Psychotropic Mental Health Issues

This discourse discusses the impact of psychotropic drugs as treatment methods of mental disorders in relation to behavior analysis. The monograph expands on the topic of mental health and behavior analysis by discussing the influence of other disciplines beliefs and how this impacts todays understanding of mental health treatment. The discourse will also analyze the ethical issues that arise for behavior analysts in clinical practice in relation to mental health medication. Additionally, the academic critique will review the ethical obligation of behavior analysts based on the compliance codes. Furthermore, the research review will present a case study that highlights the past ethical discrepancies of using psychotropic and the potential ethical …show more content…
These physiological impairments include involuntary movements of the muscles, abnormal distortion in the lower half of their body near their pelvis, and abnormal locomotion. Upon removal of the drugs these symptoms are often irreversible and trouble the patient for the rest of their life. Certain drugs have been associated with the development of disorders which have their own side effects that negatively impact the patient. Furthermore, other drugs have even been associated with symptoms as dangerous as grand mal seizures and conditions put the person ask risk for an untimely death (Wong, …show more content…
However, even in a setting that is designed to help, such as in clinical practice, the use of psychiatric drugs by other professionals can provide ethical issues for the behavior analysis practitioner. The past history of behavior analysis in the realm of mental disorders and the current ethical struggle facing behavior analysts in this area can be demonstrated in the case study involving the implementation of the drug, Thorazine. During the time of the deinstitutionalization policy and the issue of overcrowded mental hospitals, a possible solution was in high demand. The power held by drug companies was depicted in this case as the proposed solution for the overcrowded mental institutions issue came in the form of a pharmaceutical treatment, Thorazine. However, the effectiveness of this proposed biomedical solution was questioned and lacked research that was valid and reliable in proving the drug’s efficacy. Even with the questionable research, the influence of the drug company led to Thorazine becoming a solution to the overcrowding social issue. The drug became so convenient that in half a year’s time, the drug was treating an estimated four million mentally ill patients (Wong,