the media’s coverage of this event and its roots seemed to be very in depth, a look into the studies on the topic of depression show that there are a few aspects that were neglected in the report. One of the major facets of the case that I feel was not discussed in enough detail was that of the treatment, or lack of. The media noted several occasions in which Andrea was given medication in order to control her depression. Some of these medications such as Zoloft and Haldol, which are antidepressants that induced positive changes in her personality and demeanor, were given periodically to Andrea.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how time magazine's "the yates odyssey" tells the story of the tragic murder of five children by their 37-year-old mother, andrea.
- Analyzes the two articles, one from patient care and the other from the journal of the american medical association, mainly speak along the lines of diagnosis and treatment for the depression that andrea experienced prior to her final breakdown.
- Opines that the media's coverage of this event and its roots seemed very in depth, but there are a few aspects that were neglected in the report.
- Opines that andrea should not be held accountable for her actions, but the incident could have been avoided if correct precautions had been taken.
- Analyzes how the article left out an important fact such as incomplete recovery, but it did cover significant areas in understanding andrea’s depression.
- Analyzes the positive and negative aspects of the research and the media article.
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- Depressive Symptomatologyanalytical essay...ceutical productions which define the pathology itself. In support of the idea that depression expresses a reduced capacity to interact with the environment rather than an abnormality based around an unidentifiable measurement of “chemical balance,” I will argue that the way in which pharmaceutical drugs standardize chemical deviance and treat mental illness like a biological disease disregards the normative component of depressive illnesses which must be considered as a response in one way or another to the environment in which they are experienced by each patient. By thinking about antidepressants not as correctional of a biological pathology but as a form of adaptation, I hope to show how their use must be considered in relation to values which combine scientific, social and experiential components that cannot be explained by scientific means alone.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that canguilhem's radical conception of life is one that leaves the definition of health as one without fixed content.
- Explains that monoamine depletion studies are the most efficient means of testing a hypothetical relationship between levels of normal neurotransmitter activity and pathological depressive states.
- De-Centers the positivist conception of the pathological as deviant from a fixed norm set by scientific knowledge pertaining to health (normality).
- Explains canguilhem's thesis that pathological states of being such as depression are defined by a reduced capacity to interact with the environment.
- Argues that canguilhem's thesis challenges the idea that pathology can be measured objectively through scientific means independent of the environment.
- Argues that the technologically constructed environment of two antidepressants attempts to unsuccessfully normalize the diagnosis of depression at a neurochemical level.
- Analyzes canguelhelm's critique of positivism to illustrate the theoretical and practical shortcomings of the chemical imbalance theory as a treatment modality for clinical depression.
- Argues that canguelhelm's normative conception of health as an inter-relational and dynamic process negotiated between an organism and its environment subverts the positivist dichotomy of the pathological.
- Argues that the lack of evidence supporting the chemical imbalance theory's claim to normalize depressive pathology is ill-founded.
- Argues that health is a normative process made up of dynamic relationship between an organism and its environment. its content is not fixed, but its flexibility in assessing the value of certain processes.
3238 wordsRead More - Analysis Of The Long Goodbye: Mother's Day In Federal Prisonanalytical essay“The Long Goodbye: Mother’s Day in Federal Prison”, written by Amanda Coyne depicts the struggles of parents and family members with the emotional trauma children go through due to the absence of their loved one. The story tugs the heart strings of readers with its descriptive account of Mother’s Day in a minimum security federal prison. Coyne describes the human emotions and truly gives an accurate account of what being in a visitation room is like. “The Long Goodbye: Mother’s Day in Federal Prison” makes the reader question the criminal justice system and convinces him or her to adjust their way of thinking towards the definition of criminalization through the logos, pathos, and ethos demonstrated throughout the text.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how amanda coyne's "the long goodbye: mother’s day in federal prison" depicts the struggles of parents and family members with the emotional trauma children go through due to the absence of their loved one.
- Analyzes how amanda coyne uses paradigms within the text to describe the horrible situation in a maximum security federal prison.
- Analyzes how amanda coyne's "the long goodbye: mother’s day in federal prison" appeals to pathos through its imagery.
- Analyzes how amanda coyne uses persuasion to show the writer has a full knowledge of what is being said. ethos also promotes the ethical appeal to the reader.
