Posted by shar on May 7, 2000, at 15:54:12
In reply to Re: Controversial issues, posted by Cam W. on May 7, 2000, at 14:09:46
I always liked what Thomas Szasz had to say on being sane in insane places. Where normal behavior is interpreted as abnormal. Shar
> > I am a university student studying a course in abnormal psychology. For an essay, I need a controversial issue. Does anyone have any ideas?
>
> Nancy - How about why stigmatization of mental health exists in an "enlightened" society. What causes the fear of the mentally more than the fear of someone with a physical abnormality than fear of someone with a non-obvious disorder like hypertension. Is this fear hardwired into our genes or is it just media and social prejudice that causes this phenonmenon. Or is it because that, deep down inside us we realize that we tread a very thin line between sanity and insanity (or even if such a line exists). One area to look at would be savants, another is to look at biochemical or structural abnormalities of the brain (Dr.Nancy Andreasen's "cognitive dysmetria". You could look at how stigma prevents people from seeking treatment, prolonging their suffering, and possible irreparably doing themselves some damage.
>
> Okay, so this is a thesis (or two), but I sure, if approached in the proper manner, could earn you a good grade from just one angle of this devastating effect of mental illness.
>
> Good luck and keep us posted on what you choose. - Cam.
poster:shar
thread:32651
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32665.html