Analysing The Use Of Electroconvulsive Therapy In Prisons Psychology Essay

Analysing The Use Of Electroconvulsive Therapy In Prisons Psychology Essay An inmate with depression may provide many difficulties into the penal system. Among other things depression may make an inmate more prone to violent as well as suicidal tendencies. In cases such as this it is important for an inmate to receive swift treatment as, in this state, they are a hazard to themselves as well as others. Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment method that has been used to effectively treat individuals with severe depression for many years. It has been found to treat the illness faster and more effectively than many other depression treatment options. This manuscript briefly discusses depression within the penal system as well as goes into detail about electroconvulsive therapy and how it is effectively employed to assist those suffering from severe depression. An inmate within the penal system suffering from a mental illness presents unique challenges to the staff as well as fellow inmates within these facilities. Statistics indicate that inmates suffering from a mental illness are more prone to disciplinary problems within the correctional system and are also more prone to recidivism after release (James Glaze, 2006). One may surmise that, as the severity of the illness increases, the identified risks increase accordingly. This makes it extremely important for the staff of the facility to treat the illness in the quickest and most effective way possible. The standard first-line treatment for most mental disorders involves pharmacological or psychotherapeutic treatments or a combination of both (Potter, Rudorfer, Manji, 1991). In some cases pharmacological and psychotherapeutic methods take too much time or the inmate may not be able to tolerate the medications. In cases such as this, there are other methods which may be utilized in orde r to treat the inmates mental illness. This manuscript will focus upon the mental illness of depression while briefly discussing the effects it introduces into the penal system. It will also identify and discuss the method of electroconvulsive therapy and how it may be a prudent method for treating severe cases of depression within inmate populations. Due to time constraints the issue of informed consent in permitting treatment is not discussed. Literature Review In order to compose a manuscript upon the subject of depression and electroconvulsive therapy, a solid definition was needed. Definitions were provided through the use of the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary for electroconvulsive therapy (Electroshock Therapy, 2010) and from WordWeb for depression (Depression, 2010). Additionally, the DSM-IV provided the symptoms which accompany a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) while the United Kingdom Advocacy Network (1995) provided a list of mental illnesses which ECT has been used to treat. James and Glaze (2006), through the Bureau of Justice Statistics, also provided statistics upon the mental illnesses and symptoms which are found within the penal system of the United States. It is upon this information that the manuscripts conclusions are partly based. The history of electroconvulsive therapy is discussed within the manuscript. Finger (2006) discussed how experiments upon the effects of electricity upon the brain can be traced back to Benjamin Franklin. Electroconvulsive therapy did not take its current form until 1938 when Cerletti and Bini started using electricity to treat those with mental illness (Endler, 1988). Weiner and Krystal (1994) discuss how the mainstream use of ECT declined greatly after the discovery of psychotherapeutic drugs in the 1950s and 1960s. Even though this is the case, Scott (2005) discusses how ECT is still the primary course of treatment for cases of severe depression. ECT has been proven to be an effective means through which depression is treated. Janicak, Davis, Gibbons, Ericksen, Chang, and Gallagher (1985) as well as Rudorfer, Henry, and Sackheim (1997) found that ECT performed better in controlled studies than any other form of treatment for depression. Other studies have shown that ECT also outperforms antidepressants in average effectiveness (Abrams, 1997) as well as the speed of its effects (Rudorfer, Henry, Sackheim, 1997). While the administration of ECT is an effective treatment of depression, it is not curative. Sackheim, Haskett, Mulsant, Thase, Mann, Pettinati, Greenberg, Crowe, Cooper, and Prudic (2001) found the relapse rate of ECT patients to be around 90% within the first six months after treatment. The chance of relapse can be lowered by either a continuation of treatment through the use of mood stabilizers and antidepressants (Sackeim, 1994) or through maintenance ECT treatments for approximately four to six weeks after the initial sessions (Rasmussen, 2003). Gagne, Furman, Carpenter, and Price (2000) found that the best results were produced through a combination of psychotherapeutic drugs and maintenance ECT sessions. Due to the controversial nature of ECT, the process of administration is briefly discussed within the manuscript. This was provided jointly by the Royal College of Psychiatrists (1995) as well as the Salford Community Health Council (1998). In this way, the facts about ECT may be better understood and controversial feelings about the treatment may be alleviated. As with any treatment, ECT produces certain side effects within the patients who choose to undergo this form of treatment. One such side effect includes memory and cognitive impairment. Scott (2005) discusses how this is a common side effect that is associated with ECT sessions. While this may be the case, Lisanby, Maddox, Prudic, Devanand, and Sackeim (2000) found that the memories that are lost are more likely to be of an impersonal nature rather than personal. It has been reported by Calev (1994) and Weiner (2000) that patients suffering from cognitive and memory losses improve substantially once the treatments are completed with few patients complaining of residual effects. Discussion Severe Depression in Inmate Populations Depression, as defined by WordNet, is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity (Depression, 2010). A survey conducted in 2006 by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on mental health problems of inmates within the penal system provides insight into the possible impact that depression may have upon those within the penal system. The survey found that within the 12 months prior to the conduction of the survey 23.9% within state prisons, 16.2% within federal prisons, and 30.4% within local prisons had experienced five or more symptoms indicative of major depressive disorder (James Glaze, 2006). Symptoms that are included within a diagnosis of major depressive disorder include thoughts of revenge, persistent anger or irritability, or whether the individual has ever attempted suicide among other symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Symptoms such as these may cause an inmate to act out violently against fellow inmates or staff as well as forcing staff to place the inmate under a suicide watch. This requires the