- Analyzes how amanda coyne's "the long good bye: mother’s day in federal prison" uses pathos, ethos, and logos to pull together ideas and make the reader question and feel all these emotions.
1148 wordsRead More - Postpartum Depressioncomparative essayPost-partum depression is characterized as a depressive mood disorder occurring within the post-partum period (RNAO). Research has demonstrated that women are significantly more likely to be admitted into a psychiatric care facility within four weeks post-partum than any other period in her life, 12.5% of all admissions of women into psychiatric hospitals take place within the duration of the post-partum period (RNAO). The objective of this paper is to provide a current literary review of post-partum depression (PPD) and its significance, the role of a registered practical nurse in relation to PPD, as well as contribute my personal perspective on this health concern.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that post-partum depression is characterized as a depressive mood disorder occurring within the period after birth. research has shown that women are significantly more likely to be admitted into psychiatric care facilities within four weeks.
- Explains that the post-partum period is a vulnerable time where women are at an increased risk of mood disorders.
- Explains that the american psychiatric association's diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (dsm-iv) currently does not separate ppd from affective or mood disorders, and has been extended to a depressive onset within the first year post-partum.
- Explains the nurse's role when working with post-partum moms and dads is separated into three categories: prevention, recognition, and treatment.
- Recommends administering the epds scale as well as providing individualized, flexible care post-partum; a nurse can meet this standard by implementing home visits as extensive as necessary, gathering objective and subjective information pertaining to adaptation, self confidence, parenting self esteem, and community resources.
- Explains that the epds scale is a widely recommended tool for evaluating the presence of depressive symptoms in new parents.
722 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Where Are The Childrenanalytical essay“Come on, Nancy. Tell us the truth. Where are the children?” wrote author Mary Higgins Clark in her chilling novel, Where are the Children. Clark’s thrilling murder mystery describes a toxic relationship between a professor, Carl Harmon, the mentally insane and abusive husband of Nancy Eldridge, a beautiful young mother who is being accused of the murder of her children. Manipulative tactics and gender play key roles in creating discussion and open ended ideas toward the theme of this novel. The reader can see how Nancy has been unfairly accused for the murder of her first set of children. Although in the end Carl is finally identified as the murderer, the entire novel is set to make it seem as if Nancy was capable of harming her own flesh and blood. Mary Higgins Clark writes a happy ending novel to give
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how mary higgins clark's thrilling murder mystery, where are the children, describes the toxic relationship between a professor, carl harmon, the mentally insane and abusive husband of nancy eldridge.
- Analyzes how rachel ann hanley's blog, why we like dark stories, points out that dark novels give happier endings than real life situations and the fictionalized reality can spark a change in these touchy subjects.
- Analyzes how carl harmon is a sick man who was out to harm his ex-wife, nancy harmon. the chilling first impression carl gives the reader is that tomorrow morning nancy eldridge’s life will be dramatically changed.
- Analyzes how carl harmon used manipulative techniques to gain power over his wife during the murder of lisa and peter in the novel. carl became obsessive and convinced nancy that she was sick.
- Analyzes how a famous domestic abuse case between chris brown and rihanna shows how both individuals have equal power, but brown felt he had the upper hand, which resulted in the public dispute.
- Analyzes how higgin's novel, where are the children, is horrifying because of how realistic her material was. the casey anthony murder trial was one of the best known acquitted trial cases.
1149 wordsRead More - Prozac -- the Toxic Miracle Drugopinion essayAmerica's society has turned to an aggressive means to treat the overwhelming numbers of people who suffer from depression -- antidepressant medication. "The National Institute of Mental Health... has estimated that almost 10 million Americans are seriously depressed and that a total of 14 million will suffer from it during their lifetimes" (7). Taking psychiatric drugs such as Prozac has become trendy. People no longer covertly take antidepressants, but discuss their medications openly as if there were nothing wrong with chemically altering one's brain. This is partly due to how psychiatrists propose the necessity of Prozac and other such drugs. Psychiatrists explain that Prozac will counteract the low levels of serotonin by inhibiting the loss of this neurotransmitter. The low levels of serotonin are said to be the cause of the depression, thus Prozac remedies this disease for certain people. Supposedly, with only a few side effects exhibited in a mere fraction of the patients taking Prozac, happiness can be in one's grasp. Prozac is idealized in this fashion as a euphoric drug. In reality, Prozac harmfully changes one's brain chemistry with no guarantees of reducing one's depression. Society has ignorantly euphemized this toxic drug as the cure of depression because of faulty trial studies, the understatement of the potential adverse reactions, and the neglect of patients prescribed Prozac.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america's society has turned to an aggressive means to treat the overwhelming numbers of people who suffer from depression -- antidepressant medication.
