Psychopathology Case

Psychopathology

Psychopathology is the study of mental disorders. These mental disorders are identified by a clinically significant behavioral or psychological syndrome or pattern that occurs in an individual that is typically associated with a painful symptom or impairment in one or more important areas of functioning. It is important to classify mental illnesses for a few reasons; one is because knowing what disorders a person has helps to plan an appropriate treatment. The second is for legal purposes. The courts will use psychiatric diagnosis to assess whether a person is competent to stand trial or manage an estate. The third reason is for research purposes, to study different aspects of psychopathology and to evaluate treatments. The fourth is for economic reasons. To provide payments by insurance companies and health plans for certified cases of mental disorders.

Of course there are those who criticize these classifications. Thomas Szasz says they are a myth. He believes that authorities use these disorders as excuses to repress people who are different, people who violate social norms. He says these people have no mental illness, only medical labels that are used to justify their repression.

There are biological explanations for schizophrenia and other mental disorders. These are diseases of the brain. Something changes in the chemistry of the brain and it does not function normally. Genetics, tissue damage, or hormonal imbalances could play a role. Other factors that can alter the brain are viral infections, influenza, accidents causing trauma to the brain, and street drugs like LSD and PCP.

David Tagert is a man who suffers from severe paranoid schizophrenia. He is homeless and refuses any help or medication. He must be on medication to be in a program that will help him with housing, only he rejects the idea of medication. His disease causes him to be completely paranoid and suspicious. This has caused him to be homeless, but the fact that he is homeless has lead to the progression of his mental illness. He has no safe place in his mind. He was so ill that he became suicidal and his body was found only a week after the video was shot.