institution to spend precious resources which may be better utilized elsewhere within the compound. In cases such as this, it would be helpful for the institution to have a treatment option at their disposal which could treat the inmates suffering from these symptoms swiftly with few side effects allowing them to integrate into the penal system with as few difficulties as possible. Electroconvulsive Therapy Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is defined by Merriam-Webster Online as the treatment of mental disorder and especially depression by the application of electric current to the head of a usually anesthetized patient that induces unconsciousness and convulsive seizures in the brain (Electroshock Therapy, 2010). Early experimentation on the effects of electricity upon brain function may be traced back to Benjamin Franklin (Finger, 2006). ECT, as it is recognized today, was first used to treat mentally ill patients in 1938 by Cerletti and Bini (Endler, 1988) at which point it became a mainstream treatment. In the 1950s and the 1960s, psychotherapeutic drugs were discovered (Weiner Krystal, 1994) replacing ECT as the premiere treatment for certain forms of mental illness though its use continues to this day. ECT has been utilized to treat a large array of conditions including (United Kingdom Advocacy Network, 1995): Various neuropsychiatric conditions Mania Schizophrenia Post-natal depression Anxiety Hypomania Post-traumatic stress disorder Puerperal psychosis Currently, the only condition that ECT is the primary form of treatment for is that of severe depression (Scott, 2005). This is due to the fact of the severe symptoms caused by severe cases of depression such as extreme suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, and refusal to eat. As is evidenced above, ECT has been proven time and time again through research and practice to be an effective means to treat several different psychological disorders. In fact, there have not been any controlled studies conducted where any other treatment has outperformed the effectiveness of ECT in the treatment of depression (Janicak, Davis, Gibbons, Ericksen, Chang, Gallagher, 1985; Rudorfer, Henry, Sackheim, 1997). It has been calculated that the average response rate of patients with major depression to ECT treatment is 70% to 90% compared to the response rate of antidepressant medications which are most commonly the primary treatment prescribed for depressive disorders which is 60% to 70% (Abrams, 1997). There has even been evidence presented showing that ECT produces the desired effects faster than that of antidepressants (Rudorfer, Henry, Sackheim, 1997). While the facts discussed above provide a strong argument for the use of ECT as a primary treatment for individuals suffering from severe depression, just as with antidepressants, it is not a curative treatment. Relapse in patients that have undergone ECT sessions have been found to be around 90% within six months after treatment (Sackheim, Haskett, Mulsant, Thase, Mann, Pettinati, Greenberg, Crowe, Cooper, Prudic, 2001). Therefore, in order to maintain the benefits of ECT sessions, it is necessary for a patient to receive future treatments within in the form of antidepressants and/or mood stabilizer medications (Sackeim, 1994) or weekly maintenance ECT sessions for approximately four to six weeks (Rasmussen, 2003). Gagne, Furman, Carpenter, and Price (2000) found that patients that received a continuation of a combination of the two treatment options were less likely to suffer from a relapse than those patients who received only antidepressant treatment. Therefore, if the patient i s administered the proper treatment options after the cessation of regular ECT sessions the patient should continue to reap the benefits that were provided during the initial sessions. Administration As one may presume, ECT is a precise treatment method which, if administered improperly, may inflict more damage to an individual rather than aiding in their recovery. Researchers continuously review data as well as run tests on the many different aspects of ECT and how each one affects the outcome of an individuals ECT session. This section briefly summarizes the procedure that is followed when administering ECT to an individual. During the administration of ECT the first thing that happens is an anesthesiologist administers a general anesthetic as well as a muscle relaxer. This causes the patient to fall asleep as well as causes all of the patients muscles to relax preventing the muscles from convulsing during the administration of the electrical shocks. As the anesthetic is administered the patient is also given oxygen which continues for the duration of the session. After the induction of sleep, a small electric current is passed through the brain of the patient through two small pads that are placed in specific regions on either both sides or the same side of the scalp causing mild convulsions within the brain. Once the procedure is over it may be necessary for the patient to undergo more sessions of ECT in order to receive the most positive effect possible from the treatments (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1995; Salford Community Health Council 1998). Side Effects As with any form of treatment through which something is being administered to an individuals body, ECT does produce certain side effects. The side effects most concerning to individuals during the decision of whether or not to partake in ECT are that of memory and cognitive impairment. Individuals upon which ECT has been administered have been found to suffer from amnesia in respect to events that happen both before and after an ECT session (Scott, 2005). While this may be the case, research has shown that the event memories that are lost are more likely to be of an impersonal rather than personal nature (Lisanby, Maddox, Prudic, Devanand, Sackeim, 2000). However, it has been reported that after the completion of a course of ECT, the patients memory losses improve substantially with a few patients reporting residual difficulties (Calev, 1994; Weiner, 2000). Conclusion Severe depression may introduce many different problems into an inmate population such as violent as well as suicidal tendencies. These are two propensities which a prison staff tries to suppress as quickly as possible. It has been found that sometimes, in severe cases of depression resulting in strong suicidal urges, psychotherapeutic drugs may not take effect quickly enough. In cases such as this, ECT may be the wisest treatment option available. Studies have found that ECT treats severe depression faster and more effectively than standard drug treatments which, in cases of violent and suicidal tendencies within the inmate population, is of the utmost importance. Once the initial ECT sessions have been completed, it should not be difficult for an inmate to receive continued treatments, both psychotherapeutic as well as ECT, to maintain the same positive effects that were produced by the initial treatments due to their incarcerated state. In this way, the inmate who suffered from th e severe depression may be reincorporated into the prison population without posing a risk to themselves or others due to mental illness.