- Explains that although prozac has been on the market since 1988, the initial trial studies that were done on it were manipulated to make the drug pass fda approval.
- Explains that fda drug studies are constructed, supervised, and paid for by pharmaceutical companies, using doctors and research teams of their own choosing.
- Opines that the fda approval of prozac was an atrocity.
- Opines that even though prozac passed fda approval, the drug continues to be a threat because the dangers are understated by health care professionals.
- Argues that the misuse of prozac is a direct result of individuals not being informed of the dangers associated with psychiatric drugs.
- Explains that prozac, the wonder drug of the nineties, has proven to be both harmful and ineffective, yet it is still readily prescribed to fight depression.
- Explains that this paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written. it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their explorations.
1687 wordsRead More - The Pychodynamic Theory Of Depressionexplanatory essayThe assumptions are that there is inwardly directed anger, introjection of love object loss, severe superego demands, excessive narcissistic, oral, and anal personality needs, loss of self-esteem, and deprivation in the mother child relationship during the first year. It was first Freud’s belief, and then other psychodynamic supporters. Freud also believed that many different cases of depression were in fact biological. He stated that there had to be triggers to make these changes in the brain. One life change that he focused a large amount of research on is depression can be connected to loss or rejection by a parent early on in life. Depression is much like grief in this sense, it is a reaction to the loss of an important relationship or person. These findings are supported better than most other research in the field of psychology. But there are still room for so many questions.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the cognitive triad, which is three forms of negative thinking that are typical of individuals with depression. beck believes that people with negative self-schemas are more prone to making logical errors.
- Explains that the psychodynamic model of psychology was founded in the mid 1800's by sigmund freud, who used an analogy of an iceberg to explain his theory of psychological abnormality.
- Explains that sigmund freud developed three different mechanisms as part of the unconscious mind that led us to feel and act a certain way.
- Introduces the behavioral theory of psychology, which focuses on people's behaviors, including their actions, emotions, and thoughts.
1037 wordsRead More - Post Partum Depressionanalytical essayPost partum depression can have long term effects on the mother, her family and even her own health. It also affects the relationship between the mother and infant in a negative way. In turn, the emotional and cognitive development of the child is affected. (Adrian I. Rosenfield). When People thi...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that postpartum depression should be taken more seriously in our society for it is having heavy effects on mothers like dena schlosser.
- Explains that postpartum depression can have long-term effects on the mother, her family, and even her own health.
- Analyzes how schlosser was unable to grasp the wrongfulness of the crime, the texas standard for insanity, or whether she knew exactly what she was doing.
- Explains that postpartum depression affects women who have thoughts of hurting themselves or the people around them, including their children. it usually starts when a newborn is brought into the world.
- Opines that many americans don't treat depression as a serious illness or disease. they medicate with medications like zoloft and paxil, which when taken off can lead people to have withdrawal affects of aggression and irritability.
- Explains that it is a doctors job to inform pregnant women of the changes their bodies will go through in the stages of pregnancy.
- Analyzes how andrea yates was on trial for capital murder for drowning her five children. she was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
998 wordsRead More - Bipolar Disorder - Short Presentationexplanatory essayNicole’s behavior during a severe episode included wild mood swings: from extreme happiness to anger to sadness; disorganized thinking: she was unable to follow conversations, and would make inappropriate statements; and cutting depression: she tried to kill herself 4 times.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania and depression, with periods of stability. manic episodes are characterized by elevated energy levels, restlessness, feeling of nothing can go wrong, and high self-confidence.
- Explains that scientists believe that biologic, genetic and environmental factors are all involved in causing and triggering episodes of bipolar disorder. evidence suggests an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain.
- Describes how they lived with a 16-year-old girl named nicole who had bipolar disorder. they witnessed several episodes ranging from calm to severe.
- Analyzes how nicole's behavior during a severe episode included wild mood swings from extreme happiness to anger to sadness, disorganized thinking, and cutting depression.
- Describes how nicole's illness affected her life completely. she was unable to attend school and had few friends because she was embarrassed to tell them about her condition.