Satire, and Black Humor in Kurt Vonneguts Cats Cradle Essay -- Kurt

Satire, and Black Humor in Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut was written in 1963. "It is a satirical commentary on modern man and his madness" (back cover). It is a book that counters almost every aspect of our society. As well as satire, Vonnegut also includes apocalyptic elements in this novel. Satire, "the use of irony, sarcasm, or ridicule in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice or folly" (Webster 1193), is very prevalent in Cat's Cradle. Vonnegut hits on many aspects of human life with this satire. Government, religion, medicine, and business are just a few of these aspects. In focusing on government, Vonnegut shows us a leader ("Papa" Monzano), who attempts to create a utopia, but just like in today's society, he makes promises to his people, and then fails to fulfill them. Ironically he allows the best for himself and his staff, while his people struggle. As well, Vonnegut attacks religion with his own creatively made up religion (Bokononism) which is nothing but lies. He shows religion and science to be contradictory where religion is based ...

Anthropologie

The findings in my survey highly suggest that it neither helps nor affects the brain while studying. Through the results of the survey it showed that both male and female grade averages vary from student to student and whether they listen to music or not has no relevance to their grade averages. In the results of the survey it showed that females have higher-grade averages than males in general, this may be because in our results it also showed that females often spend more time studying for test by 12. 6%. ore than males. Also the results showed that males listen to music more than females while studying by 18. 7% more. Although this survey covered all the basic questions that would be asked in the process of studying this topic it had several limitations to it. The participants that took part in this survey may not have been completely honest in their answers also it was a very limited amount of participants that took place in the questionnaire. Another limitation the survey would have could be the time period that survey was taken.Right now is tressful for teenagers with exams and work so answers could vary depending on the time period. The overall study of the topic and the survey itself is reliable because it is a valid topic to research for psychologists and sociologists. It allows them to expand on their research not only with the individual topic that is being surveyed but also an out look on how the mind ofa teenager works. It can also allow for the sociologists to visually see what the trends are for teenagers in society now and how much they are affected by it.At some points in the study it was eeing random answers on the page, then having to go and find other students to re- take the questionnaire to get proper answers. It was also stressful due to the fact of not knowing whether the students answered the questionnaire truthfully. At some points during the study it was very intimidating to walk up to random people and asking them to fill out the que stionnaire as well as having to explain to them what I'm studying and why. Conducting this study was also very enjoyable due to the fact of meeting new people and getting to see other peoples points of view of the topic.It was also very interesting seeing the results that came back from the questionnaire. If this topic were to be studied in the future, an experiment would give more reliable results because it shows the visually affect of the music on a person right there making the answers one hundred percent true, where as with a questionnaire the participants do not have to answer honestly. If another questionnaire were to be given out about this topic, there should be more descriptive questions on it as well as having a larger number of participants from each age group and gender.