- Describes how nicole left our house during a severe episode and became paranoid that we were trying to control her. she was hospitalized 3 days later and was in the hospital for 5 months.
- Narrates how they visited the woman in the hospital several times. she was not thinking clearly, delusional, and paranoid. now, she couldn't pay attention, was fidgety and told them she was hearing voices again.
- Explains that nicole is living in a halfway house because her illness is unable to be kept under control. many manic depressants can, for the most part, live normal lives.
- Opines that bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that has no control over it. drug therapy can help, but there is no cure.
569 wordsRead More - The Hela Cellsnarrative essayWhen Deborah was only sixteen she became pregnant with her first child by Cheetah and boy she liked when she was younger. Cheetah and Deborah got married and then had their second child. Deborah became very unhappy in the marriage because Cheetah started drinking and doing drugs. He started abusing Deborah. Cheetah pushed Deborah so much she almost killed him if it wasn’t for Bobbette. Deborah’s brothers Sonny and Lawrence were doing well except for Joe. Joe was another case. Joe went to the military, and the family was hoping that would do him good; but he came out worse than when he went in. Joe was threatened and beaten up by a boy named Ivy. Joe was in so much rage he went and stabbed him and killed him. Joe eventually turned himself in to the law, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced fifteen years in prison.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that hela cells were everywhere in the 1960s, and scientists wondered if they would live in space. they sent vials into space by the discoverer xvii and discovered they became more powerful and divided faster.
- Narrates how cheetah and deborah got married and had their second child. deborah's brothers sonny and lawrence were doing well except for joe. joe went to the military and was convicted of second degree murder.
- Explains that gartler discovered that 18 of the most commonly used cells had one thing in common. hela cells were so contagious that they would stick to a dust particle and be there.
- Narrates how sonny met rebecca and took her to lawrence's house to ask about henrietta. lawrence told his father day about the hopkins hospital, which was funded by a man named john hopkins.
- Narrates how george gey, who had done so much research on henrietta, found out that he had cancer. he had been trying to find a cure for this for many years and still never fully succeeded.
- Narrates how bobbette lawrence's wife, gardenia, asked her brother-in-law where she worked, and how he was doing research on henrietta’s cells. lawrence called the hospital and tried to find information, but no one knew.
- Narrates how michael rogers was a young reporter for the rolling stone, who saw an article about hela cells. he found out who the family was and went to find information. lawrence and sunny were trying to get money from hopkins hospital.
- Narrates how david golde performed a surgery on moore and removed his spleen. he was tired of traveling so far for his check-ups.
- Opines that the doctors should have told the lack's family the truth about how they used the hela cells. gey was doing research on the cells and not trying to get money.
1540 wordsRead More - Risk of Antidepressants in Teensopinion essayFDA research has shown that tricyclic antidepressants such as Paxil can actually increase the severity of depression and suicidal behavior in teens and young adults. In the shocking expose “Treating the Mentally Ill,” medical journalist Rob Waters warns “Antidepressants including Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, and Effexor have provoked hostile behavior and thoughts about suicide in a number of teenagers who have been prescribed the drugs. Some of th...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 19-year-olds, but the most common form of treatment used to help teens suffering with depression is one that might also increase the risk of suicide and/or harmful actions to oneself.
- Explains that tricyclic antidepressants such as paxil can increase the severity of depression and suicidal behavior in teens and young adults.
- Argues that using tricyclic antidepressants as a last resort is an option that should be considered only after trying other forms of therapies such as cognitive and behavioral therapy, group therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
- Opines that antidepressants are a "trial and error" method, stating that accurate diagnosis is critical to avoid being given the wrong medication and suffering serious side effects.
- Argues that antidepressants may reduce depression and suicide risk for the general population of depressed children, but it also multiplies the risk of those same actions in a percentage of children who react adversely.
- Opines that putting children's lives at risk is unethical when there are safer alternatives which are equally effective to be tried first.
- Explains that antidepressant need outweighs risk of child suicide, according to globe & mail.
- Opines that cropper, carol marie, “a cloud over antidepressants” businessweek 3880 (2004): 112-113 business source premeir.
- Explains that suicide behavior differs among early and late adolescents treated with antidepressants. pediatrics 2011; 128(3): 447-454.
- Explains that antidepressants may cause suicide and violent behavior in children and teens.
1054 wordsRead More