Definition and Examples of Pro-Verbs in English

In English grammar, a proverb is a type of substitution in which a verb or verb phrase (such as do or do so) takes the place of another verb, usually to avoid repetition. Modeled on the term pronoun, pro-verb was coined by Danish linguist Otto Jespersen (The Philosophy of Grammar, 1924), who also considered the functions of pro-adjectives, pro-adverbs, and pro-infinitives. The grammatical term pro-verb shouldnt be confused with the literary and rhetorical term proverb, a concise statement of a general truth. Examples and Observations In its . . . auxiliary use, the relation of do to verbs is similar to that of pronouns to nouns: You could call do in this function a proverb. (34a) We want that trophy more than they do.(34b) Ill taste your raw-beet casserole if Fred does. In the first example, do stands for want that trophy, and in the second, does substitutes for tastes your raw-beet casserole. - (Thomas P. Klammer, Muriel R. Schulz, and Angela Della Volpe, Analyzing English Grammar, 5th ed. Pearson Education, 2007) Animals suffer as much as we do. -(Albert Schweitzer) A child needs respect as do we adults. -(Zeus Yiamouyiannis, Subverting the Capitalist Model for Education. Educating Tomorrows Valuable Citizen, ed. by Joan N. Burstyn. SUNY Press, 1996) Yes, sure, I like it. I really do. -(Robert Stone, Damascus Gate. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1998) Havent you heard? She thinks Im talented, I said dryly. I thought you did, too. - (V.C Andrews, Dawn. Pocket Books, 1990) Why, I must confess that I love him better than I do Bingley. -(Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813) I love him better than I do you and all I hope is that you will find someone that will suit you as well as he does me. -(Ruth Karr McKee, Mary Richardson Walker: Her Book, 1945) No one knows better than I do, or can appreciate more keenly than I can, the value of the services you have rendered me and the satisfactory results of your friendly interest in me. -(John Roy Lynch, Reminiscences of an Active Life: The Autobiography of John Roy Lynch, ed. by John Hope Franklin. University of Chicago Press, 1970) [I]ts extremely difficult to narrate something like, say, a murder or rape in first-person present tense (though quite a few of my students have tried). Doing so often leads to unintentionally comic sentences. -(David Jauss, On Writing Fiction: Rethinking Conventional Wisdom About the Craft . Writers Digest Books, 2011) Pro-verb Do as a Responsive The use of the proverb do as a responsive is so productive that it occurs even when do does not appear in the preceding allocution as in (19): (19) A: Well, you remember, say, the troubles round here you know {}(19) B: Yeah, I do.(Ulster 28) In example (19) the pro-verb do rather than the lexical verb remember is employed. Based on this evidence, it is therefore inaccurate to say that what is being echoed or repeated in the responsive is the verb of the preceding allocation. Clearly, it is the pure nexus or the pro-verb do (the nexus marker) rather than the predicate remember that is being repeated. -(Gili Diamant, The Responsive System of Irish English. New Perspectives on Irish English, ed. by Bettina Migge and Mà ¡ire Nà ­ Chiosà ¡in. John Benjamins, 2012) Pro-verbs vs. Pronouns I asked him to leave and he did. Did is a proverb, used as a substitute for a verb just as a pronoun is a substitute for a noun. This is intuitively very comfortable, until we take a careful look. Even though the pronoun is conceptually unmotivated it is at least morphologically motivated as a separate part of speech. But the proverb is in no way a distinct part of speech; it is just as much a verb as the verb it replaces. Now, of course, no one has said that the proverb is a distinct part of speech, yet certainly the intuitive satisfaction we get from it is directly dependent on the parallel with the pronoun, and if it werent for the pronoun the new term would never have found currency. So instead of having a coherent theory in traditional grammar, one whose parts are integrated according to well-motivated, carefully controlled principles, we have something that is built up by free association. -(William Diver, Joseph Davis, and Wallis Reid, Traditional Grammar and Its Legacy in Twentieth-Century Linguistics. Langu age: Communication and Human Behavior: The Linguistic Essays of William Diver, ed. by Alan Huffman and Joseph Davis. Brill, 2012) Style Note on Generic Do Sometimes, when writers are unable to think of the precise verb to complete a sentence, they simply plug in do; for example, They did the rumba rather than They danced the rumba. When it does not refer back to a previously used verb, do is not a pro-form. It is a generic verb, from the top of the ladder of generalization, and people often resort to using it simply because they are unable to come up with a more accurate verb, and do will suffice in most cases. Take, for example, the now popular saying, Lets do lunch. But because of its lack of specificity, do often results in lifeless sentences, and therefore writers should avoid using it (except as a pro-form of auxiliary). Used as a generic verb, do does not create textual cohesion. -(Colleen Elaine Donnelly, Linguistics for Writers. SUNY Press, 1994) Do and Happen The only members of the class of pro-verb are do and happen. These stand for any unidentified or unspecified process, do for actions and happen for events (or for actions encoded receptively, in some kind of passive form). Their occurrence does not necessarily involve an anaphoric or cataphoric reference. -(M.A.K. Halliday and Ruqaiya Hasan, Cohesion in English. Longman, 1976)